Yesterday Lil’bug and I stopped at the mall to pick up a pair of trail shoes for Scout to take to camp. Scout has baseball practice three nights this week, weather permitting, of course, and he and H are going to see the Yankees v. the Mariners on Thursday at the new Yankee Stadium. So there isn’t a lot of time to take him (and his feet) to go chasing down a pair of shoes. I had called ahead, and while they didn’t have any boys/kids shoes in the style and size we needed they did have a pair of ladies. We’ve done this before. His school shoes are a ladies, size 6, so I figured we’d be able to pull it off again. Wrong, we’ll be returning them tonight. And they don’t have the next size up, so we’ll have to order them, shipping times permitting, or spend part of the weekend chasing trail shoes.

What does it say about me that I’m inspired to write about an anniversary that is not about my marriage? Last month H and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary and the day went unmentioned here. I took the time to tweet it. That should count for something, right?

Last year I chronicled one of my Summer Fridays, bullet style. For some reason it continues to attract a lot of attention. Go figure. I love the summer Fridays that I get to spend with my kids doing stuff that we ordinarily might not do. Here’s the latest example:

Every year about this time we’re treated to a parade of big, loud motorcycles. I guess they call it a rally.

Gooch’s Garlic Run is sponsored by the Blue Knights NJ to benefit families of children with catastrophic illnesses. They meet up at the mall and ride Route 80 to Route 280 to the Holland Tunnel for fried calamari in Little Italy. Which only slightly oversimplifies it. The important part is that they probably raise about $20K to help parents help their children. (and some nincompoops have the gall to complain because they’ve been inconvenienced for oh, about 20-30 minutes, gah!)

Most years I get stuck in rubber-necking westbound traffic. It’s one of the only times I REALLY DON’T MIND being stuck in traffic. Occasionally, I’ve been home, with my feet up, hot and exhausted, when I heard the roar of the engines out on the highway. This year I decided to sit back and relax and enjoy it. You know, live in the moment, not worrying about where I need to be and what still needs doing before I lay my head down at what will probably be a too-late hour.

Because you all are probably not following me on Twitter or Facebook. No pictures today, so if that’s what you’re here for, move along now.

The weather last month? just ugh! And because it’s been cold, and rainy, and overcast, and wet we haven’t had much time to enjoy the warmer temps usually associated with SPRING! and MAY! It felt more like April, which felt more like March. ugh!

So, after church on Sunday our first stop was the PLAYGROUND! (Ok, so actually it was Starbucks so I could enjoy an iced coffee while the kids enjoyed PLAYING! OUTSIDE! TOGETHER!) Over the cold weather months our first stop after church was the McDonald’s near us with the PlayPlace. They get to eat and then play…and expend some pent up energy. Then we go home and take a nap. Nap after lunch is Lil’bug’s preschool routine and we try to respect the routine on the weekends. It also gives me a break to do laundry, or go grocery shopping, or get a haircut, or sit and do nothing…without ‘help.’

The kids are getting big. TOO big! Then I’m reminded that they’re still kinda’ small.

For example, when Scout started cub scouts I thought he was so small next to the second year Webelos. Then he was a second year Webelo and he looked so gigantic next to the new Tiger cubs and the Tiger cubs look so small and it was hard remembering when he was as small as they are! Now he’s in boy scouts and he’s small next to the older scouts, it’s hard to imagine that in just a few short years he’ll be that big!

It’s not helping that he’s playing on a Little League Majors team. All of his teammates are a year or two older than he. About half the team is 12 and will be graduating out at the end of this season.

Many pictures after the break. Would not recommend proceeding unless your service can handle it!

Sometimes I think it will never end. Then I remember and worry about the day it does.

Lil’bug: When I’m big like a mommy/grown-up … (insert whatever she just saw).

…I can have a pocketbook like that. …I can drive. …I can pay the lady at the window.

Every other sentence these days starts, ‘When I’m big like a mommy/grown-up…’.

Here I sit, faced with the official start of the summer season. I find myself reflecting on summers gone by. Highlights and low. Successes and failures.

Last year about this time I made a to-do list for myself. I didn’t have any delusions about actually accomplishing everything on my list, but I hoped to get something checked off. I wish I could say I consider my attempt successful. While I did get a couple of things accomplished, I wish I could have done more.

Let’s face it: #1 is never-ending
#2 is too hot, too cold, or too buggy.
#4: I recently sold a couple of things that were taking up space, this I am extremely happy about. There is much more to do.

#3 & 5: I have no excuse, except I’m lazy.

#6: ongoing, oh the battles!

I won’t make the same mistake this year. Yes, I will try to accomplish something around the house by the end of the summer, maybe pick up the list where I left off last year. I’ve also started a new list here:

I belong to a women’s group in my community. Our main focus is to plan activities for the women and children in our community. We have a budget line in the community budget to cover the expenses associated with kiddie parties and hospitality and snacks and seminars and all of the other various things we do.