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I almost posted this on Halloween, but those aren’t costumes 😂 The big kids are back enrolled at our local parochial school. There are several reasons we stopped homeschooling, but the most important one is that we know that this option is what’s best for our kids and for our family-for right now. Thank you to all our family and friends and teachers who have so loved us (and especially our kids) in these transitions. And thank YOU for putting up with all these quasi-melodramatic “grand announcement” posts 😂 I just didn’t want anyone to be too surprised by our Christmas card. 🤣😘❤️ #howeveryouschoolisfinebyme #allthefeelings #thoseuniformsthough😍Homeschool 😳😳😳 Our reasons are many, varied and deeply personal, but, at the very core of this call, I know I am to work especially hard on my relationships with these five tiny humans this year. So, I’m going to try and be “here” less and out “there” more. Less Little Squares. More Little Loves. Maybe some day I’ll be good at balancing IG life and in-person life, but I’m not. And, right now I need to tip the scales really far in the direction of my kiddos. Also, I love you guys, but I gotta love them more. 🤷🏼♀️😂 That’s some serious stuff, so here are some idyllic homeschooling pictures that thankfully have no sound #alltheyelling And be sure to scroll all the way to the end for a laugh. My life is 95% outtake, but that’s ok. On a COMPLETELY unrelated note, please pray for me #fivekidsisalotofkids #andihavenoideawhatimdoing PS We love the school they attended last year and I feel really good knowing that they can always go back 😂 PPS Txt or email me all the good memes and photos I’ll miss #mamraderie #FOMO and please assume I ❤️ everything you post #ineedyoutoknowi❤️you PPPS I’m going to dust off the blog, so if you want to know all the ways I’m failing (ahem) rocking life in the next year, check it out. 😘I bought @floretflower ‘s book in the dead of winter, desperate for a little color and a dream of summer. It is such a beautiful book. Then her simple instructions made a flower garden seem doable and attainable and...necessary. As someone who’s mostly only grown edible things (Practical! Delicious!) it took a little encouragement to jump into flowers. But, jump I did! Into dahlias. And I’m so, so glad. Heading out in the cool morning hours to check plants, touch blossoms, cut and arrange flowers has been one of the most joy-inducing, depression-abating activities I’ve ever done. What a gift! I can’t wait to divide them this fall, replant in the spring and have (even more) beautiful bounty to share. 😍Archives
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Author Archives: Caitlin @ TOTE
Rainy Morning
The sun was shining as the drops came down. We searched for rainbows, but none were found. Lots of flowers, smiles, laughs, and shrieks though. All before 7AM. Sorry neighbors.
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Did you have a hard day?
Dear Man-Who-Yelled-at-Me-in-His-Parking-Lot, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t follow your posted rules. I’m sorry it is hot today. I’m sorry you have to spend this whole weekend standing in your parking lot telling people, No! You can’t park here! I … Continue reading
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Mama’s Day 2019
There may not have been may posts since my last Mother’s Day photo shoot, but a whole year really has gone by… crazy how that happens. Continuing with tradition, Andy snagged my “good camera” and snapped shots of me with … Continue reading
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Dear Future Caitlin,
My mind is often consumed by the future. I love talking to parents who are 5, 10, 20 years ahead of me. I soak up what they think they did right and what they wish they could do over again. … Continue reading
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Big Deal-Not Big Deal
Her nails were cracked, peeled back from the edges. She had been picking again, unable to keep her fingers still as she listened for instructions at school. She’s a good listener, but if something is sticking out where it shouldn’t, … Continue reading
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Humbled by the Chaos
So, we recently added another kiddo to the mix: Hi Mateo! And he’s been on the outside for 2ish weeks now. This was Andy’s first week back at work, read: Cait’s first week WITH ALL THE CHILDREN. Now, going from … Continue reading
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Mother’s Day 2018
Continuing a Mother’s Day tradition, I try to step in front of the camera on Mother’s Day and get some photos with each of my kiddos. Genevieve (18 months) Dominic (4 years) Lucia (5 years) Monica (7 years) I know, … Continue reading
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Silly, Silly Sissy
Genevieve is just a hoot right now. She’s in that super-sponge 18 month(ish) phase where she’s absorbing so much, I can almost hear the neurons growing in her brain. Every day there are new words, new faces and new stories … Continue reading
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Not Alone
One of my favorite bloggers, Beth Woolsey, often “waves in the dark” to her readers. It’s her way of communicating that nobody is alone in their struggles and fears. And I feel like I need a little of the same … Continue reading
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Wordless (Retreat!) Weekend
Photo credit for most of these: Mom! (thanks for coming with me! And next year WE need a photo together!!)
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