Shakespeare in the Park

The curtain opens...

Fini

Sundays are for...

Swing sets

and potato sack races.

Spaghetti dinners

and power naps.

Party games

and kite flying.

For Family.

For Friends.

However you spent your Sunday, I hope you spent it doing what you love to do most.

Bring on the Fall

My little meatballs had their first day of soccer today. It is another sign that fall is just about here. The Four Girls say, "Bring it on."

Fancy Footwork

A Breath of Fresh Air

Oak Leaf Hydrangea at Long Hill

(I love when they just start to turn and those beautiful shades of pink come out.)

It's that time of year again! The Essex County Garden Club held our annual kick off meeting this morning at Long Hill. The weather couldn't have been better to be outside breathing in that crisp New England air. It was so nice to see everyone again and to meet our new members. After coffee and catch up we had a guided tour of the Sedgwick gardens where there were so many wonderful plants in bloom. The trustees have a fantastic line up of fall programs this year.

Check out thetrustees.org to find your local reservations and upcoming events.

Happy Fall!

Reflection

What an amazing summer.

When I look back at all of the photos that I have taken to document our summer I can't believe that I haven't blogged more. With the girls back in school I hope to have the time to share with you the experiences we have had as a family. Bear with me...I will get there.

Famiglia

Santino & Julia

Passing the torch...

My brother Santino, nephew Franco and their new dog Jada came to visit this weekend.

Santino makes a gravy to die for and promised to show me just how it's done. Which reminds me...

I can't cook for the life of me.

I want to cook...I'm just not so sure I have it in me.

My mother is Sicilian. I was raised by her and and know only her roots. My mother's Aunt Eleanor (my godmother and also my daughter Anna's middle name) was an unbelievable cook and actually tried to show me the ropes shortly before Scott and I married. (She really liked Scott and I don't think she was convinced that I could keep him on personality alone. haha!)

I will never forget standing in the basement of her home in Salem, a beautiful home she owned but that we never saw the upstairs of because she rented it to a police officer and his wife. As a child growing up I never understood the situation and always felt "sorry" that my Great Aunt lived in the basement of the home she owned while others dwelled above her.

As an adult I realize that where she lived, where she laid her head at night had very little to do with her happiness. Her happiness came from nurturing her family and she did this not only by providing sanctuary in the basement of the home she never ventured upstairs in (yet ruled with a strong broom handle strategically thrust at the ceiling) but with her open door policy and her fantastic cooking. As a child I remember walking through the door and before I could even think "I'm hungry," Aunt Eleanor would be at the stove making a meal worthy of Christmas dinner. I have so many wonderful memories of watching her cook and never leaving her home without a full belly, $5 snuck into my hand and feeling genuinely loved.

Anna & Franco w/ Grady & Jada

Cousins holding down the fort.

Back to School & Major Blog Guilt

It has been a long time since my last blog post...

I am trying to slide back into my "school" seat hoping that nobody notices.

I can't do it...

I tell my daughters every day to be noticed...

For the right things.

So as three of the four girls embark on new adventures

I say "Carpe diem"

and know that your parents love you...

First day of school breakfast.

"One of these things is just like her mother..."

(hint: it's the one on the left that would rather be in bed.)

Miss Julia Rose on Middle School Anxiety: "A favorite book is like an old friend, I want to read it until the bus comes and tuck it in my bag like a security blanket."

(She's an old soul! Honestly, you think I could make that up?!)

Plant the seed and watch it grow

Moving On

Anna went through Kindergarten like it was her job. She loved it and was not so sure she was ready to let go and move on to 1st grade. Showing Jane the ropes has really helped her transition and move on to bigger and better things.

Finding comfort in old friends

BFFs

I'm ready are you?!

I still can't believe my youngest child is off to Kindergarten. I think that it may take awhile to let it sink in to the point where I can put it into words. I am probably going to have to get back to you on that whole situation.

I watched as she found her name and hung her J "the S stands for Scott, after Daddy" W backpack.

It was amazing to witness Julia & Anna put their own anxieties aside to support "the littlest whitten." Everywhere I turn my girls never cease to amaze me.

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psst...there may be 4 whitten girls in school next year!