Did your teacher ever make you write an essay on your first day of school entitled “What I did on My Summer Vacation?” I never had to do that in any class, but it seemed to be a common theme in tv shows, comics and movies. I think I was jealous of the kids who got to write one of these essays because I always had so much to talk about when I came back to school. As an adult, I don’t necessarily have a summer vacation, but I still did a lot with my family these past three months that’s worth writing about.
I became a certified arborist. I’m not state certified or anything like that, but I’ve learned about hundreds of different varieties of trees, shrubs, bushes and flowers and have helped my husband plant 11 trees, 15 shrubs and bushes and a variety of flowers as well. So therefore, I am a certified arborist. What once was (just 3 months ago) a barren, rock-filled yard is now a lush (and quite weedy) lawn with actual foliage. I pulled more muscles and ached in places I didn’t know could ache with all of the planting we did, but I am so proud of us for doing it ourselves!
I taught Audrey how to hold her breath underwater and she taught herself how to swim underwater. Though the weather wasn’t necessarily the hottest we’ve had, we did manage to frequent local pools and beaches and get as much swim time in as possible. As a last summer hurrah, we went to The Wilderness Resort over Labor Day weekend and swam our little hearts out. We swam so much, Audrey not only took a NAP at the hotel, but fell asleep with the tv blaring in the room at night.
We went to church festivals, carnivals, county fairs, and rode the kiddie rides for the first time. Audrey was finally tall enough! We went to a Brewer’s game and did some tailgating and taught Audrey the words to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. I, of course, had to teach her “Root, root, root for the Cubbies”, but that’s what this Chicago girl needed to do. I just told her not to sing that too loud at Miller Park.
Last week, as the summer was winding down, we met Audrey’s teachers and her classmates at her new preschool. I watched her cautiously go up to one little boy and listened proudly as she said ‘Hi, I’m Audrey. Wanna’ be my friend and build towers with me?” She now calls Dylan her best friend, though I don’t think he actually ever answered her. Tomorrow she starts her regular schedule at school, and though I’m looking forward to those 2 ½ hours of “me” time, I’m also a little sad to see her growing up so quickly.
On Sunday we welcomed the new season (though scientifically we’re still in summer) by apple picking at The Elegant Farmer. We also took the Electric Railroad from the Elegant Farmer to East Troy. We explored the square in East Troy and then treated ourselves to ice cream at the coolest (no pun intended) ice cream shop in Wisconsin, Lauber’s. Seriously, if you have never been to this place, it is a must see.
I’m sad to see the heat of Summer leave, but I’m looking forward to what the changes the Fall will offer, what Winter will bestow upon us, and the newness Spring will certainly surprise us with.