The Last Days of Summer

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of fun and activity for the McQueen's.  We managed to get in one more gorgeous summer zoo trip, one more visit to see GeeGee and Grandpa, and still get our back to school shopping, and first day prep done for Larger Child's entrance in to the big bad world of SECOND grade.  It's been busy, it's been wild, it's been a whole heck of a lodda' fun! 

This summer has brought with it some very unseasonably mild temperatures, which created one SPECTACULAR zoo visit early this August.  Usually by this time of the year, it is so darn hot that we don't even attempt zoo visits.  But, we went on a day with highs in the EIGHTIES! Took our time, and really enjoyed the visit and each other.

Larger Child and I also managed to sneak in a "date night" one night recently.  He had told me once that he had never had lobster, and it was really something he would like to try, there was also a sequel coming out to a movie we loved, so I thought it would be a perfect time to get dressed up, and head out on the town together.  I have to say he was a delight on a date.  Holding doors, full of charisma and charm, I am raising one fantastic young man right there!!

 

 Knowing that LC wouldn't get to stay over fall break this year, GeeGee wanted to get one more visit in before the flurry of school started again.  We happily obliged! Our last TX trip of the summer was full of fun and activity!

On our way out there, we stopped in Paul's Valley to see the Toy and Action Figure Museum (a must if you have boys.... or some girls too.) There is where I learned that I am not the "average girl."  That I am, in fact, kind of a "boy-ish girl" because I can name most of the figurines and super heroes that were displayed.  (Thanks LC... I think.)

The first thing the boys did when the got to GeeGee's was scope out the new beds she bought for them (a day bed with a trundle.) Their favorite part was the "hideout" underneath. 

And Mom made homemade pizza for dinner that night... LC got to help.

The next day we went to the Frisco Farmer's Market.  LC got a shark painted on his arm, I bought some delicious jerky for BBH, and a schnazzy necklace for myself.  We took a trip to the bookstore, and them Mom and I snuck away to get pedicures. That evening Dad grilled up the fresh veggies we bought that morning, along with some delicious steaks and fresh bread. 

 

Sunday we braved the heat and headed to the fairgrounds to check out their Summer Adventures Texas State Fair had put on this year.  This was a summer long program that opened some features of the big fair, geared to smaller children, the boys had a BALL.  (Until the heat and motion sickness set in.) But, we all survived and had a great great day!

the view from the top of the 500ft tall Centennial Tower
That is the Texas Star Ferris Wheel in the Background

Smaller Child's first solo carnival ride!

bubba's on boats!

and dragons!

and horseys with GeeGee

LC was FEARLESS this trip, he tried things I even refused.  When he strapped himself into a bungee I was thoroughly impressed.

playing in the spray park

we had a hard time getting SC out of the water

that guy.  he nearly ruined my day.

LC rode this one twice... in a row... it is one of those that spins so fast the centrifugal force pins you to the wall as the floor drops out.

and then he wondered why this happened...

on the Texas Star

no fair trip is complete without carnival prizes!

The following day, I took LC to the local water park.  He had never been down a water slide before, and I knew with the total lack of fear from the day before, he was going to have a blast!! We did too.  It was a great great day! Loved spending the one on one time with him, and enjoying that experience with him for the first time.  So. Much. Fun!! A day I will ALWAYS remember, and probably goes down in the all time favorite days collection.  (LOVE YOU LC! and thanks Mom and Dad for watching SC for me.)

Tuesday, Dad took most of his grandkids (FOUR OF THEM) to the movies to see Planes.  He's a brave brave man, and one of the BEST if not THE BEST Grandpas to ever live (though I had a couple pretty fabulous ones myself).  He let them all pick out a candy, and make their own icees. From what I hear, the movie was great, but the experience was greater. What fun! Mom and I spent the day doing a little girly shopping, and torturing SC in the process. He's not the best shopping accessory.  But he did manage to get a piggy bank out of the deal.  With which he proceeded to greet Grandpa at the door asking him for change.  I suppose I am raising a pan handler.  But, hey at least he's pulling his weight. Ha!

We went home Wednesday, and it was hard.  I have a feeling it might be a few months before we see them again.  Those boys adore their grandparents, I'm pretty fond of them myself.  But we had to get back for information day at LC school, and to get ready to get him off to Second Grade. 

He found out he had the teacher he was hoping for, Mrs. Priddy. (Pronounced Pretty) How CUTE is that??  Which made the excitement over the first day even more palpable.  The last day of summer, I asked him what he wanted to do.  He said he wanted to go to the park, so we loaded up and took off.  As soon as we got there, the social butterfly that he is, LC ran off to make friends, while SC and I tried to traverse the big toy obviously made for older children. 

BUT, LC had fun... and that was the point.  On the way home, we ran by the video store, and he rented a video game to spend the day in luxury and excess... playing games, watching tv, relaxing and eating junk food.  Bacchus would have been proud.

This morning was the big day.  He picked out his clothes, got ready, ate breakfast, and was good to go.  I took a minute to do our tradition of drawing smiles on eachother's hands to remind one another that we were there and thinking of the other.  I took his height, and took the "standing on the porch with backpack ready for the first day" pictures. 

(SC wanted one too)

 

why yes, that does say 4'4 and a half

The drop off was pretty unceremonious.   There was a quick prayer, and a kiss on the cheek, then a "bye Mom." That was it.  No gushing.  No professions of missing, loving, etc... not like the years before.  Part of me was so so so proud of the brave strong grown up little man he was becoming, part of me was crushed.  (I ain't gonna lie.)   With a sigh, I drove off, SC in the back seat saying "Bye bye Bubba!!!" over and over.

And so, another summer is in the books. This one was full of adventure, vacations, smiles, laughs, and love.  There was also some screams, yells, and threats of death or torture.  But, hey, that's parenthood.  That's summertime.  That's boys. That's me. That's life. And mine... well, as I've said before it is BLESSED!!