Vacation Done, School Begun

Yep, my last post was 4 weeks ago. What have we been doing? The lake has been tops on the list, but we've had a little head lice, bat murder, school starting action as well. Yes, you read that right. Just to clarify and avoid America's Most Wanted, that would be the brutal killing of a bat (hairy, flying mammal) not a murder in which the weapon was a baseball bat.

So, the lake. First it was Lake Maxinkuckee in northern Indiana. We (girlfriends and I and kids) have escaped the suburbs for Sarah's family cottage for the past 6 years for a week of every summer. This year we let the hubbies come for the first couple of days. Then we sent them home - just in time for an 11:30pm appearance of Mr. Bat.

There were 5 women with 5 unlikely weapons (a laundry basket, a swimming noodle, a broom, a towel, and a cover-up), 10 sleeping children, and 1 very ugly bat. I had no idea bats were so disgusting until I had to tangle with one. Oh, and there was a video camera too! Sarah caught the final act of violence on tape for the world to see. Needless to say, I was given the title of Bat Slayer and I don't even feel bad about it. That's just how ugly they are. I don't even care that they eat mosquitoes. Seriously.


The next lake was my parent's place in northern MN. Lovely weather and warm water were highlights here. Cousin time was plentiful and my kids caught fish and swam like fish. Sophia, the trooper, loved the water wherever we went! No fear at all, and that's probably not awesome when you don't know how to swim. Hopefully by next summer we'll be able to let her actually walk off the dock!

Back in mid-July, most of the family had head lice, which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Thank you, summer camp, for sharing such an enlightening experience. I can't believe how much I learned. Seriously, lice are a pain, but on the up-side, I got to spend hours and hours with my kids as I peered through their very thick hair. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Roux for helping us with that mess.

Finally, yesterday my kids went back to school. "WHAT! how can it be? Is it that time already?" you're thinking. No, actually it isn't. School starts in the middle of summer in Indiana - August 11. Just because school started, doesn't mean it should have. We are surviving, but just barely. The 95 degree days has me convinced that there is something wrong with this system.

Sophia is adjusting back to routine. She's crabby a lot right now, which is probably our own fault for messing with said routine so very much lately. She continues to be particularly fond of me and would prefer to always have my undivided attention. As we are not supposed to isolate her (like put her in her room/crib) due to possible abandonment issues, we are looking for creative ways to eliminate whining and promote independent play. Any ideas? Share, please!

In this photo of her and Marcus, it's pretty clear how she feels about the start of school. I get it, Sophia. I get it.