So long summer 2010…. We’ll forever hold you close in our heart for you were the summer that we welcomed dear sweet, squeezable number 4 to our fold. We enjoyed your lazy hazy days as we spent time playing in our back yard and splashing in our pool… We enjoyed time with family We caught our first keeper… and enjoyed time on Nana and Pop’s boat.

Woa Dad! What are you thinking? Your starting him on your fantasy team?

You may or may not have noticed that lately, I haven’t been blogging much. I can’t put my finger on why exactly.   It’s not his fault… he is super easy going. And it isn’t due to lack of fodder… the circus crew provides me with a never ending supply of bloggable material. But, my days have been “more full” lately. Our schedule includes home school, tutorial, gymnastics, soccer, (and cub scouts starting soon).

The cool crisp mornings we’ve had lately signal that fall is near. So, this weekend I made good on a summertime promise I made to the kids. We carried out the folding table and chairs…decided on a fair price for our product and made some signs. While the kids began chanting “25 cent lemonade,” I quickly stirred some country time and water. They eagerly watched for cars and walkers and when they saw them they’d enthusiastically wave and chant.

I do not consider myself to be either creative or crafty. And most of the time I am ok with that. Even though my mom and grandma are both talented seamstresses, I’ve often joked that I missed out on the sewing gene. The truth is that sewing seems to require patience and an aspiration for perfection. And for me, close enough is usually more than good enough. But close enough doesn’t seem to work when sewing, b/c you kinda want your dresses to be straight and your sleeves even.

There are many familiar and epic battles out there. At the circus, I am often subject to reading, watching, and even role playing in such battles over good and evil. Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker fighting for the future of the galaxy. Spiderman and Doctor Octopus dueling over the city of New York. Optimus Prime and the autobots verses Megatron and the decepticons in their fierce battle over the fate of earth.

It’s been one of those days… please tell me you know the ones…took the circus crew to the pediatrician’s for my 3 yr old’s check up. One would have thought by the amount of shrieking that took place in the hall that we were attempting to tie her down and give her 30 shots, when really we just wanted her to take her sandals off and stand on the scale. From that humbling spectacle we were off to the grocery store.

Tonight the kids and I were enjoying a walk at the Naval Academy when we spotted a statue of their mascot, the goat, which prompted a rather comical discussion. We talked about how the goats are the navy mascot, to which my 3 yr old responded, “But mom, goats aren’t scary.” I then said that the Army is afraid of them b/c when they play each other in sports (not war) then they are against each other and don’t want to lose to them.

I clearly remember the first baseball game I attended with Scott. A coworker had given him the tickets and since we had no plans, we thought, “Sure, why not?” As we drove into Baltimore and hit traffic, Scott was in disbelief, “Could this be game traffic?” He asked. “I had no idea this many people liked baseball.” Yea… clearly, we aren’t big baseball enthusiasts. But, thanks to my oldest son, my children are.