(photo taken in Nova Scotia this summer)
Whoa. We’re back. It’s September. And school starts tomorrow. All pretty hard to believe at the moment. These past two months have been so full of amazing new experiences and memories for our family. We spent time in Umbria, Verona, Liguria and Canada and really took advantage of every moment together and with our friends and family. Wholly satisfied would explain the way I’m feeling at the moment.
(never dare your kid to put his fingers in the pincers of a crawfish – they’ll do it and it hurts)
I have my girls who start secondary school tomorrow. And they’re pretty much freaking out. Every few minutes they come to me in a panic with questions of where they have to go after the bus arrives at school, where their classroom is, where the toilets are, how to avoid the areas where all the older kids make-out and so on. Only problem is that I know less than them so it has been a challenge to keep them calm. They’re actually starting to freak me out about the whole thing.
(entering the 13 degree Atlantic Ocean – evidence that they are indeed half Canadian)
Since we’re just back from Canada we’re still trying to adjust to the time change. Lots of late nights and sleeping in late the last few days (see an example of the state of my kids at midnight here). I think we’ll have a bit of a rough time getting up at 6:30am tomorrow morning in order to catch the school bus on time. And I can’t even fathom what it will be like to be in my home alone for the day after two months of constant kid-companionship . I know it will feel too empty and quiet.
(visiting the year 1744 at Louisbourg in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia)
But I’ll be so glad to be back here sharing some of my creative endeavors, trips, recipes and even some projects that I have been working on for other blogs and sites. I’ve really taken a breather this summer and am so ready to start again!
(enjoying a little trip on a lobster fishing boat on the South Shore of Nova Scotia)
So, cheers to a new school year! I know it’s going to be a great one.
Jillian In Italy 
Your holiday sounds amazing! Good luck for your girls (and yourself) tomorrow, and a lot of fun too 🙂
Dank u wel!
Good luck for your girls tomorrow and of course your son. I remember last year, my oldest started middle school (college, here). I’m sure they will love it and some of the new found freedoms! As we say in France – Bonne Rentree!!
Thanks for the well wishes. They each had a little meltdown before bed tonight but I’m sure it will all go smoothly tomorrow. Let’s hope! Bonne Rentree for your girls as well!
OMG!!! “How to avoid the areas where all the older kids make-out “!!! I don´t know if I should laugh, or freak!!! Good luck to your girls!! Mine also starts school tomorrow, and now she is a First Grader, wearing an uniform, and everything! 🙂
Good luck to your daughter starting first grade! That’s a big step in their little lives. Hope Mama gets through it ok as well (I wept a little when my kids started big school!).
Love your pics and wishing you all a good start! Also, looking forward to seeing what you’re up to! 🙂
im a secondary history teacher and the first day of school, all of the little gals and guys were anxious about their first day, too. they’re at such a magical age now where they’re still so sweet and innocent but then again so excited to “grow up” a little bit. i can assure you, your girls will be fine 🙂
loving your blog! i speak a little italian and i’d love to live there full time. i spent 2 summers in florence and siena and they were hands down the best months of my life.
your blog is on my blogroll! love it.
Great to meet you *virtually*. And thanks for the encouraging words about secondary school. My girls returned home relieved this week. They said it’s all not as bad as they thought it would be. Phewf. Great blog! Let’s keep in touch. Jx