Dear August

Dear August,

I'll be honest, you are not my favorite.  But, it's not your fault that you come after two months of slow mornings with coffee and a book, midweek adventures, poolside fun, and weekend trips/vacations.  It's not your fault that you happen to have 31 grueling days of heat and humidity. It's not your fault that you bring on back to school stress and anxiety.   It's not your fault that my bank account is wiped out because Target has the cutest decor for my classroom. (Ok, maybe that one is on me.) It's not your fault that you have zero fun holidays. It's not your fault the Romans messed with the calendar and moved you from the sixth month to the eighth!

I wonder, do you ever get envious of June?  Glorious summertime could have been yours! You have a tough act to follow and I'm sorry. My family has had a blessed summer. I'll share with you some pictures from a few of our adventures. .

 I got to travel to Washington, D.C. and watch some of my students compete at then national level of National History Day.  It was our first year competing and they advanced all the way to nationals! What a ride!

 My boys and I took a day trip to the Nashville Zoo. I had never been, and the giraffes were so cute.

 My Dad came for a visit and we toured the ark. Like, whoa, it was big.

 We walked in Abraham Lincoln's footsteps, both at his birthplace in Hodgenville, KY and his home in Springfield, IL. What a remarkable man!

 I survived a Build-A-Bear workshop experience.  I'll just leave that one there.

 My boys and I enjoyed days in the sun by the pool.  Watching them swim and hearing them laugh just puts a smile on my face.  I'm just so lucky to be their mommy.

 We enjoyed family and friends as we celebrated our nation's independence. Which is kind of a big deal.

 Lincoln achieved a score of (probably) 215 at Maggie's Jungle Golf:)  Shadow was so helpful!

 We spent a weekend in Franklin, TN looking at shops, eating yummy food, and listening to Bluegrass music.

So, August, how can you beat all that? Again, you are not my favorite, but, I need you. I am grateful for you.  You help put things in perspective.  You bring me back to a job that I love.  You remind me how precious time with my boys is while they are young.  You help me look forward to cooler temperatures, pumpkins, and Christmas.  You are needed just as much as June and July are needed. So, thank you.

Not so affectionately, but respectfully,
Amanda