Treats of the season

We had a mini backyard celebration with some delicious treats of the season ~ 

juicy, tart Granny Smith apples dipped in creamy caramel 

and chopped nuts or colorful candy sprinkles.

...and delicious pumpkin gobbs!

A delectable cream filling,

sandwiched between soft pumpkin cookies.

Mmmm, yummy! 

And the perfect place to have our treats?!

On this adorable old-fashioned, wooden

children's picnic table

that I picked up at a garage sale,

and my husband painted a cheery red!

What child wouldn't love it?! 

Ring the school bell

Has the familiar sight of school buses returned in your neighborhood yet?  It's that time of year again.  And with my little guy starting his very first year of preschool, I'm doing every thing I can to encourage his little heart with enthusiasm on this new and exciting stage of his life! 

For it's normal for any one to feel a little nervous starting something new...and for wee little ones that have no conception of what it means to go to school, it can feel quite overwhelming!

It's important as parents for us to encourage our children's spirits...help them to bravely face new challenges, and reassure them that we'll love and support them every step of the way!

Tomorrow we'll be going to orientation at his new school to meet his classmates and teachers, and to hopefully calm his fears about going to school like one of the "big kids." 

Keeping the lines of communication open is essential in all aspects of a good relationship ~ and especially in parenting.  Letting our kids know they can come to us as fair and objective listeners can help reassure them that we're there and that someone understands what they're going through.  

So when they venture out in the great big world out there, they know someone at home loves them and cares about them.

I can't wait for his first day to come...both of us a little nervous but also very excited - just thinking about the adventures he's going to have!

Wishing all of you and your children a safe and fun school year ahead!

Above: an apple and cinnamon wreath we made :)

back-to-school = apple season

Can it really and truly be the end of August?  Is it really back-to-school time already?!

Sigh...I checked my calendar this morning and realized that preschool orientation for my son is next week!  My baby - going to school!!  Gasp!  Moms out there, help me through this!! I'm trying to be so brave for him (I know he'll love it!) but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't extremely a little nervous!

I should've known it was near - something in the air has changed...the evenings are just a bit chilly...the sky a little more clear.  We've been savoring every last moment of the season, enjoying nightly backyard campfires, toasting marshmallows, making s'mores and stargazing.

It's time to pull out the early fall decor ~ and dig out the recipe books for all of the apple-y delicious recipes!  For what more quintessentially represents back-to-school time and early fall than the apple!

Think I'll bake up an apple pie this week, and try my best to enjoy these last days of summer, and face September as bravely as my little guy :)

celebrations

Summer's days are quickly fading.  Where has the time gone?  In the blink of an eye, we're finding ourselves turning our attention to the return of school and fall. 

I've been on a short hiatus - no particular reason, just enjoy the lazy dog days of summer with my family. We took an enjoyable vacation to Toronto to visit friends and see the Tall Ships (have been wanting to see them for so long!)  We celebrated several special events: graduations, patriotic holidays, and birthdays (including my own a few weeks ago!)  I've been working in the garden, plucking sun-ripened tomatoes from the vine, watching magnificent pumpkins turn plump and orange, and enjoying all of the beautiful summer flowers. 

All of my attention now has been focused on my son's birthday next month (lots of party planning in the works!)

I hope you all have been well!  

I've missed you!