REALITY

I know our reality is that summer has ended ... kids are back to school, homework has started.  What is so exciting about that?  You sister, read books.  I watch TV!!!!  Here is my current list of reality TV shows that I cannot live without:

1.  Keeping up with the Kardashians: which one is your favorite?

2.  Picker Sisters: I think you would like this show.

3.  Jersey Shore: I just jumped on this band wagon and love it!

4.  Dance Moms: good in many ways.

5.  Say Yes to the Dress: think tears.

6.  HGTV Design Star: have always been a fan.

7.  Food Network Chopped: this one causes me some stress.

I think I live vicariously thru others.  Tune in sister.

Tracy

Tuesdays at 10 pm/9c

on My Lifetime

I Remember..

Ten years ago on September 11th, Grace was just two months old and Ed was somewhere in NYC on a job interview. At home, in New Jersey, I remember watching the news footage in disbelief. As the day went on, I was unable to comprehend the horror that was unfolding just miles away in the city.

My Grace will always be the same age as the anniversary of September 11th. On this tenth anniversary, my ten-year old reminded me, "Mommy, for all of the thousands of horrible stories that happened that day, there were just as many good stories of bravery and courage." Today, this is what I will remember.

Tricia

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!!!