July...

Has been crazy. Between vacations, school, visitors, more school, a heat wave, and the normal day-to-day events, I'm exhausted. My classes have kept me much more busy than I expected. I didn't realize they are condensed summer classes, so I'm doing the work of 12 weeks in 8. I'm not sure I'll do online classes again. I much prefer the face-to-face interaction. It's almost over and thank god. Then I'll have 2 weeks of rest before it starts all over again! If I have learned anything from this, it is the importance of going to school before you have adult responsibilities. It's bad enough to stress over an unexpected bill, forget throwing a 20 page report on top of it.

We spent 2 weeks in RI at the beginning of the month, and had a great and very busy time. I don't think we had a moment to rest, but it's just as well. There were still so many things we didn't do and people we didn't see, that we really could have used another 2 weeks.

Matt is walking pretty well now, and has finally accepted defeat over shoes. He hates them, but has stopped protesting by not walking every time we put his sneakers on him. I'm with you, man. If I could be barefoot all the time, I would. I have given exception for this heat wave though. The boys have spent most of it in their underwear. Again, would if I could.

And... happy birthday to Matt! We did a small family party for him this year. I realized a 1st birthday party is for the parents and not really the kids (after throwing 2), and he wouldn't care more either way. So he got a couple balloons, cake, a new car seat, and a few small toys from his brothers. it was a long day for him, so he ended up going to bed early. I hope the summer slows down a little bit. We only get a month of nice weather per year, and I need to be reminded of it so I don't lose it in the fall/winter/spring months. I know the gray is coming.