I Miss My Summer! Whine, whine, whine........

So summer is here and I don't really get to have one!  Whine, whine, whine......  If most teachers are honest, one of the major reasons that they teach is so that they can have the summer off.  Not that teachers really take the summer off.  Most of them do several weeks of professional development during the summer, or take college courses, or spend the summer getting ready for the next school year, etc.  The point is that they don't have to go to work every day and if they do something, it is something of their own choosing - something related to their life pursuits, be they professional or personal.  This summer I chose to continue in my doctoral program and take 6 credit hours of coursework as well as continue with my graduate research assistant job (it is nice to at least make enough money to pay for my own tuition).  I am only about 3 weeks into the summer semester and am swamped!  Plus I am trying to make sure that Courtney doesn't spend too much time alone at home, paint the house, and unpack boxes from our move.  It doesn't really feel like summer to me.  It just seems like any other time of the year (except hotter).

One thing that is good about our new house is that it is close to the new rail trail and to a hiking trail in our community.  Courtney and I have been trying to go biking (sometimes I walk) most mornings during the week.  I forgot how fun it is to ride a bike.  If we go early enough in the morning we have shade most of the way.  The trail is pretty level with just slight inclines and declines.  The commuter train actually started running last Saturday so the train actually goes by us sometimes when we are out riding.  Hopefully one or our summer activities will be to ride the rail down to Dallas just to say we have done it!  Sounds fun to me. That reminds me that I need to sit down with Courtney and make a list of the things that we want to do this summer.  I usually do that at the beginning of the summer so that we have a plan for activities during the summer.  It's not quite the same doing it with one child, but it's still summer with the family, such as it is!  Whatever I can squeeze in between working, studying, writing papers, and preparing presentations that is!  Whine, whine, whine.........