Bittersweet!

         This time of year is always filled with mixed emotions for me.  While I love the fall and all the things it entails, I can't help but think of the wonderful summer and the warmth we will soon leave behind.  And while I love the start of a new school year and all of things that entails, I will miss our carefree summer of sleeping in and all of the fun things we all did. Bittersweet for sure!
          Surprisingly, the kids were off to a great start this morning.  Dare I say they were actually looking forward to getting back to school and seeing all their friends.  Not sure if I will go that far, but this is actually the first year Hannah did not cry.  By cry, I mean award winning dramatics!  I often felt like a bad mom pushing her on that bus.  Not this year.  Alas, my little girl is growing up.  Hunter and Finley seemed in great spirits as well.  All is right in the my little world and I know what that means, something is bound to go wrong tomorrow.  But, I will hold on strong to this day when this thing called motherhood seemed easy for once!

Hunter leaves almost an hour before the other kids.  Luckily he is an early riser!

Showing off their new backpacks!

Hannah just adores Finley and He adores her as well.  They are so excited to be at the same school this year!

I look so tired in this picture.  Honestly I was up all night.  I get more nervous than the kids.  You would think I was the one going to school. Ha!

Cooper, Marissa, Sydney, Hannah and Finley.  Neighbors all at Wilkins school together this year!

         

         

Bermuda Bound!

We just got back from an amazing cruise to Bermuda.  I have been so looking forward to this trip!  I have been to Bermuda once before and just love it!  We left Boston in somewhat of a fog.  A bit dreary.

No worries!  By the next day on the sea is was sunshine and blue sky!  Thankfully it was that way the entire time.

A little rainy. . . no problem.  We are on vacation. . . no kiddos. . . cue the cocktail!  So grateful that my parents and in-laws would be taking fabulous care of the kids.  They had lots of fun things planned and I was going to have an entire week of sleeping in, reading, and dare I say pampered.  No cooking and cleaning.  Just what the doctor ordered.  Pure bliss.

Getting ready for the captions dinner

       

The dock where the ship stays in Bermuda

AHHH!  Total relaxation!  I miss it already. Ha!

Horseshoe Bay!  One of my favorite beaches in Bermuda.  The only water I can actually stay in for hours.  Pure heaven!

Every night our room steward would leave a sweet animal towel for us as he took down our bed!  I could get used to the room service for sure.

This is the boat we took snorkeling to the "Bermuda Triangle."  So much fun.  We also had a water tour of some famous houses including Michael Douglas' home.  Swanky!

Our ship

We had a a nice little balcony in our room.  It was so peaceful sitting out there on the ocean.

I had such a great time with Christian on our vacation.  It was so wonderful to spend time with each other and not worry about schedules and commitments.  It was fun to dress up every night and try different restaurants on the ship.  The food was so good.  Thank goodness they have a gym on board. Ha!  The shows were fantastic and as usual we met some "fun" people.  It is so nice to have a break from the daily grind.  We did miss the kids and getting back into routine was tiring.  Not that I am complaining,  but going from vacation where everyone does everything for you to going back to mom duty was exhausting.   Dreaming of my next trip already. . . . .