A Real Midwest Beach

So this is the mighty Lake Michigan. We went to White Dunes State Park and couldn't believe how great it is. Now we can get our beach fix anytime (minus the big waves and delicious smell of saltwater). The kids ran right into the water, and then ran right back out again. It was 56 degrees. I went in and can honestly say that I've never been in such cold water in my life. Some places you get used to the water over time. In Lake Michigan, you just go numb. Still, the water was clear and the bottom was sandy. And the kids just went back in over and over. I think they finally warmed up when they got under their covers last night.

We stayed until the sun went down, loving and appreciating every last minute of summer. Some of the leaves have already changed color here and with school starting tomorrow, it's really over. My mom has always said, and now I say it, too, that her two favorite days of the year are the last day of school and the first day of school. When I was young, I thought that meant she was glad to send us off to school again, but now I see that it's a new beginning and a new adventure every year. Lizzie will be in first grade and Anna is starting her second year of preschool. I feel like my girls are growing up way too fast. We wish we could just freeze time and keep everyone where they are right now.

Today we bought Lizzie's piano books and this afternoon we get to go meet her teacher and see her new classroom. We'll also take all her school supplies (including her High School Musical folder which a friend convinced me wouldn't damage the teacher's perception of my daughter) to put in her VERY OWN DESK. This is huge for Lizzie, who was relegated to tables in kindergarten and can't wait to have a little bit of personal space this year. If our computer stays put and keeps running tomorrow, I'll post the pics of the first day. It has been acting very funny, every once in a while just going black and not responding. Who would have dreamed that a four year-old computer would be "too old?" Anyway, I feel lucky to be able to get this posted.