Two Facts

I present to you, my dear friends, two indisputable facts for you today:

(1) I am no longer cool enough to be seen with my tweens walking to the middle school bus stop.
(2) And that is just fine with me.

Today was the first day of school - Jack's first day of 8th grade, and Ellie's first day of 6th grade. They're going to the same school, which is awesome, and so they take the same bus. But I was informed by Ellie this morning that it would NOT be acceptable for me to walk with her to the bus stop. Allegedly, I am just not cool enough at this point.

And you know what? That's absolutely fine with me.

Because
(1) I would have thought the same exact thing at her age
(2) I'm incredibly proud how mature and independent my wee little babes are becoming
(3) Some mornings, it's gonna be cold, it's gonna be rainy, i's gonna be hot and humid - and Mama Lydia won't have to schlep to the bus stop.
(4) Pants? Who needs pants? I'M not going to the bus stop - no pants needed!

See? It's a win-win!

Happy first day of school, Jack and Ellie!



P.S. - Although we did not walk them to the bus stop this morning, we did just HAPPEN to be walking the dog at the same time and in the same vicinity of the bus stop. Merely coincidence, I tell you!

Loving Lake Life

Look at this guy - he's a man in his element.

Jared, who grew up on boats and skis, has been dying to get out on a boat again. So, as an end-of-summer celebration, we took a weekend at Smith Mountain Lake.

Jared had a blast zooming around Smith Mountain Lake, and the kids couldn't get enough of tubing and swimming.

Ellie overcame her fear jumping off the high dock, and I managed to not soil myself watching my little babies jumping off something WAY too high, thank you very kindly.

And the kids went a whole three days without electronic devices, which might be a record.

Ellie had no fear on the tubes, and won the record for the most air time with some true acrobatics

Jack might have had the best wipeout, which likely took a couple of years off my life

The kids had a blast playing with their cousins Natalie, Ryan, and Paige

And Jared and I managed to get a little bit of adult time in as well with Peter and Robyn

So, bravo, to Smith Mountain Lake, for some good-old-fashioned summertime fun

Pretty in Pink

Lookie here! Miss Ellie has pretty new pink tips in her hair in preparation for school.