I. Made. It.  This was my first week back to work after a summer full of fun and I am worn out.  I am linking up with Erika, Narci, and Andrea to share my favorites from the week so here we go…

Favorite 1: CAMP GIGI!!  I shared Camp Gigi with you yesterday. My mom plans the best adventures for the boys during the week teachers go back to work.  This year they have been to Gettysburg, sailed on the Chesapeake Bay, given back to a local charity, played a bunch of golf, and are headed to Top Golf today.

Favorite 2: FIELD TRIPS!! My mom and I took the boys on a field trip to 6 museums in 3 days this summer. We had the best time on the Iconic Illustrators’ Trail in western Massachusetts. My favorite museum was Norman Rockwell. We spent most of the day there and I could’ve kept going exploring the grounds.

The boys favorite museum was the Basketball Hall of Fame. It was such a great trip!

Favorite 3: WORK FRIENDS!! As much as I am missing the warm sunshine and being outside most of the day, I am so happy to be back with my work friends. I usually don’t make plans to see anyone that I work with over the summer. When I come back to school, I feel like a college student again seeing friends that I haven’t seen all summer. Even though I see a bunch of what they do thanks to social media, its fun to actually hear the stories, get their opinions, and start making new memories for a great school year! We need to take a picture together to start our year!

Favorite 4: REGINA CALCATERRA!! I love to hear or see an inspiring speaker or author and I had the opportunity to start my day on Tuesday with one. Regina Calcaterra came back to my county to speak to teachers about her story and the impact that teachers made on her life. She is the third of five children raised by an abusive, mentally ill, addicted parent. She was in and out of foster care and eventually emancipated herself from her mother. She has truly risen from very little support to make a difference in the lives of others. I think all teachers should read her book Etched in Sand just to be reminded and inspired to keep making a difference. I just got her second book Girl Unbroken and can’t wait to start it.

Favorite 5: OPEN HOUSE!! We had Open House at school yesterday and I love seeing all those sweet faces walking through our halls. It is so nice to see returning students and their families! I also love to see the new families and start building my relationship with them. I also love taking my kiddos to see their classrooms and teachers. They already know their teachers because I work there, but they love to visit and see the friends in their classes. After seeing those students, I am getting really excited to start this school year. I can feel it in my bones, it is going to be a fabulous year!!

That’s all for this week. I am still reading The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah. It is good, but I’m slowing down now that I am back to work. I happened to chat with the owner of my local bookstore and she recommended a few more for my to read list. That list is always growing!

Have a great Labor Day weekend full of sunshine and books! Luke has a soccer tournament and we are hoping to get to the pool a few more times before it closes for the season.

☀️ 📚 😎