The Last "Dog" Days of Summer

The boys start school tomorrow! They are very excited and I must say, so is their Mamma! They have done an excellent job of entertaining themselves and not fighting much this summer. At the beginning of the summer, they were given an incentive: for every 40 books that Cade read to Eli, they would receive a surprise...sometimes big and sometimes little. They tore through the books, I am telling you! We lost track of how many, but I think it was close to 200! Not bad for an almost second grader! They received prizes like going to Playworld, Jump Zone, getting a box of Popsicles, and taking a trip to the Dollar Store. I really liked how this worked out and will definitely do it in the future. Maybe next year, even Eli can read to Cade!

At breakfast this morning, I told the boys that tomorrow was the big day. They met their teachers yesterday at Open House and can't wait to go back. Since Eli is starting Kindergarten this year, I am not struggling...it is only half day...and I will see him plenty in the afternoon. Yeah! Anyway, Cade informed me that in 3 years, once Sam is in school, I will be all alone. As an 8 year old, he didn't really notice that I didn't want to head down that emotional road, so he continued, "Will you be all right?" It hit me hard. I told him that we could always have another baby, but then he said that once that baby started school, I would be all by myself. Ugh, no arguing with this kid! He then proceeded to tell me that 3 kids were enough and that we would have no need for a girl in our house. Arg. Maybe we can just let God be Sovereign and let Him decide what is best for our family! (And besides, Cade would eat up a little girl; he is so tender

and caring.)

So, today is our last day of "summer!"