Back to School v2.0

We have continued to be consumed with the chaos of renovations, but we are nearing the end.  The painting is done, and floors are being installed this week, and then we can get the house put back together.  The hardest thing is trying to get out the door when you can't find your: shoes, rain jacket, sunglasses, extra masks, etc., while trying to keep a puppy from getting into mischief.  We know it will all be worth it, though!  

The basement remote work/school scene while renovations happen upstairs

Before the carpets were ripped up, we let the kids draw on the floor with markers to "say goodbye."  It was a little bit of a Marie Kondo moment, where we were thanking the carpets for being a cozy part of our house for so many years before we bid them goodbye!  Ha ha!

This week is also a time of transition, because the kids are beginning their full-time return to school.  The freedom and flexibility of the hybrid schedule has been really nice, and I wish we could stick with it, but if I look at the bright side, the kids are excited to see their friends, and  I think that having a more regular routine will be good for all of us.  I am grateful for the bonus time we have had with the kids this fall to slowly adjust to the new procedures at school before their full-time return.

A special (rare) visit with Nana Mil while she was out for an appointment

We took some time over the weekend to enjoy some favorite fall traditions amidst beautiful foliage - soccer, corn maze, pumpkins, and a hike at Indian Brook.  Frankie did awesome on her first hike, and she absolutely loved being in the woods and meeting all the other people and dogs along the trail.

Speaking of Frankie, she also starts school this week - Puppy School!  We are going to do a weekly puppy class to work on her training and manners, because even though we think she is a perfect little darling, we know she has a lot to learn!