Today marked the end of the first week of the beginning of Allie's senior, and Stacia's junior year, of high school. A funny story about THIS fact....we do summer school. Stacia had a couple of upcoming 1/2 credit classes to get a jump start on. Allie had one class to get a jumpstart on and a couple last catch up classes to finish....so we worked through May and June.
July began with guests and Krista's wedding, it ended with guests and dip netting. Allie's online course cut off on June 31st . We had to re-register before she could continue. It seemed a July break would be perfect. I noted Stacia continued to work on school. I was impressed with her dedication.
I've been observing an odd little look Stacia gives Allie when I mention break being over....and the rolling start of our school year. Last night we were talking about school and I mentioned this was their first week of school. The look manifested.
"What does the look mean?"
"School starting is a bit of a sore point."
"You don't want to do school? Why?"
Um - it appears Stacia missed the memo (I really don't KNOW how) that we were on summer break in July. We were well into July before she figured out why Allie was sleeping in without comment from me, and why she was the only one concerned with school. ::snort::
Poor thing - not sure how to make that up to her. LOL
Not only is this the beginning of the school year... it is also the end of Allie's summer job. She has worked seasonally for the past two years at Yukon John's - frying and selling pork rinds...you'll see them at various gun shows, craft shows, and the State Fair. Nice people. She introduced us to pork rinds this spring. I'll probably never eat a pork rind without thinking about Allie.
Stacia suggested a tea to celebrate all these beginnings and endings... I am always up for a tea....we had fun prepping. Grandpa was interested and was invited to the tea table. We picked Allie up - she was suitably surprised by our impromptu celebration and helped with the finishing touches. The candles did brighten the gray day...well, candles and giant light bulbs.
Michael came home and accepted our invite to sit a spell. Arielle and the boys popped in while we were sipping away....they were quickly invited to the tea table.
Arielle had the audacity to point out a couple of my birch leaves have yellowed. It is NOT fall. It IS summer. But....in the midst of this tea I remembered....we first began our family tea parties when assigned at Elmendorf AFB. The winter days are long. We broke for a quick tea every day...from where ever the kids were...they'd settle in at the table and we'd talk about studies, reading, plans, games....just a fancy after school snack really. It's at that assignment I first learned to like tea.
 |
| Introducing a new generation to the tea table |
And so - with a new winter approaching...we will reinstate our family teas...maybe not every day...but often enough. The way the table grows...who knows what fun we may have during the winter.
The changing of seasons is exciting...challenging if the long one ahead isn't your favorite...but I'm being reminded to celebrate the endings, the beginnings, and to EMBRACE the change - even if it's winter.
Today, I am happy to re-discover something pleasant to anticipate as the season changes....
We had planned to meet Jamin this evening to try out his paddle board and get a few pointers. No, we don't have paddle boards...but we may at some point. LOL Today has been rainy and dreary. We've switched gears and he is on his way for pizza and a movie instead. It's good to flex with the seasons as they come - especially at this time of year in Alaska. LOL
No comments:
Post a Comment