The backpack

Sometime last week, we got a whole host of catalogs with back-to-school offerings.  Lands' End, Pottery Barn Kids, LL Bean, Garnet Hill, Hanna Andersson.  All of them had pages upon pages of back-to-school gear including backpacks.  It was a muggy, hot, muggy, hot (did I mention it was muggy and hot?) afternoon so I suggested to Ella that we sit inside in the air-conditioning and pick out her backpack for kindergarten. 

We looked at every backpack and talked about the colors, the designs, the right size.  She got such a kick out of the whole process and so did I.  We finally settled on a backpack and lunch box (matching and monogrammed, of course) and she talked me into a pencil case and a water bottle, too.  All matching.  All bright pink.

The much-anticipated box arrived from Lands' End a week later and she remains thrilled with her new school kit.  And she looks so amazingly cute with her big girl backpack.  Here she is on the way to the first day of her three-week summer program at her new school.  She looks like a kindergartner.  Sigh.  I guess I have to accept that it's really happening.

Manicures before school

Before school manicures.... 

Favorite evening activity

Ella's new favorite evening activity is Scrabble Junior.  I don't know who is more serious about it, though, the girl or her daddy.  Josh can't quite take it easy on her.... which is perfectly OK since she don't need no stinkin' easy.

Family Love Cards, Part Deux

Spotted on Dash's bookshelf:

Officemate

Working in my office after dinner isn't nearly as unpleasant as it could be when I have this sweet officemate joining me.  She quietly does her reading and gets my documents from the printer.  Not bad.

Family Love Cards

Found on my bedside table and Josh's tonight:

I don't know exactly what a family love card is but I know I love it. Is this normal five-year old behavior? Does every other parent have a folder stuffed full of notes from their child?  And unrelated, but an important business idea: why doesn't the craft store sell boxes of blank business cards? Ella has gone bananas for some old business cards of mine and my dad's for all sorts of crafty little projects.  

Matching girls

Do you remember when the funnest thing ever was dressing up or with or just like your best pal?  Childhood lore holds that I used to call my friend Susanna before preschool so we could wear matching underwear.

I ordered Ella a bunch of clothes for next summer (sales, baby!), and when this dress came out of the box, she got so excited because her BFF L has the same one.  So naturally it didn't go into the bin for next year but instead got packed for the slumber party with L.  And here they are the next morning at the Farmer's Market in their matching dresses. Adoring strangers couldn't believe they aren't sisters.