Kody's Summer Journal

Kody's summer journal, (printed with permission) from first day of summer vacation.

Everyone went to bed that night...then only Mom got up, went through 'the routine' and left. What's this??? No one else is up??? Went back to bed.

This went on for a little while. Then they were all here...in and out for a couple of days...all gone all day for a couple of days. All are here for a few more days. In and out. Geez!

Everyone went to bed. Everyone got up really early. Too early if you ask me. Everyone left. Only three of them came back. What's up with that? You forgot someone! Where’s Morgan? Go get her. I’ll help you look. She should be in this room, but she’s not. Maybe in here? Here? Outside? I’ll wait right here till she gets back.

Mom’s going through ‘the routine’ again. But only Dad and Kendra are here. I’ll keep waiting for Morgan. Everyone left again. All day – again. I hear them in the driveway. This stupid gate is in the way. I could just hop over it and greet them at the door, but I know I’m not supposed to, so I’m being good. Now I really want to hop over it…4 of them are home! I’m so excited. I knew if I waited long enough she’d get back.

Now we’re all here. I feel better. Wait – what’s happening? I see the suitcases again? Now who’s leaving? Not again! I hear something fun and familiar. My harness – my leash. I Get To Go Too! Well – I guess getting in the truck won’t be so bad. I can keep an eye on everyone from there.

Fun times camping! I even went into the water to play. I guess that water wasn’t so bad. It was very refreshing and really kinda fun, but don’t tell anyone. If they find out I liked it, I might have to be wet more often! And I really don’t like that hose thing. We got home again – all of us. Boy, it’s hot. I had forgotten.

Everyone went to bed. Everyone got up really early. Too early if you ask me. Everyone left. Only three of them came back. What's up with that? You forgot someone! Where’s Kendra? Go get her. I’ll help you look. She should be in this room, but she’s not. Maybe in here? Here? Outside? I’ll wait right here till she gets back. Déjà vu? I seem to remember this from before. If wait long enough, they’ll all leave and come back with her.

Another suitcase? This isn’t how it’s supposed to go! Did you get my leash? No? Three of them walk out…two come back in. Where’s Dad? When’s he coming back in? I heard the Nitro leave…I’ll wait. Nope, he didn’t come back in. Mom and Morgan went to bed. That lump next to Mom isn’t Dad. I checked. I guess I’m the man of the house for a while.

Mom’s going through ‘the routine’ again. Morgan is up. I wonder why? Mom left – Morgan is here. I better stay right next to her to make sure she doesn’t get away. Another da yof 'the routine' and another and another. Now they left. They Left! Crap – they’re hard to keep track of. I’m really getting tired of this! I’ll lay here and wait - again. I hear the car…The door is opening…how many are back? One…two…Three… where’s four? There’s supposed to be four of you! (I can count, you know) For now, I’ll just be really happy to see Kendra. I really missed her. (Her bed was quite comfortable, though.) So I’ll wait some more, and Be The Man.

How much longer? It seems like I've been missing Dad for amost a week! Wait - I hear something. There’s Dad – There’s Dad – There’s Dad! And he brought Frosty’s! Yea, Dad! One…two…three…four. I can rest.

Mom got home from work today. There are suitcases again…now what? Everyone left me – again! There’s the door…Dad. No more? Now there are three missing? Dad went to bed? With three people missing? Oh well - I'll lay here and make sure he trips over me if he tries to get away.

Just the guys are hanging out. Kinda nice - just the guys. I hear the Nitro – could it be? They are back? Well, there’s Mom…and - and – and? No one else. Where did she take them? When will they be back?

Mom and ‘The Routine’ some more. At least I know that when she’s here, that’s normal. Dad is here with me. That’s really nice - just the guys some more.

I hear something…voices, and toe nails? Doorbell. Mom opens the door – They’re Home! And they brought Grandma, Grandpa and ZOE! Hi Zoe! Let’s pee on the carpet and go outside and play. If we’re good, they’ll let us out in the living room with them. Try. See if you can. I can’t either.

The four of them are in and out some more. So far so good – no one has been left anywhere. They come back with bags. Smells like new shoes, new clothes, and paper. Maybe – could it be? Back to school? Darn it – I was just getting used to having someone home with me all day, and now this? School?

I wonder if I remember that routine? As long as they all come home before I go to sleep in the dark, I’ll be happy.

This has been one crazy summer!