Summer is Coming to a Close

This morning I saw the big yellow bus drive past our home.  Our local school system is collecting kids for their first day of school.  The school district where our church is located went back last Wednesday.  The tiger lilies are long gone.  The zinnias are almost spent.  And I think that I have seen the last of the overabundance of zucchini from the garden.  Tonight is my first planning meeting for our homeschool group's fall semester.  Yes.  Summer is coming to a close.

This year Josh and Matthew were in the last full session of swimming lessons.  Two weeks of splishing and splashing in the cool morning breezes.  It was unseasonably cool this year for swimming, but that made it more enjoyable for William and me as we waited during lesson time.

Here are Josh and Matthew on Fun Day...the last day of swim lessons when they can show off what they've have learned.

Paul took off the day and the weekend so that he could see the boys swim and we could go camping!

My swim lesson buddy.  He drove the boys and me to swim lessons every morning.

 I started at Josh's pool this year and watched all of his newly acquired strokes...

I was able to peek across the pool to see Matthew with his class...

 After their class time, they had free time.  Matthew wanted to give Josh's big pool a try.

 I think I was trying to talk Matthew into dipping his head under the water here.  He's still pretty hesitant.

But he showed me all kinds of other tricks!

The audience...

I cannot remember what Matthew was explaining to me here, but he looks pretty serious.  Just look at those eyebrows!

Paul enjoying the start of his three-day weekend...

Matthew and his very patient, very knowledgeable teacher, Anna...

Josh and his super-sweet, high-fiving teacher, Adrienne...

I really enjoyed this summer, as short as it was.  I had no transcript worries, a thriving garden, and a happy, content family.  The Lord has been good to us through sunshine and rain.  We are happy to be enjoying the sunshine right now and are looking forward to the adventures that await.

And fall.
Did I mention that I am looking forward to fall?
It's my favorite!