Take a Deep Breath

Back-to-school in New Jersey went like this -->

Day 1

* Emma wants to wear a black, tulle skirt on her first day at the "big school" - nope!
* RAIN = boots, umbrellas, raincoats..help?!
* Henry immediately runs off to join a huddle of his 3rd grade "peeps" - I remain embarrassing
* Can we possibly do this for 180 days I wonder???

Day 2

* Emma appears quiet, shy, timid - tough on the outside, soft on the inside
* William gets a huge hug from his "lady friend" & tells me "I'm just visiting school."
* Printer runs out of ink before I can print giant stack of back-to-school paperwork :(

Day 3

* 5th grade drama from Grace: "Mom, NO ONE wears this type of shirt."
* My cheerful, enthusiastic "have-a-great-day-at-school voice" has become a barking, shout
* We are collectively ready for the break the weekend brings

Tricia

"Take a deep breath and walk through the doors

it's the morning of your very first day." ~ Taylor Swift

Back-to-School Dinner
Summer seashells with "good luck" messages.

Photo Friday No. 31

Tired after the first day of preschool in

New Jersey

Loving the J.Crew ballerinas here in

Pennsylvania

REPORT

Hey sister, I'm glad to be back as well.  I think the newsworthy story is this crazy weather we've been having ... earthquakes and hurricanes and now torrential rain for days ~ yikes!  Enough said (for now).

As mentioned, my kids started school yesterday.  I'm sure what I have to say is pretty much the same for everyone.  But for us, Kate started kindergarten and I have a funny picture to share.  For starters:

JACK: 7th grade ~ Very excited for the school year to begin.  He used last year's backpack and he wore last year's clothing.  I felt guilty so I went shopping yestserday over lunch (the store lines were way too long this past weekend).  He is a trooper.  I asked him a million questions about his day and got about one answer. 

MATTHEW: 2nd grade ~ This one is my nervous nelly.  And he just cannot be bothered with school.  He did sit with his little sister on the bus and he knew a couple of kids in his class which helped.  He always says "I don't like school" and I say "but school likes you!".  And it does.

KATE: Started kindergarten!!!  Very exciting.  She could not wait to get there, for real.  We picked out a navy blue sun dress.  Found out 15 minutes before leaving the house that the shiny silver sandals do not fit!  Switched quickly to hot pink sandals which barely fit.  Puffy orange back-pack was ready and so was she.  She declaired yesterday the best day ever.  And even made up homework for herself when she got home.  Love it!

And for me, I was happy because they all seemed happy.  Here are some photos (take special note to the last one).

JACK

(notice it is still dark out!)

MATTHEW & KATE

(notice the umbrellas - lots of rain!)

Photo taped inside of Matthew & Kate's pencil boxes

(notice anything in this picture?)
 

 

Surprise, Surprise

Everyone loves a surprise..well, almost everyone. Imagine my surprise when I discovered me&t up and running again! Yippee! I missed me&t, but most of all, I missed the back and forth banter between two sisters, not to mention the writing and photos. And, as a double surprise, I saw me&t received a "facelift" over the summer. Honestly, I can't stop smiling. :)))

Now that we're back ~ let's get down to business. I have a summer FULL of adventures, photos, quotes, books, projects, fashion, and fun to share. Better yet, I can hardly wait to hear what the summer held for my sister. Where to begin? I will part with a photo of Block Island. It is the photo I will keep in my mind when things start to get a little busy/crazy/dicey around here as school starts.

Welcome back!!!!

Tricia

PS good luck to Kate, Matthew, and Jack as they start school today. I hope kindergarten is ready for Miss Kate & her new, puffy backpack. Go Zephyrs!

REVEAL

Welcome back my friends!  me&t ended up taking the summer off mainly due to some computer problems (slow to get it fixed).  We have lots to say but first, I have some unfinished business.  I owe you the outcome from my patio project (refer back to my June 28th post).  I was going to post a ton of pictures but I got creative.  I finally attempted to make a photo book on Shutterfly.  Here it is enjoy!!!

Tracy

P.S.  Getting ready for school ~ first day back is tomorrow!!!

My Homework: Summer Reading List!

To be honest, I love having a stack of books at my bedside, just waiting to be read. Sometimes, I have a few going at the same time. (not as confusing as it sounds) With summer, I love it even more ~ a book or two in my bag with a chance to steal some reading time at the pool or beach. Below is my list. My homework, so to speak. And, to be honest, again, I have already read a few.

1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
2. Mitten Strings for God by Katina Kenison
3. Breaking Night by Liz Murray
4. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
5. Parisian Chic by Sophie Gachet
6. A Classic! (yet to be decided)

What are you reading this summer sister?

Tricia

PS Apologies for lack of posts..computer still sick & too much fun at the pool
PSS Visiting the Alexander McQueen exhibit at The Met this weekend ~ yippee!
PSSS Over and out. Need to write thank you notes for all of my beautiful birthday gifts

Happy Birthday America & Grace

1. Happy Birthday Grace! My firecracker, red/white/blue, flag-a-flying girl. You are ten. I love you with all of my heart & I thank my lucky stars for the gift of you in my life. xo

2. A few quotes {of course} from the author of The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson.

"In matters of style, swim with the current;
In matters of principle, stand like a rock."

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work,
the more I have of it."

3. Today is the Cranford Firecracker Four Miler. It is a festive run - lots of red, white & blue attire. People line the course with cups of water, squirts of water from their garden hoses, and sprinklers. My friend & I are running it for our second year..her husband and my Grace are joining us. Wish us luck!

{apologies for no Photo Friday or any photo -- the computer seems to have a cold or something like that. Hope to fix it soon.)

tb