School Days

Our kids started up school on Monday with the rest of Woodstock.

Do you get anxious about school starting up? My wife has homeschooled for 2 years so this was a big change for us. No teacher can ever measure up to a mom who loves her kids and teaches them. But so far we are happy with our kids teachers and the school. And our kids are happy too.

Like some of you, we don't like the end of summer. We will miss baseball with the kids, train trips into Chicago, vacations, July 4th, and the warm weather. But there is something to be said for school, schedule, discipline and looking toward fall. Another season is on the way (as we also notice from the low 70's temps this week), and life moves on in our beautiful city.

Proximity

I may have mentioned this before, and I certainly will mention it again. One of the things I love about Woodstock is our proximity to great stuff. For example, we are a short trip away from the city of Chicago and all it offers. But we also have proximity to outdoorsy stuff. In 15 minutes we can find our way into Wisconsin and the great outdoors.

On Monday I drove to Ace Hardware in Woodstock to buy, for the first time in my life, a fishing license. A Wisconsin fishing license to be exact. Then my buddy Dan brought me, his dad's boat, and some KFC up to Lake Geneva. We got a dozen suckers (that's some big bait) and dropped a few lines in the water looking for Northern Pike.

I came up empty, but Dan pulled in three decent sized Pike. They were too small to keep, but it was still fun.

But the best part of the trip wasn't the fishing. It was time with a good friend on gorgeous summer August night. The temperature was perfect and the sunset was beautiful. It's one of those nights when you remember that recreation is more than passing time. It's re-creation.

Now, if I can just land a fish next time. :)

Swim Lessons

Our three oldest kids have been in swim practice for two weeks at Woodstock Water Works. This is their third summer involved and they love it. A few observations.

1. Good teachers

One of the teachers who has taught our kids in the past is Garrett. He's a young man who is just as likely to get attacked by an invisible shark as he is to teach the kids how to swim. Garrett isn't one of our kids' teachers this year, but he's still around and still as loud and fun as ever. He's a natural teacher who identifies with his students, and his students love him for it. Our kids have had their share of great teachers.

2. Good students

There are few things as cool as noticing how your kids are maturing. It's a real joy as a parent to see your kid go from a daydreamer to focused, or from a struggler to competent. We are very proud of our kids as improve and grow and learn to stay afloat and actually swim from one place to another.

3. Hotness

Sheesh, what a week to have a heat wave. Trying to sit in the sun for two hours during swim lessons is not as simple as it seems. You have to put sunscreen on your sunscreen and towel off under your shirt. The kids got to stay in the water and cool off, but the parents were sweating it.