Back-to-school

All 3 outside of their school

I have been working, not so diligently, on my post about our trip to France, which took place 3 months ago. In the meantime, life has carried on, and I haven't posted a thing!

Asher on his first day in all the cool Under Armour gear his Memere buys him

Benjamin on his first day of school, taking a risk by wearing his Tom Brady shirt in Eagles territory

One week ago, Benjamin and Asher went back to school to start 3rd grade, and Charlotte began kindergarten in the same school as her brothers. Our summer flew by, as it always does. We spent the week before school began at the Cape in our annual week-long vacation there, and it feels jarring and disconcerting to be reading a novel on the beach one day and packing up school supplies the next. The first week of school began with hot, steamy weather that made it seem impossible that summer was over; Thursday night brought thunder storms and the weather has been cool and gray ever since. Leaves are already beginning to change, and it seems like and early fall is on its way.

The cool dudes together

After only 4 days of school the boys seem fairly happy- they like their teachers and each have some old friends in their classes. Charlotte only had 2 days of kindergarten, but says her teacher is nice and that she is already making new friends.  She is also beginning ballet and gymnastics this fall.

Charlotte in her special 1st day dress from Memere

Walking to school together

 I am home on Thursday afternoons, and this past Thursday was over 90 degrees and sunny. I asked all the kids to go swimming with me- one last time- and only Charlotte wanted to join me. We had a peaceful, cool swim. Now our bathing suits, towels, and swim things are packed in the attic, waiting for next year. This is always a sad time of year for me; I love the spring and the summer, all the time we get to spend outdoors, the relaxed schedule, and meeting our friends at the pool or the park. Every year I have summer wishes I don't fulfill. This year we didn't eat outside on our patio enough, and we didn't have friends over to entertain frequently. We did plenty of traveling, and saw lots of friends and family, and swam as much as we could. It was a wonderful summer, which ended too soon!

Our final swim