And just like that - Summer is over?

SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW! It doesn't seem real and yet it is happening. I still don't feel quite prepared but we are getting there. Somehow we have finished the back to school shopping : the inside shoes, the backpacks, the lunch bags ( Jackie's hearts desire for the last two years) the pants, the shirts - even new socks and underwear. (the girls have grown so much). Everywhere we went it was me with the three girls - a little like a circus side show - but we accomplished it all with minimal whining and only a couple of "your a brave woman" or "you have your hands full" comments. In the end, we found some great deals, and this year, each article is mom and child approved. Mostly everything can mix and match -so my children shouldn't look TOO bizarre TOO often. I did make one mistake though. I bought Jackie the cutest plaid blouse at Sears -momentarily forgetting her private fashion rule of "only wearing patterns with patterns and plain things with plain things". I realized tonight as the kids were laying out their clothes for tomorrow that we may have to take that one back - because even the cutest plaid shirt doesn't look great with stripy Capri pants or flower Bermuda shorts -which is what Jackie wants to wear it with.

I am not quite prepared to give up yet - though I made her promise not to remove the tag. I think I will try to enlist the help of a trusted friend or fashion mentor. Of course she does not believe me when I say that prints look best with a solid( who wants to listen to their mom's opinion on fashion?) but maybe a cool Aunt, or a teenage babysitter, or a talking Barbie would carry more weight? Any ideas? Incidentally - Jackie has completely sworn off skirts. She just decided never to wear them again. So, this season anyway, pants are the new skirt.

Above is the "finally finished shopping" picture. I am excited to pack away all of the shirts that are too small for Alice. See her tummy hanging out in this picture. Below are the girls first day outfits. They laid out everything including their socks and underwear. You can see that Jackie still will wear dresses, and Alice loves a twirly skirt - but no pink this year for Alice.

I have always found the "Back to school" time of year so magical. I love summer, but every year at the endof August I find myself looking forward to fall. I'd like to think it is because I was so intellectual and loved school, but I think that seeing my friends again and getting new clothes factored in a lot too. Whatever the reason - I have fond feelings every September and feel rejuvenated by the "new beginnings". And this year we have some serious new beginnings. Grade 2 for Alice. Kindergarden for Jackie. Piano and Jazz dance lessons for Alice. Ballet for Jackie - yes ballet class - she is in heaven. And Evie - maybe she will get to learn how to pee in the potty. It's gonna be a great year!

So whether your "halfway excited and halfway nervous" like Jackie, or " All the way excited and all the way nervous" like Alice -A Happy Back to School Season to you! Good Luck!