The kid's going to college. Pinch me.

The big fat envelope came today. Big and fat meant good news when I was applying to Things Academic, and apparently it still does.

Emily applied to the New York State Summer School of the Arts visual arts program for this summer, a four-week intensive arts curriculum at Fredonia State College. They only take 130 students statewide, so she kept her hopes in check, but I somehow just knew that her artistic talents would wow them, and she's absolutely thrilled to be getting this chance to explore her primary interest in an intensive setting.

The program begins on June 27th. This will be the longest, and the furthest, she's ever been away from us. It's a taste of her future, and of ours, as we grow into this new chapter of our family which will blossom even more fully after her upcoming senior high school year.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some buttons to sew back on.