The Cutlers' Rollercoaster Summer

I sit here tonight, as I typically do on my last night of vacation, feeling... well, everything.  But somehow this year, everything is magnified.  What a summer we've had - the good and the bad. 

We started off the summer with absolutely no plan.  No reservations, no house rental, just the gift of time together, and intentions to make the most of it.  And that we did!  We went to Maine a lot, which was nice.  It's hard to be anything but relaxed by the lake - very easy to keep one's priorities straight.  And Nicholas just loves it there.  He reminds me of myself when I was little!  Our weeks in Maine every summer are responsible for some of my most prized childhood memories.  Swimming, walking in the woods, trips to Freeport, berry picking - who needs Disneyland!  And the sunset... unbelievable.

We did also manage to do some other fun things.  We went to Delaware with the G's, which was such a great trip.  The kids had a ball riding bikes and splashing in the water.  We also went with them to Maine for one weekend, and took a day trip to Storyland.  I've decided that Jenna is Nicholas's surrogate sister.  They fight like cats one minute, then can't keep their hands off each other the next, hugging and smooching away...  Ahh four-year-olds - they're never boring!

Nicholas also went to camp this summer!  He went to Camp Sloper for a week and absolutely loved it.  He walked in there with his backpack slung over his shoulders, lunchbox in hand, and smelling of sunscreen.  Of course we were all emotional about it, but he didn't think twice.  He is getting so grown up.

But perhaps the best times of the summer are the ones I don't have pictures to document.  Picking vegetables in the garden, bike rides up and down the street, walks downtown to get ice cream, reading books in bed, playing rescue bots for hours at a time - these are the times that will stick in my memory.  It's amazing how different this summer was for him.  This summer, hanging in the yard with Mommy just wasn't cutting it.  There was less time swinging on the swingset this summer, and I don't know if the cover ever came off the sandbox.  He was much more interested in playdates with friends, playing spy with the walkie talkies, and going on bike rides.  You know, big boy stuff.

In a few weeks we will be back at school and back into our routines.  We will be getting to bed earlier, waking up earlier, rushing around to get meals and groceries, and squeezing as much quality time as we can into the two measley weekend days.  Yuck.  Nicholas will be turning 5 soon.  Yikes.  But I guess it's okay because the other day he told me, "Mommy, I'm never going to move away.  I'm going to live with you forever - even when I'm a grown-up."  Sweet, isn't he?

Ugh.  It's getting late and I'm running out of things to say, so to all you teachers out there- Happy New Year!  Here's to a year of good health and happiness for all.

The Graduate

 Last week, my little guy graduated from preschool!  He did such a great job singing with his classmates and accepting his diploma.  We were so proud of him.  He grew so much this year, and looking at his file of work from the year, we could really see how far he's come.  He's growing up so fast - I hate it!  Great job, Nicholas!  You have made us so proud and we love you more every single day!

Tough Guy

So...it had to happen.  Today Nicholas began his day with an epic wipeout on his bike.  He has only one speed - warp.  And we tried to warn him that at some point, he'd crash, but it didn't slow him down.  Apparently he smacked into the fire hydrant and took a nasty tumble into a neighbor's driveway,  Poor little guy.  He's got scrapes on his elbow and knee, but is handling it like a trooper!

A Milestone Day...

OK... How many of you out there can remember the first time you rode a two wheeler bike?  I can!  I was on my "Cactus Flower" yellow and white bike with the banana seat on Crissey Lane.  Mary had her hand on the back of the seat and was running behind me... or so I thought.  I got halfway down the street and when I looked back at her, I realized that she wasn't there, and I'd been riding solo the whole way.  It's a moment I'll never forget.

A month or so ago, I was in a panic because Nicholas was not at all interested in riding his bike.  He was absolutely petrified of falling.  He was relying heavily on the training wheels and was at a constant tip.  He wouldn't even get on the bike without crying.  So, while in LL Bean getting him a new helmet, I mentioned this to the salesman in the bike shop.  He told us about a new concept in kids' bikes - it's called a Glide Bike.  It's a bike with no pedals.  They had one in the store, and Nicholas was flying around the store in no time!  The seat on the bike is low enough so his feet touch the ground.  This way, he can catch himself if he starts to fall.  His feet are both propelling and stopping him - he's in complete control.  So, we immediately ordered one for Nicholas and within 48 hours, he was gliding away - feet up, happy as a clam with perfect balance.  In fact, he was getting frustrated on our street because it's so flat - he wanted a hill to get some speed!  How could this be??  And more importantly, why the heck didn't I think of this genius idea?!? 

Well, today Nicholas saw his old bike in the garage and wanted to give it a try.  And this is what happened.  What an amazing day. We are so proud of our little dude...