Wild Things (but they do make our hearts sing!)

Benji (at left) starting his first day of 3 year old preschool, with big brother Danny who began 1st grade this week too.

Well summer has finally started making a turn into autumn. We still have some warm and muggy days, but this week both boys started the new school year which is a sure sign that fall is almost here. I guess they are not really "wild things", but they do have their moments. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but we do find ourselves wondering how Danny can tune us out so consistently when we are talking to him. But then again, maybe all 6 year olds are good at this? Benji is a little force of nature. Decisive, demanding, persistent. Those traits should come in handy someday, but they are not always fun to deal with come "night, night" time. But what can I say? We adore our babies. Gulp. Toddlers. Gulp. Little boys. What's next? I don't want to think about it!

We had a good but very busy summer, so I don't mind settling back down into the regular routine of school. We are very proud of these two and and look forward to a great year.

As far as other things go, we are in the midst of a couple of projects. We repainted our living room over the summer and this fall are making a pretty big investment in a central air conditioning system and a new screened in back porch. Both are good investments in terms of resale value if we ever did decide to sell (not thinking of that now) but in all honesty, both of these things will make our house more comfortable and functional so we are really excited about them. Central air takes moisture out of the air which is awesome in high humidity areas AND, added bonus, no more lugging window units up and down every spring and fall. And as for the porch? We unfortunately have LOTS of mosquitoes where we live in DC so having a screened in place to hang out on a back porch will be wonderful.

All is well otherwise. For the first time ever we are all on the same medical insurance thanks to the DOMA ruling in June, which is great. Let's see...? We are going to a fun wedding in Pittsburgh at the end of September. Seeing our friends LT and CT get married is going to be very moving. And it happens that the hotel where we will be staying is just minutes from where Susanne went to high school and it's their homecoming weekend, so we are going up a bit early to enjoy some of those festivities. So overall we've got a lot to look forward to in September.

My best friends Dave's little twins will also turn 1 in September so our favorite Peace Corps buddies will also be coming together to celebrate at a little gathering at our house. We try to get together every few months and it's always a blast. The only downside is for Su and all the other spouses is that they "get" to hear the same old stories from our Peace Corps days (in the 1980s in Guatemala).  It's gotten to the point where they actually correct us now when we retell them (hmmm...memory loss?) ;-) Anyway, I can't wait to tell more slightly incorrect stories very soon!

I always promise to be better about keeping up with my blog. And I always fail. But this time will be different! I promise! I will post 5 times in September. Promise. Hasta la vista! -Monica