we invited some families over to celebrate back to school.
they brought the ice cream and we provided all the toppings.
my kids were so excited.
they helped prepare everything and clean up the yard and house.
earlier in the day annie shouted out to the gas station attendant "WE'RE HAVING AN ICE CREAM PARTY!"
he smiled and said "well....that sounds like fun"
one kid (not shown) decided to just have a bowl of candy with whipped cream....no ice cream. :)
it was loud with kid craziness.
we had every age...1 month up to teenager.
chaos at it's best.
good old fashioned summer fun.
everyone ate their ice cream, talked and played and the sun began to set.
as soon as it got dark we watched a movie outside.
we watched UP.
i really love that movie...i tear up every time.
even at my party in the dark on my lawn.
we laid blankets and pillows and kids piled everywhere.....pure lovely to see.
(after i took this shot i went inside and closed my blinds and dimmed the lights...fyi.)
our first try at an outside movie was a success.
i can't wait to try it again.
in the fall without mosquitos will be fun too.
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school starts tomorrow.
will i be able to do it without crying? we shall see.
and by the way...the crying at school would be a huge first for me.
i see those moms every year & have always thought "what is your problem? you've got some free time - move it!"
but this year with my baby going and leaving my arms empty....alone to figure out who i am.
i want her to go and i want her to grow and learn and love it.
but i am still on the fence about this whole Mother of Children role i have now.
instead of Mother of Babies role that i told myself i had.
yeah....i am aware i haven't had a baby for five years.
don't rub it in.
it just hadn't really set in so hard until this year.
we have a permanent solution to not producing babies in my womb.....so wishing for babies isn't going to help.
i may cry at kindergarten drop off.
and i may not.
i know that i am going running as soon as she goes in the door....maybe i should be crying about that.
i haven't run since june 24.
except once....but it was pathetic.
i have teased annie "how can you grow up and leave me her all alone?!"
and then i fake cry.
she said "oh mom....YOU CAN SEW!"
true true true.
