Seriously, last time I posted I had all the time in the world to get ready for the cruise Now, it is time to do a bunch of stuff to be ready to go. What you ask, well, finish magnets for one (for the love of GOD the ever loving magnets. While I want to do them they are now a crux to my very existence! Stuff in general... Get tuxedo fittings - yeah, not necessary really, but hey I love my kid and he LOVES how he looks and feels in his tux, so a fitting we will go! Power converters... Don't get me started... You saw/read how I was with VAT (which I still am unclear about - but will get receipts EVERYWHERE so I can participate in the scheme). Oh, what else you ask... Well there are documents to print, tastings and adult entertainment to arrange and MY entertainment too! I am seriously worried that I will not enjoy my time in Barcelona because I am trying to make it perfect. Quick - someone come and slap me! My kids do NOT have to have perfect vacations, and truth be told - they have never had one! But it is OK that they know it isn't perfect. I need to repeat that over and over. This is the last big vacation I think we will have with Stephen - who is entering 8th grade. Once in HS, I have the feeling that we have lost this time, and fall break will be filled with wrestling or baseball and family vacations will be a thing of the past. And that sucks. I want him and Becca to enjoy vacationing together. UUGH...
Oh - have I mentioned how proud I am of my big kid? Stephen has been a CILT and has done the teen X program at our outdoor YMCA. He has grown to a level that I didn't think was possible at this age. He actually tells me the best part of summer was seeing younger kids succeed. Somewhere along the line I did something right. I'm not sure where it happened, but hearing my kid talk about 8 year old catching fish and being able to complete a long hike - and seeing the pride in his eyes makes me proud to be his parent. God has smiled on us, and I have never felt so proud of him.
Becca is also amazing me. She broke her arm and didn't really skip a beat. She broke it goofing off at the gym and still managed to go each day (camp) and learn more. She has become a better person for it - and has opened up to others. It has been a good summer. I can't explain it, but if you are on the WBTA and you see me shed a tear while watching my kids, think back to this and understand... They are either getting along and being great, or my bubble is bursting as they are fighting and being awful...
My kids are great - just not always to each other...
More later int he week - I need to tuck in a 6 year old and hug a 14 year old... School starts in a week... UUGH!
