"What I Learned on Summer Vacation" by AJ

[in the "spirit" of the going back to work tomorrow...ugh...I've decided to write a 5 paragraph essay]

I learned many things over summer vacation. I learned more about money, I learned an undefined amount about Colin, and learned about myself.

Kev and I started to really dig into getting out of debt. We signed up for a debt management program and we're 2 payments into it and we're seeing our balances slowly but surely decreasing. We're going to start Dave Ramsay's Financial Peace University online this week to further our money smarts and hopefully progress through the program faster. We also started e-mealz and we're loving it! Most of the recipes are pretty good. There have been a few we didn't even attempt (pecan encrusted fish), a few we regretted attempting (sausage and crab gumbo), and a few we absolutely loved (grilled chicken and veggie tortellini, chicken lo mein). We're spending less at the grocery store for good food and a better variety of dishes. We're eating more veggies and trying new things.

Oh my gosh, where do I start to even delve into how much I learned about Colin this summer? Good gracious my boy is amazing. He kept me on the go all summer, and you don't hear me complaining about it. He absorbed so much knowledge this summer--about trucks, about play, about playgrounds (climbing, sliding, digging, getting dirty), about books, about so much more. He learned sign language with great interest. He's captivated when I show him new signs and loves to try them out. His vocabulary skyrocketed. He skinned up both big toes, fell down more times I can count, and got bit by mosquitoes just as much. He attempted potty training. He went to swimming lessons. He threw his fair share of tantrums, but very quickly learned that throwing them does NOT mean that Mommy will take him outside. Asking is a much better way. He's using his pacifier only for sleeping purposes. He is becoming so much more independent. At his new daycare's picnic on Thursday, he marched right inside with the rest of the kids to play a "go fishing" game while Kevin and I stayed outside with the rest of the parents. It was almost like sending him to kindergarten. No tears though :)

I also learned so much about myself as well. I learned how to handle Colin's more challenging behaviors in a calm, loving way. I learned how to stand my ground. I hope this carries out to the school year with my students. I learned that Colin can do more than I thought he could. He can help me cook by crushing crackers, he can help me pick up toys, he can put laundry down the laundry chute, and not because he has to do it, but because he wants to do it! It's fun! I learned that I can run. No more excuses--I'm doing it. I made a commitment and bought myself a pair of decent running shoes since I've been having a bit of ankle pain. I'm hoping the shoes will make a world of difference, and end up being a great investment in the long run (compared to a possible doctors appointment, physical therapy, MRIs, etc not being great investments). I'm not going to let the ankle pain become an excuse. I've even found out that there is a 5K in our town every MONTH from October through March that I may sign up for. I learned that I only want to teach summer school just through June next summer. My time with Colin is too valuable. The most important lesson I've learned about myself is that I'm doing a pretty darn good job of being a mom. It took 16 months, but I finally feel comfortable in my "mom" skin.

I am so lucky to be fortunate enough to have an entire summer to spend with Colin. What he and I learned together was incredible. Our relationship is full of more understanding and patience with each other. 301 days from now, we can start another summer together. I hope I learn more next summer than I did this one.