Summer comes to an end

I am surprised to learn this, but it seems some of you, my faithful readers, have hung on during my extended summer hiatus. Thank you for staying in touch, and sorry for the long break. Hopefully these pictures will have been worth the wait...

This August we attended our 6th and final preschool Art Show at the Barn. This is Sonali posing with a piece of artwork created by Nalini and her friends. They dipped flowers in different color paint before stamping them on the canvas. The Art Show has always been one of our favorite events for the kids, and we were lucky to have Didima come join us again for this.

After flying back to Baltimore, Didima quickly returned, this time bringing my dear cousin with her. We were all so glad to spend some time with Mashimoni just enjoying our regular routines and getting out to see some sights as well. Thank you for visiting us!

And then, very suddenly, we found ourselves in the last week of summer. Sonali LOVED her summer (day) camp experience complete with hiking, archery, and swimming in the pond. She can't wait to go back.

Lucky for us, though, she was also eager to begin school. This is her on the first day of school at our new entryway.

Nalini was also very excited because it happened to be her first day of school as well. So far, her transition to the Purple room has been a good one, and she is making lots of new friends.

This is the traditional neighborhood shot of all the kids preparing for the walk to the elementary.

And here is Sonali in her first grade classroom with Mrs. Felo. Mrs. Felo was also Sonali's TA last year, and she was a beloved presence in the classroom. Sonali is looking forward to spending more time with her as well as her best school friend who got the same classroom assignment (yay!).

I can't believe how quickly the summer passed - there was so very much going on this year with lots of visitors, moving back into the house, and plenty of work related stress as well. So I think this is the image I will be carrying into the hectic fall semester in my mind's eye: our two sweet girls enjoying some quiet time reading together.