Summer's end

Last weekend was the practical end of summer, for us. Not only did school start on Monday (more on that soon!) but the pools and the City Park Rides closed for the season.

Koopa's relieved the school year's started; he's exhausted from all the exercise he got over the summer.

Just before school started, the kids resumed lessons! Miles has elected to return to tap.

Look, new shoes! Both kids are up a shoe size from last school year.

Adele, inspired by the Olympics, has gone in a new direction: gymnastics.

She loves it. I've always known she would. Her cartwheels have already improved.

Last Saturday, we took Koopa to the Nature Center.

Jon took him for a bit while I got to see the raptors with the kids...

Hot, dry, completely blue-sky Pueblo day.

The kids and the dog got some relief in the river.

Cacti just grow here. Like it's normal or something.

Saturday night, Jon and I got to have a date! He'd won tickets to see Paper Bird at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center.

First, we got to relax in the garden while a babysitter dealt with our kids at home.

The band was extremely talented! Unfortunately, I was suffering with a headache, so it was a bit of a haze for me. But they're really good! And I feel strongly that I need to start dressing like these ladies.

At church on Sunday, Miles felt he had to bring both Goblet of Fire and Fellowship of the Ring. I'm just so happy about 7!

Sunday night: goodbye, City Park Rides! The kids and I did some reminiscing about our summer memories, and all that we have to look forward to in the Fall.

Allons-y!

Oh, there was a mermaid there for the closing day! "Is she a real mermaid?" they kept asking. I just kept saying, "I don't know. I have never seen a mermaid before."

They're sold.

The night before school began, Miles was in the bath and complained that his tummy was cold I gave him a washcloth and was suddenly misting over. He used to have the same arrangement when he was a newborn and cold in the bath.

Second grade. Sun rise, sun set, and all that. Give me strength.