The same week our daughter went to gymnastics camp, our oldest son went to his first week away at camp with the Boy Scouts. I have to say I am so impressed with the Boy Scouts. Our son has learned so many valuable life skills through his years in Cub Scouts and his months as a Boy Scout. And I am super thankful for the troop he is in. There is a great group of guys there, both in his age group, and in the older guys.

Every year the majority of the girls at our gym attend gymnastics camp together in Pa. In fact, even some of our coaches go. Our oldest daughter has been wanting to go for years. Last year anytime I would say, “Guess what?” or “I have a surprise for you,” she would always respond with, “I get to go to camp?” Seriously, every little guess what and surprise suddenly seemed like a let down.

The reoccurring anthem playing in my head lately seems to be, “Oh my! How did that happen already? They are growing up before my eyes!” Whether it’s taking my oldest to a middle school youth group event, packing my oldest two for their first week away from home at camp , or watching my youngest learn to ride a bike with no training wheels, over and over I find myself asking, WHERE DID MY BABY GO?

Truth be told I don’t homeschool b/c I love teaching. I am not that mom who stays up late looking up cool lesson plans to do with her kids. I don’t spend my summer reading books for the next school year. I wish I was that mom. I often feel guilty that I am not that homeschooling mom. Truthfully, the homeschool days are tough. I mean we have our good moments each day, and those precious moments are what carry me through the L.

We celebrated my youngest son’s 5th birthday with a Panda Party. When I was prepping goody bags earlier in the week, my 9 year old came up with a suggestion for the party. She suggested I make bamboo sticks by dipping pretzel sticks in green chocolate. I loved the fact that she wanted to contribute to the party and was eager to celebrate her creativity. So, I went to the store and got the supplies for her bamboo sticks.

This week my baby turned 5. He was so excited. He literally started counting down the days about 5 days out. “Then it became after this day after that day is my birthday.” The day before his birthday he told me he wanted to fall asleep early so his birthday would come sooner. We kissed him goodnight for the last time as a 4 year old and sent him up to bed.

Scott taught him on Sunday evening…. and on Friday morning he did the whole thing entirely himself. Got it out of the garage, started it up, mowed the ENTIRE back yard and put it away. Wasn’t this just yesterday?

Our oldest daughter has been wanting to learn how to start a fire and how to use a pocket knife. And Daddy has been looking for an opportunity for a little one on one time with his kids. (a truly rare gift with 4 kids). Sooooooooo an overnight camping trip was planned to make both wishes come true. The look of excitement when he told her his plan was priceless. And I loved watching her pack her stuff for their night away.

Even though I have lived in MD for 30 out of my 35 years, I am not really much of a Marylander. Can’t stand the taste or smell of crabs or any sea food….stepping foot on a boat sends me into an all out panic attack, and I am a die hard Steelers fan. However, the one local tradition I fully stand behind is the Blue Angels show every May. Growing up I only recall watching it from the field of our high school, as they soared overhead.

This past week was insane. We had our year end celebration night at the tutorial on Thursday. This is the night when they proudly display their science and history projects, as well as present the recitations they’ve been memorizing all year. This meant that Tuesday and Wednesday were spent feverishly working on completing those projects. Throw in 2 trips to the pharmacy for strep throat medicine, practices, May the 4th celebrations, and Scott working overtime… and you result in one messy house….