Those Days, August

August was final days at the pool balanced with organizing in preparation for another school year. August was BIG NEWS for our family, with Lou leaving the law firm where he worked since graduating law school to start his own law firm (right across the street from Josie’s new school) and me co-authoring the Smart Parents: Parenting for Powerful Learning book! August was a favorite family summer tradition - returning to my hometown county fair. August was an annual throwback to our twenties by making a trek to see Phish - this time with insane centerstage seats! August was celebrating birthdays with friends and celebrating amazing women in our lives who are doing amazing things. August was deciding it was in fact a good idea to spend a Thursday night under black lights riding spinning bikes on the purple people bridge. August was 20 years since I graduated high school. August was the of freckled cheeks and the beginning of back-to-school activities. August was good!

The view from Lou's office - Josie's school ;)

Back To School 2015

And, just like that, they're both back in school. Long lazy poolside summer days have already been swapped out for laying out school clothes, packing lunches, homework and afterschool activities. (Not that that's all bad, because there's a certain happiness that comes from the return of our regular routine.) 

Josephine, Age 8, Grade 3, Hyde Park School 

Beatrice, Age 4, Pre-Primary, Xavier Montessori Lab School 

Here are lots of photos from our back-to-school morning photo shoots that started way back when we were just Three Schneiders on Fairfield Avenue in front of the "peace tree" that no longer exists.  The girls are both REALLY excited to be back in school. It's been a huge change but a super smooth transition for Josie - one that makes us feel a little silly about how much time we spent making that decision in the first place. Beatrice was really eager to return today since Josie started a week before her and she's really happy to be "a four" this year instead of a "new three."

Here they are in all their back-to-school bliss.

 These are some scenes from Josie's first day, when we had a little extra time with Bea. It was our last "mama morning" before she started school this week.