Goodness, that was a productive weekend! We kicked it off with the first cross-country race of the season, followed by hosting a team dinner at our house for, gosh, I think 45? I didn't count. It was a lot of tacos. And stinky sneakers. But it was wonderful, and wild too, to watch a new group of freshman girls and boys join the fray, remembering my own little guy who I swear just started high school yesterday. But no, now he's embarking on his last year on the team, as captain, and writing college essays in the meantime. I've grown to love this sport that he loves, and while I can't bring myself to use a cowbell as seems to be the cross-country parent norm, my cheering voice is getting louder. Just in time to wrap it all up.
After the flurry of that fun, we dove into a full-on home family work weekend that felt oh so good. There was at least 3 cord of wood stacked, and plenty more cut and split for drying. I spent a good deal of my time up in my little sewing nook, making some more new clothes for the kiddos. Ani isn't the only one starting school for the first time this week. Harper is too! He'll be entering fourth grade at the same school as Calvin and Ani. He's a little more nervous than she, but we are all so incredibly excited for him. He's going to just blossom in his place there, I am certain, and I can't wait to watch it. He is, however, going to need some new clothes. His fondness for athletic wear just doesn't quite match the dress code required, but oh, that's just a perfect excuse for Mom to make some new things! And thankfully, he still indulges me. Thanks to one of your recommendations, I found the Parsley Pant pattern and it's the answer to all of my sewing needs for this guy. So many great options for pockets and waistbands and shorts and a million other customizations so that it doesn't feel like the same pair of pants over and over again. A great construction and easy pattern, and he loves them! I made a few, one pair of shorts, and need to make some more (I think some fabric shopping needs to happen first). While the machine was fired up, I slipped in a few more dresses for Ani - the classic Suzanne and Geranium that I'm so familiar with, I didn't even need to search for the pattern instructions. (I went heavy on the Robert Kaufman Essex yarn dyed linen/cotton blend, it's just so hardy and wonderful drapey.)
And so with some new duds, we all await the big day (tomorrow) with a whole lot of anticipation. And this morning! This morning I sent Ezra off, my new sophomore! He had his guitar strapped on his back for band practice after school, and a sleepy face from adjusting to the school morning schedule once again. By the end of this school year, he'll be driving himself to school, and well, wow. I'd tell time to slow down if it weren't that all the things that keep coming are just so good too.
