Just checking in...

So, I thought I was back. I made an effort, wrote down some words and felt good about getting back to blogging. And, well..that was now a month ago. Hmmmm... I need to try harder.

Today I have nothing deep or philosophical to offer but I do want to check in real quick. It is a lovely day in the great North. The birds are singing, the sun is shining and I am diggin' the time I am spending with my boys today. Mack and I just took a bike ride/walk, me doing the latter, and enjoyed some QT together. He told me he needed some "time away from Pierson" so I obliged. It was delightful having 25 minutes together completely uninterrupted by the musings of the little brother. We decided that we'll do this together every Sunday. I hope we really do.

A quick funny story to share. While on our little jaunt I asked Mack what I should pick up as a gift for one of his friends who will be having a birthday party next weekend. Mack told me that Damien really likes Army guys. I said "So, maybe some GI Joe guys? Does he like those?" Mack slowed down a bit and looked at me warily and said "Hmmm..I'm not sure if he knows about those, you know he just moved here from New York City and, well, he's new and everything and he may not know about GI Joes". I simply nodded and did my best to keep a straight face. It was so cute and truly brought me back to the realization that at almost 7 years old, my big boy is still my baby and still has that precious innocence that I know won't be around much longer.

Speaking of Damien and birthday parties...tis the season!! Mack has made some nice new friends at school this year and so I have been surprised that he hasn't had many birthday parties to go to. Well, apparently all of these friends are spring babies because, wow, the invitations are flooding in! He had 2 parties in April and now has Damien's (which by the way should be very cool; his mother rented out a movie theater for a showing of Night at the Museum) next Saturday before his own birthday party on June 6th. We are quite excited around here about the Ninja party that has been planned at the local Martial Arts school to celebrate Mack's 7th birthday. He and 7 of his classmates (and that pesky little brother of his) get to take a "Little Ninjas" class and then play some supervised, high energy ninja games all before Mack, being the birthday boy ninja, gets to break a board with his hand or foot in front of all of his friends. He is so excited! I am too because the whole party will be somewhere other than my house and will take, at most an hour and a half. And that includes pizza, cake and presents. Yeah!

I'm looking at the calendar today trying to figure out our summer schedule and as I notice that Memorial Day is already next weekend, I am so quickly reminded how fast it will all go. I'm going to try to take it easy, one day at a time, and enjoy every minute of it. I plan to "sit and sip" with my friends on my porch as much as possible. I plan to golf at least once per week either with my husband, my parents, friends or a golf league I have joined this year. I will wear sunscreen daily and try to preserve what's left of my "young" skin. I will do the loop at least once a day with my kids and anyone else who wants to join us. I will jump off the boat holding hands with my boys and I will go under. I will try to get to the Farmers Market at least once per week and I will prepare some fabulous meal with my findings. I will beat Peter at tennis this year, if it kills me. And, I think I may hire a cleaning person this summer, to help me make sure I in fact do all of those things I've mentioned above all while not living in filth. These are just some of my summer goals. The windows are open and I'm breathing in the chilly but fresh spring air. I am so ready. Bring it on.