Hello and happy Saturday!
I love it that Jennifer hosts this fun little link up at the end of the month. It’s just a quick way to reflect on the past month.
I this month, I….
Loved:
Slow mornings when we had them. July was still busy, but there were fewer alarms set in the morning.
I also loved seeing so many beautiful sunsets while in Florida last week.
Read:
You know I love to read. Looking back on this summer, how lucky am I that I read with mountain views, ocean views, and pool views?! That makes my reading heart happy.
Ate:
Seafood while at the beach.
Travis and I both love seafood, Hayden mostly loves oysters, and Hadley loves salmon. The boys missed out on oysters this year (although, Hayden got them when he went to SC with his friend’s family)
While in Florida, I had shrimp, fish tacos, and more.
I also drank a daiquiri at one of our favorite places…The Daiquiri Deck.
Bought:
Well, it’s that time of the year…back to school. {*sigh}
About the only thing that makes going back to school better is buying a new planner (and pens!)
This is the third year that I’m using a Happy Planner. Three years ago, I realized Michael’s sells them, and are 40% for back to school. (Also, fun fact: Michael’s gives a teacher discount…A few summers ago, I showed my badge and ever since, the discount (I think 20%) is connected to my account).
Anyway, this is the second year I’m going to use the smaller version of the the Happy Planner. It worked well for me last year, so I figured I would try it again.
Since they were also 40% off, I picked up a pack of stickers too. I use them on my desk calendar as well.
Then, of course, I had to have new pens. I just got my favorite Flair felt pens at Kroger. {*Impulse buy*}–these PASTEL Ticonderoga pencils. I’m honestly not picky about my pencils, but the pastel colored ones stopped me in my tracks. How could I say no??
I also need to pick up a new desk calendar…sometimes I get one from Amazon, but I think last year I got mine at Walmart when the kids got their school supplies.
For the first time in a few years, I actually need to get a new lunch tote and a new travel coffee mug.
Every year, I used to go to the Parent Teacher store to pick up my planner and any other odds and ends I needed. I could always spot the elementary teachers a mile away because they always had so much stuff!! I know you might see lots of “teacher lists” this time of the year or even just the back school supply list and think it all seems excessive, but if you can, throw the extra box of Kleenex their way or purchase a few things off their Amazon list. It means more to them then you know!
As a high school teacher, I admit I don’t need as much. That being said, I still have to replenish markers, paper, folders and other odds and ends during the school year. When I take my own kids back to school shopping, I usually pick up some of those supplies while they are on sale.
I do miss the days when the kids were little. In elementary school, we’d make a day of all the back to school things. The kids would get haircuts, we’d go out to lunch, we’d buy new shoes, and then go get school supplies. I loved that day when we did all the fun things.
To be honest, I tried to make it kind of a big deal because it helped me get excited about going back to school. It’s also why I did the Back to School Breakfast in elementary school and now do the Back to School Brinner .
I always love my summers with my kids. I don’t take for granted that I get to be with them all day. This summer has felt especially quick with everyone’s schedules being so crazy and the kids being a bit more independent.
They used to help my set up my classroom…
…and now they are about to be 8th graders! (Honestly, they will still help me set up my classroom if needed.)
Well, y’all, I didn’t mean to get so nostalgic, but here we are…haha
I hope you still have many fun summer days left having all kinds of fun.
showmeandsweettea.com 
I have ordered Alec some new uniform clothes but that’s about as far as we’ve gotten with back to school stuff– though we did fill out all his online paperwork yesterday for his parking spot which he’ll hopefully have assigned by the first day so he can drive himself.
Between the sunsets and the all the yummy seafood photos I’m really wanting to plan a trip to Florida now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to start filling out the online paperwork for the kids. So many forms haha
LikeLike
Those sunsets are really gorgeous. We’re returning to Florida in September and I can hardly wait. I’ve read in some gorgeous places this year too; I need to take more pictures and do a collage like yours–so lovely to see your backgrounds! Hope you have a great school year ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy Florida! We are headed back in October…it’s always nice to go when it’s not too hot. Thank you for the back to school wishes 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww, I love the sweet flashback photos of the kids. I really miss the “back to school” times, and will still do a brinner before they go back to college. And buying apartment supplies/decor almost feels like buying notebooks and pens! 🙂 Have a good weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess their back to school needs needs change a bit as they get older haha
LikeLike
I loved visiting your blog! Goodness those sunsets are gorgeous! I bet it was hot in Florida! I’m glad that you all had a wonderful summer! I am with you on the nostalgia! I miss my kids being little! I have a 10 year old so they aren’t all grown, but my others are 14, 16 and 22! They grow up way too fast! Your kids are adorable, and I love the planner! I hope you have a wonderful school year, and glad you had an awesome July! So very nice to meet you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was definitely hot in Florida. Time sure does fly by. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
LikeLike
My mom used to make back to school shopping for the kids so special. She would send them each a check to buy “extra things that aren’t on your list“. It was so very kind of her because, as a stay at home mom of four, we really were living on a limited budget at the time. This gave them a little choice in getting a few more special items.
Thank you for reminding me that our elementary school teachers really do need those “extra” supplies. I am going to look up some of my friends’ Amazon wish list and send something their way 🙂
Thanks for the sweet reminders of traditions that are important and special.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe that’s so fun. My mom usually send the kids a few extra dollars too. Yes- those sweet elementary teachers have so much that they need 🙂
LikeLike
Those sunset photos are spectacular!! I love your planner system – I’ve always had grand plans for how I’ll use my planner but I never follow through! LOL Hope you’re having a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I try to stay organized and pretty pens seem to help haha
LikeLike
Your post made me miss the days when my kiddos were little too! They are 20 and 18 now, and my daughter will be starting her last year of college in a few weeks…sigh. I hope you enjoy your last few weeks of summer. Have a great week. https://encounterswiththedavisfamily.blogspot.com/2023/07/share-four-somethings-july-2023.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Time sure does fly by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jen, such lovely sunsets. The foods you had look so yummy. I enjoyed hearing aqbout your month.
Visiting from Share 4 Somethings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Back to school was so much fun (if not a bit expensive!) when the kiddos were little. We always had so much fun! Hard to believe how long ago that was. Here’s to the start of another school year – and to a great year ahead. You’ve got the new coffee mug…so all is good!:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m motivated by new pens, planner and mug haha
It’s the little things
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Florida sunsets! It’s strange as the kids get older, but in a nice way I think. Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and have a wonderful new school year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike