Half way into September!

Well,  school has been in session for a whole two weeks now.   This is the last year of having a child in elementary school.  Such a milestone in his/my life!   Already a big project and a speech done.   A big change for my son, he has been taking his lunch everyday except Friday.  Letting him buy lunch on that day.   Last year I let him buy everyday and he didn't always  make the best choice.   I noticed him getting a belly and getting tired easily.   He's 12.   We have been getting out and riding bikes and playing catch a lot more the last few weeks and eating better.  Home made lunches and green smoothies after school.   I can already see an improvement!  

 Middle Son is in his last year at Junior College, it's seems he just graduated from high school!  So proud of him.    He is planning to study-abroad this summer and I am so excited for him!  I wish I'd had that experience.  But sadly college was not something I was encouraged to do when I was young, although I did go on my own after I was married.   But studying abroad for a summer was not an option with a husband!   Middle Son is quite an artist in a few mediums-photography, ceramics and painting.  So he has chosen to go to Florence, Italy.   I will probably be worried about him the whole time he's gone but what an experience!  And thank goodness for the technology now adays, smart phone, skyping, etc.  (I think)  to check up on him.   On the other hand, I probably won't get hand written letters or postcards like I did when my favorite cousin went to Italy to study.  But at least I'll have peace of mind : )   

Oldest son has been on his own for a year and a few months now with the same roommate.   I'm proud of him for making it work for a year, when I was his age I had 3 or 4 roommates in one year.  Girls are harder though I think as far as sharing a place and getting along.  He's had the same job for two years now also.   I wanted him to do college but he needed to get out on his own, work and find out about stuff on his own, his that kind of kid.  Now at 22, he is talking college again, realizing it might be important.   I'm trying to keep quiet and let him figure this out.  But I am excited at the possible change in thinking.  But he is also the kid that, as soon as he thinks his parents want him to do something red flags go up for him.  He is definitely my difficult child but he has my heart.  They all do, of course but he taught me how to be a mother and about that special kind of love,  he was my first.

September is one of my favorite months, the clean slate feeling of a new school year, the change in the weather, all the holidays on the way.