So, I’ve kindof gone underground for the past two months. There has been lots to do on the home front. We were out of town until July 10th, and when we returned, we had to orchestrate installing our landscaping. We purchased a new-construction home in Maple Grove last March (a suburb about 15 miles from downtown Minneapolis), which came with a yard of dirt. The builder gave us a landscaping budget, but we had to organize the installation. And, true to my “get-a-deal” self, I had to stretch every last dime. But, phase one of the landscape is in, and I am so relieved. I tend to get hyper-stressed about projects such as these and cannot calm down until they are complete. It’s ridiculous; I know. Doug kept reminding me that it’s just dirt and plants.

School starts on September 4th. I’m nervous. In part, I just don’t want to give up the free time I’ve had over the summer. But, I also know what I’m getting into in terms of work load. Last year, I entered the race blissfully ignorant of how much work it would entail. The good news: my schedule is a bit lighter this year. I am taking one less class both fall and spring semesters in comparison to last year. This will make a HUGE difference. Not so much during the semester, but at the end, when all the seminar papers are due.

Otherwise, we have spent the last of our summer days teaching Collin how to ride a bike without training wheels and pump on a swing. My perverse parenting style told him that ALL first graders must enter the start of the year with two fundamental skills: riding a bike without training wheels and pumping on a swing. We have mastered the first, but he still has to figure out the rhythm of pumping on a swing. Collin, the literal child that he is, has taken my caution to heart and is determined NOT to start the year with a handicap. My plan was somewhat foiled the other day at the park when we ran into a neighbor whose daughter is starting first grade at the same school, and she informed me that her daughter has no desire to learn to pump on a swing and that’s okay with her. Collin, who overheard the conversation, asked me, very confused, if they knew about the first-grade entrance requirements. I tried to brush off his inquiry with a distraction, but I’m sure it will resurface. At that point, I have to decide if I’m going to level with him or continue the dramatic executive order.