Home's Cool Mama: Summer Rainbows

Opening Ceremony for a recent Swim Meet

It IS still summer. It's only mid-July. But John Robert is emailing his counselor regarding both he and his brother's still unreceived fall class schedules. I am buying school clothes for Spencer and Denver, and it feels like-- despite the heat-- our summer is nearly over. All the boys will be back to school this August, John and I are beginning new jobs, and I'm wondering how life flies by so quickly.

Only by scrolling through the photos on my camera do I realize, "Oh, Yeah, We have been doing summertime things!" We've had cookouts at the pool. Denver has been diving into summer swim league (his favorite!). There have been birthday parties, evening dinners at rooftop restaurants with my hubby, and lots of bicycle rides (though not nearly as many as last summer!). John Robert finally had his long-planned trip to Europe. He loved it. He also has his first real girlfriend. I don't love it.

Aynslee and John on a bicycle tour in Barcelona.

Okay, they really do look happy.

Spencer and Denver both enjoyed their summer drama camp. This was a huge surprise to us all! Thank You, Mimi and Paw Paw for encouraging and supporting the boys with this. Both boys have continued clarinet lessons with Mimi twice a week; and I love hearing them play music on Mimi's screened deck while I work outside two houses away.

How is it possible that little
Pencie is 15 years old?!

Spencer earned his driver's permit, and after a couple of lessons with his Dad, he has been driving all over Newton County with his Paw Paw every afternoon at 2pm. This is your warning. Spencer said he wasn't sure if he was doing a good job or if Paw Paw was just letting him fix his own mistakes. There would be no such uncertainty if I was riding with him-- and that's why it's better that Paw Paw does it.

A recent race to the finish with Denver in the yellow cap.

Denver went to swim camp at UGA for a week. He had a ball, learned a LOT, and came home fired up about swimming. He has continued to improve in all four strokes, and qualified for the Metro Atlanta County Meet and the State Meet. It is a joy to see him so happy and devoted.

Denver ready to dive during a relay.

There is news to report about John, too. He has begun his new job with a private owner and is in St. Louis for a month to get certified on the new, fancy Legacy 500. He is very excited about it, and we are hoping that after the training, he will be home more and have a more predictable schedule.

Standing with Kel before her first race!

In addition to Ironman training, I have LOVED training my rising triathletes. It is a joy to see others learning and appreciating what their bodies are capable of. One athlete just completed her first Aquabike competition (swimming then biking) and won Third Female Overall!, and we have two more triathlons scheduled. I am incredibly excited for them. The smiles and feelings of accomplishment are palpable. I hope to turn coaching into more than a one-time event. We'll see . . . . For now, I am preparing to become the Montessori Physical Education teacher. I don't know how that's going to be!

Where did the summer go? Where did my babies go? No more homeschooling. The homeschool room is slipping away. Denver is moving weight training equipment into our little library next week. I have loads of educational texts and art supplies that I know I don't need, but can't yet bear to give away.