All I can hear is the hum of the dryer as it chugs away on the third load of the laundry mountain. No kids, no teasing, no whining......ah, it must mean that school started back up today. Oh yes, amid the whines this morning of, "I don't want to go back to school!", I tried to be appropriately sympathetic......"I know, honey, I understand...." . And out the door they went.
It's been a good vacation, though. Much less of the constant snarking at each other--more games, more movies together as a family, more visiting with each other and even some Dad interviews that have long been put off. 
Last night for family activity, we played one of the games we got for Christmas called Evolution. It was the popular choice at the local toy store. We split into teams and had to starts as "Primordial Ooze" and finally evolve to Super Humans by answering questions. Fun game....a lot like Cranium.
We also had our annual Time Capsule Family Home Evening. It's always a hoot to see what the kids wrote down for their strengths, weaknesses and resolutions last year. Some goal were achieved, some weren't. Best of all, though, are the self-portraits the kids draw on the backs of their papers. These are priceless. Since we've been doing this for more than ten years, we've seen these change from preschool drawings to more elaborate renderings and the kids love looking through the goals scrapbook I put them in each year. Harder to achieve are the family goals we set each year. Usually they are partially achieved, though, and we continue to work together on them. The kids keep wondering when the goal of "3 week trip to Scotland" is going to be added to the list. They suggest it every year.
