I seemed to have "lost" a couple of months. Sam was born and there were many other things to do. I have spent the last several weeks going through the accumulated "stuff" in the house and garage of the last, almost, 23 years of living here. It has taken almost all my free time and the help of my husband, a daughter, my son, and a very good friend to plow through it all. It is certainly not finished, but at least now it is more manageable. We gave away a lot and put the rest in a rented dumpster. The dumpster was full to the top when it was hauled away. It is a good feeling to have some space back and to have things a little more organized--except now I can't find things. I am trying to stay on top of it so that it doesn't get in that kind of shape again.
The grandsons are growing by leaps and bounds. I actually made Sam laugh out loud last night. We will be spending some time with the kids this 4th of July and that always makes me happy. The parade, the carnival, a cookout, games and the fireworks will fill the day. I am so glad we have Sunday to rest up. The only little one missing from our family activities will be Kalub. He and his mom will be in Minnesota visiting the other grandparents.
I am always surprised that my children expect a certain kind of celebration for July 4th. The way we spent the day while they were growing up really does mean a lot to them and they want to continue the "tradition". Michelle is driving home from Denver and will arrive sometime today. Michael will also be back from taking Kristi and Kalub up north so that he can spend the 4th with us. We will have the usual kinds of foods--cook some meat on the grill, potato salad, rhubarb pie (homemade with the rhubarb from mom's garden), and other side dishes that everyone else will bring to share. The afternoon will be spent playing bocce ball, croquet, ladders, and corn hole. Corn hole is a beanbag toss game. At the end of the day everyone will migrate to our house and we will sit in the driveway, eat popcorn, drink lemonade and watch the fireworks. I am sure we will let the kids have some sparklers to end the evening.
It is always a good time. I am just amazed that the 4th of July came so quickly this summer. I guess with all the cleaning, throwing out stuff, etc. the time just flew by. It seems that the lazy days of summer are few and far between. When does it "slow" down? I need to make time to relax and enjoy.
