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My boys would not think of throwing trash out the car window or leaving their left over chip bag on the sand at the beach. As a matter of fact, if we are out and they see garbage out of place, they will often pick it up and put it in the trash can. Since they were very small we have told them that it is wrong to litter and they should recycle. Why then, can you tell me, do they leave a trail of wrappers and juice boxes behind them all through our house!

I spend a good part of my day “reminding” the boys to take any food garbage items to the kitchen when they are done. It seems no matter how many times I tell them, I still find a straw wrapper on the floor or a fruit snack bag on the couch. I suppose I should require them to eat and drink in the kitchen, but the truth is, that would be harder on me than them. It would just be one more thing I would need to remember to enforce. Anyway…as they get older aren’t they supposed to be more responsible!? (Oh wait…..my husband is 36 and I don’t think he has gotten the clean up memo yet )

I clean their rooms, wash their clothes, make sure they bath and brush…I just feel like there should be a point where they can at least clean up their own wrappers. I am still not sure what angle I will take with this……something has to change or I may lose my mind Suggestions??

With school right around the corner, my husband and I decided on one last day trip…all four of us. We settled on Myrtle Beach since we could go and head back the same day. The difference between this and most of our trips is that we did not tell the boys what we were doing or even where we were going. We weren’t sure if we could pull it off, but yesterday, as we pulled into Ripley’s Aquarium….they were still clueless

One of our earlier trips this summer to DC

Jake has been wanting to take his dad to see Medieval Times for awhile now. I took both boys during the last deployment and ever since Jake has been asking for a return visit. Sam and I weren’t so keen on round two of the show, but Sam is never one to turn down a trip to Build a Bear. With our respective “dates” in mind, we set off for lunch in Wilmington and that was all we told the boys…..just lunch then home.

They really thought they were on their way home until we were about five minutes from Broadway at The Beach. I am pretty sure Sam got out of the car and thought he was in Jacksonville It was a fun way to end our summer and even getting home at 11PM was OK. We had time as a family and everyone got to do something they enjoy. We’ll have to make those memories last a couple of months now. School, football, tennis…….back to reality and back to work.

Did you take any last trips before school started? Have you ever surprised your kids with a getaway?

As some of you may know, I am a teacher. As most of you probably know…teachers don’t make huge salaries and we often need to purchase materials for our classrooms….out of our own pockets. I have done my shopping for my kiddos and we have all of the things we need to start the year off right. That said, I was looking for one last item…a luxury I suppose….I needed a coat rack for myself and my assistants. The other option would be to put them on the floor like I did last year

I knew I did not need anything fancy…used would do just fine. With that in mind, I posted on LeJeune Yard Sales. I said I was looking for a used coat rack and I would pay $15 for one. I was prepared to shell out the money and I was hopeful someone out there was looking to get rid of one. To my surprise, I got a reply that day and as an even bigger surprise…the gentleman who replied wanted to make me one…for FREE!

I told him I could not accept it for free, but he was clear that he wanted to do this for me. He stated that he liked to help the community, he had a wood shop and he made things for sale all the time. After a little more back and forth (and me pleading to pay), the rack was made and I picked it up this past weekend.

I felt guilty as I pulled away from his house with my free, handmade coat rack, but I really think he just wanted to help. I think he understands how hard teachers work and he saw a small way he could contribute to one classroom. Needless to say, I took a stack of his business cards and will tell everyone to contact him if they need anything made. I also made sure to explain all of this to Jake and Sam. I hope one day, they will see a similar opportunity to help someone and they will jump at the chance.

Have you ever had someone you don’t know reach out to help you? How did it make you feel?

I enjoyed reading fellow blogger Heidi Russell’s post about her Florida Gators. With college football season right around the corner, it made me think of our own household and our love of The Ohio State Buckeyes. My husband and I like to think our boys will follow in our footsteps and become alumni one day. Even more, we like to dream of them running onto the field at the Horseshoe as players. It may be a few years off, but we like to think it is in the realm of possibility

Even our dogs are Buckeye Fans....her vet made sure she had an OSU cast

Up until this past week, the boys had never played football. I am not ready to let them play tackle and they never showed much interest out in the yard…they would still rather ride bikes and build forts. As of last Monday, things changed and I think we may actually have two players on our hands.

I signed the boys up for flag football and they LOVE it! They had their first practice and both came home wanting to go back the next day. I realize it is not the same version the Buckeyes play but they can learn the rules, positions, ins and outs of the game and I don’t need to worry about my 50lb boy getting mowed down by a kid with an extra twenty pounds…it’s a win win for all of us.

We have two seasons ahead in our house now…..the Buckeyes start September 2nd on their way to an 8th national championship and our boys start Sept 11th with their Bengal teammates. I am not sure if they will go undefeated (or win any games for that matter), but I hope they have fun and learn a love for the game..playing or watching

Do you have a favorite sports team in your house? Favorite sport?

Jake and Sam don’t start school until after Labor Day, but I have already heard the laments “I don’t want to have to do the work.” Shortly before or after that I always hear, “I am glad to be with my friends again.” I suppose it is the expected reaction……that is why most kids list recess as their favorite part of the day!

Jake with his best buddy

The boys are heading into first and second grade. Neither of them will be loaded down with homework, but they know soon they will spend at least thirty minutes a day at the kitchen island to get what work they do have done and that will be AFTER their 6 hours in class I have warned them that it only gets harder with more hours of work, but like most 6 and 7 year olds, they live in the NOW and the NOW means soon there will be no more sleeping until 8:30 and staying up until 9.

I am working on getting them back on their school schedule and I am focusing on the “friend” angle. They both enjoy school, but the reality of it staring them in the face after months of no real work or schedule is hitting them. The next few weeks will be a bit bumpy but I am strapped in and ready to go.

Are your tweens looking forward to getting back to school?