First Day of SchoolS 2026!

 

Hi Friends!  We are back to school here in New England!  Here we are...a freshman in college....and a middle schooler!  I mean this was just yesterday right?  :/

 

 

1st Things 1st...Diana started classes on Monday 8.31 at Merrimack...she is loving it thus far!  Her roommate got a pic of her for us so we could keep up with our tradition :)

 

 

Then we spotted her on MC's social media- helping to move upperclassmen in as a student athlete

 

 

Then on Tuesday Night, we hosted Eva's besties for a Taco Party compliments of Chipotle...it was a big hit!

 

 

and yesterday, Eva started school!  1st Day of 7th Grade and 1st Day of Middle School!

 

First things first...we are back to a Bento Box...she was pumped to have different and interesting things to eat this year :)

 

 

and then...The Obligatory Pics

 

Getting on the Bus!

 

After school...her report?  It was chill..uneventful...ha she kills me!  Diana lived to entertain me...Eva is brutally honest..love them both and how different they are!

 

Last night, we had Eva's favorite meal...ravioli with homemade marinara sauce and homemade meatballs...along with garlic bread and salad.

 

 

She is joining the Middle School Cross Country Team but practice doesn't start until next week.

 

 

Wishing my girls the BEST year yet! XO 

Currently: September 2026

 

Hi Friends!  I am joining Amy for her monthly link up when we dish what's up with us "currently." This month's themes are: Adjusting (to), Baking/Cooking, Decorating, Balancing, and Learning....so here we go!

 

 

 

Adjusting (to)

 

 Life at home without Diana...not going to lie...it has been the toughest transition for me...as I knew it would be...I am very proud of her and excited for her but mourning what was/childhood...I know it's normal...doesn't make it any easier

 

 

 

 

Baking/Cooking

 

All the things!  I have meal planned for the entire month of September per tradition and I am sharing recipes each week on Tik Tok...this week's dinners include: Chicken Parm Sliders (with salad)

a Taco Party (courtesy of Chipotle) for Eva and her Friends as they head to Middle School!

 

 

Check out the dessert I picked up for them :)

 

Eva's Favorite for the First Night Back To School- Ravioli with Homemade Marinara and Homemade Meatballs with Salad and Garlic Bread 

 

 

and Grilled Steak Tips with Cheesy Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli

 

 Last weekend, I also whipped up an ice cream pie and peach bars with some of the peaches that Eva and I picked! (Pictured Above)

 

 

Decorating

 

 Pillow Covers HERE

Well we are re-doing Eva's room...it is a work in progress...we are only in the purging stage...once we start the set up, we will be decorating in white and light blues. 

 

 

 

Balancing

 

 Work and Home Life as always...mixing in a little Blackout as it is the season!

 

 

 

Learning 

 

 

That even professional, intelligent executives who are well-respected, will still do the wrong thing and treat people badly.  Sad to say. Last Friday was a rough one with work. 

 

 On the bright side, I just learned what a ridge vent is in real estate- pretty cool.

 

Don't mean to be a Debbie Downer...just keeping it real y'all!

 

 

 

Hello Monday (August 31, 2026)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Monday!  I am here with Sara and we are chatting about our weekends.  If you did too, grab our graphic above and link back up with us below. C'mon...it'll be fun...promise ;)

 

Here is what our little weekend looked like...

 

Friday Night

 

It was the Merrimack Home Opener vs. URI and Diana's first time cheering in college...the fam showed up in full force and we had a blast tailgating before and cheering her on during the game.  Though "MACK" lost...it was a great game...truth be told, we left during the third quarter...it was a very long game and we were wiped...that's ok...we came home and watched the rest on NESN...so very cool that we can even watch from afar!

 

Here are some pics...first...our girl....

 

 

Our tailgating set up with our fave peeps

 

My Mom made her famous stuffed peppers...a truly Italian Tailgating Item- ha ha!

 

Walking in...The MC Hockey Team who was last year's Hockey East Champs- they were signing autographs and Eva was so excited...she had them sign her MC hat

 

 

In the stands....at the field!

 

The Big Entrance...they started a new tradition and had the Class of 2030 enter the field....

 

 

 Diana's Gorgeous Roomie and Friend Laci who is on the Dance Team!

Diana's First College Halftime Routine!

 

Got to say a quick Goodbye and Great Job before we left!

 It was a great night!

 

A few pics I got from Diana after...

 

Diana and Laci

 and Diana with some of her favorite fellow freshmen cheerleaders

 

 

Saturday

 

It was a relaxing start to the day then Rob and Eva headed to softball and I headed to the WHS  Football Scrimmage to support Brooks and see my fave team in action  ;)

 

Lea in one of her homemade shirts to commemorate Brooks' Senior Year!

 

 

 Windham looked great and beat Nashua North ( I don't remember the final score- ha!)

 

 When I got home I did some cooking and baking (who am I?)...I made us shrimp fried rice for dinner and peach bars with some of the peaches that Eva and I picked :)

 

 

 Then I started working on purging my closet.  It will be a process but I am feeling good about the clean out and all of the bags of donations I am coming up with.

 

When Eva and Rob got home after a softball pool party, we had dinner then headed up to our bed to watch some tv together and text Diana to make sure she knows we miss her even though we are very excited for her too!

 

 

 

 Sunday

 

Rob, Eva and Papa headed up to Vermont for Eva's first hockey tournament of the season with her girls team.  Rob and Papa sat in the stands and looked up to see the MC banner...it was kismet :)

 

 I headed to see my friend Nina for a much needed massage.  It is funny though I have been staying active, I haven't hit yoga in a few weeks and I can feel it...I have been so sore so Nina fixed that for me!

 

After my massage, I headed to grab a tea then headed to mass.

 

When I got home, I did some more cooking for the week so I am prepared.  I then cleaned out the fridge and chopped up fruits and veggies for the week and stored them in these new fridge containers I picked up.  I was so so happy and excited to be organized as we are heading into the next school year!

 

Then...friends...I was inspired by Amy and went to the movies by myself for the first time in my life!  I went to see Spa Weekend and loved it...although I cried on my way there...realizing just how much time I spent with Diana...I was brave once I got there and ended up having a relaxing time alone!

 

 

 Once I got home, I ordered a pizza, poured a glass of wine and turned on Greys as I continue to binge...I am in the 2nd season which was  my fave of all...the Denny Duquette season

 

 

 Then I worked more on my closet.  When Rob and Eva got home they dug into the pizza and Eva continued working on her room.  We are purging everywhere- feels so good.

 

What were you all up to?