It is with a heavy sigh that I face the end of summer. My all-time favorite time of the year. I wasn’t one to count down the days til the kids returned to school…. I knew that day would come soon enough. Tomorrow. But I have a tremendous store of memories to draw on when the weather turns cold and turns dark by 5:00 p.m. (shudder to think!). Our summer by the shore was one I’ll treasure.
I created a bracelet for myself, my own souvenir of the summer. I adored these ocean-inspired beads when I first found them in Shannon Westmeyer’s Etsy shop. She has more listed if you’d like some for yourself. This gal is talented…if you look at the beads closely, you’ll see such amazing detail (the waves, the starfish…) And a nice surprise, she sent some sweet freebies along with the set! I added a soldered crab link…I’m going crazy with the soldering technique I’m learning from Stephanie Lee….I’ll show more in a future post.
On our last night at the beach, we celebrated a special birthday. Our little guy turned 6! When we asked him what type of cake he’d like, he was torn between “spy gear” and bunnies. He still loves rabbits….do you remember this costume from 2 years ago? We did what we could with what we had on hand and my 9 year old son (the budding chef) baked the cake from scratch! We’ll have a tennis-themed party for him in a few weeks with his classmates.
The uniforms are set out and the new shoes are lined up by the door…. tomorrow is a fresh start, a new beginning. I’m excited about things to come…it’s going to be a busy Fall. Full of great things!
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Ok two things I can’t believe – one – you baked that cake from scratch? And you soldered this crab? Can you explain a bit more about your classes? I am really excited about soldering right now.
Oh Cindy, that bracelet is lovely. What a nice way to remember summer. And I have to agree with Nicki – I love to hear about this class. I have Stephanie Lees book and adore her work.
Sweet summer memories, how wonderful… and a very beautiful bracelet! Hope your little men have a great day at school!
That bracelet is gorgeous!
I know you hate to see summer end…but just think, now we’re that much closer to ArtBliss! Can’t wait!
oh my, look at how big Nathaniel is getting!! i love his curly floppy hair. AND, Happy Birthday Chandler!!
I know how sad you are to say good bye to summer, but I am glad you have such warm and wonderful memories to keep you company until it arrives again next year.
New school shoes all lined up, how cute! The first day of school is always so special, I always made sure I had my camera in tow when we waited for the bus. It is bittersweet, you hate to see summer go but how nice it is to get back to a fall routine and a new start.
Oh I still have one more week then my sweet girl will start her senior year (YIKES) and my little son will start preK (everyday) I do love the time we share in the summer but we also have alot of fall traditions that we enjoy. OH that bracelet is stunning (I am a beach lover although I only get to the ocean once a year if we are lucky)
Ending and beginnings, the endless cycles of life! Celebrated in seasons and birthdays and new school years! The bracelet is beautiful, what a nice reminder of summer! Your son did a fantastic job on the cake, very impressive! I always have mixed emotions at this time of year, happy to see the “busy season” over but at the same time a little melancholy for all the summer fun we didn’t get to have! Hold tight to the memories!
I am so with you Cindy!!Everyone kept saying..”Oh how great the kids will be getting back to shool”….Not me…I wanted them home,enjoying the sun and with out a care in the world.Mine have already been back to school for over three weeks and tomorrow activities start and so does the rush rush.I know we feel blessed to have had the time,special time with them..I just wish it would slow up a bit.Big Hugs to you Momma and to your beautiful family.Cat
I can hardly believe you youngest is 6 already. I know it’s cliche but the time goes very fast doesn’t it?
That bracelet is lovely and the detail in those beads is amazing. Wonderful colours too.
I’m in love with that bracelet Cindy, thank you so much for sharing my work!
School started last Wednesday and my youngest is home sick today with strep! Already! I hope it’s no indication of how our winter will be, but I’m with you, I’ll remember the sunshine, the trips to the pool and the backyard water fights 🙂
Now we can turn on the fire pit after football games and enjoy our neighbors!
All the best!
You take such great photos! And you’re such an awesome mom. I’m also glad you made some jewelry for yourself!
I’m with Nicki on this one. Baking and soldering? Will your talents never cease? Happy day, bunny boy. I love, love your pictures and it reminds me that I am not present enough in the every day. My kids have been in school since last Wednesday. Enjoy the day!
Erin
Thanks for stopping by everyone…
And wanted to add, my youngest is not the 6 year old, the youngest is just 22 months old…already dreading the start of his school days!
That Cake my My! What a really lovely cake!! Your Son will make the right woman quite happy one day lol. I was thinking that cake looks superb! Soldering is devine! You really had a long summer and a wonderful summer Cindy!
what an adorable cake!
farewell Summer…*tear* I too can’t stand the thought of the early darkness that takes over the day 🙁
and lastly…What a FABULOUS and stunning bracelet!!! Love it!
What a fabulous picture of the boys on the shore! So sad to see the summer go. Your bracelet is lovely…I’m still swooning over those beads. Hope to see more of what your doing in Stephanie Lee’s course. Happy Birthday to the little guy!
Great pictures – love the first one! I, for one, am glad to see summer get ready to leave, but I live in Phoenix, where it’s just no fun during the summer. I miss autumn in the Midwest, though – pretty leaves, bonfires, hot apple cider, football games… It’s just not the same in the desert with no leaves that turn colors and it’s still in the 90’s.
I remember my excitement over every little step toward independence my children would take … tying their shoelaces, washing their own hair … but they are also filled with melancholy. It’s hard to give up the summer with your children, those lazy days at the pool, with the heat of the sun relaxing you ’til you’re a wet noodle. I’m still enjoying days like that with my two … may it never end!
Lovely ending to your precious summer, Cindy. I love that you made a bracelet to memorialize this special time. It’s beautiful, as is your family. Good luck with the start of school. Hope everything runs smoothly!
-x, Val
What beautiful serene pictures can do to a heart. The days can’t be brought back but memories treasured. The hustle and bustle of the school year begins with new adventures and a whole new season of pictures. The simple days of youth are so blessed. And last but not least a beautiful reminder to wear of a joyous time!
It is so sad to seem them go back to school. It marks the end of summer and end of all that free time. 🙁 The vacation at the shore looks like it was a blast and the cake your son made was spectacular!
Aw, how cute your wee man is! And I of course LOVE his bunny cake! How on earth did you make that? You’re a cake architect! He looks very happy with it.
ohhhh… What a lovely summer bracelet… it is the perfect momento for your lovely summer by the sea. I love your soldered crab link! SO CUTE.
I know it can be tough to send the little guys back to school…. sigh…. they grow up so fast.
Cindy, it sounds like you the little guy will have some quality time together. I love the shoes at the door ready for the little feet running to the bus. I remember the anticipation of the day when my son was young. Clothes shopping because he grew out of everything (my son is now 23 yrs, 6′ 6″ with size 14 feet), pencils, markers and all of that fun stuff in those store isles. I don’t know about the southern states, but in NY the first day of school always seems to be overcast or raining. BTW, I absolutely love the bracelet.
Sandra
Oh Friend,
Your summer looked heavenly, your photographs, as always, are heartwarming & I LOVE your summer memories bracelet. You have a wonderful life with all your adorable boys! Seeing all there little Bass shoes lined up & ready for school just made me SMILE!
Hugs Friend,
Susie
What a beautiful family summer you had, making such precious memories together. Your bracelet is a beautiful reminder; I’m sure you will treasure it forever! And Happy Birthday to your little man Chandler!
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