Scorrano - Puglia's city of lights

Notte delle Luci - the night of lights!

What a magical experience! Scorrano, about an hour from Mesagne, was a perfect evening for the kids and I. The town celebrates their festival and their patron saint, the feast of Santa Domenica. July 5-8 and each night is a festival of music, food and vendors but the big draw is their impressive light show. Set to music and incredibly elaborate, it is certain to amaze everyone.

So much happiness in the lights of Scorrano.

Future volunteer fire fighter

Thanks to our annual block party, my little man got to tour a fire truck and shoot the water hose. Made him so happy and I love seeing that smile on his face.

Oh, that smile! I was tearing up watching him have so much fun.

Checking on the work getting done and approving by proof of his little smirk. 

Protein Bites

Thank you Pinterest for another amazing and simple recipe! Protein bites are only five ingredients and I had everything already in the house too!

Ingredients:
1 cup old fashioned oats
2/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 ground flax seeds
2 Tbsp honey

Directions:
Kindly ask one of your children to mix everything together in a large bowl and place in refrigerator for 30 min to set. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Roll into golf-sized balls and place on wax paper lined baking sheet, making sure they are not touching one another. After an hour I put them in their own container in the fridge. Easy, delicious and the perfect mid-afternoon snack!

First days

We just turned a new corner in the house with the start of another school year. 6th grade, 4th grade and preschool4 are proudly represented in our home. The girls began a few days before little man so I still had someone at home but not for long. The house was so incredibly quiet those couple days even with my little guy and myself at home. 

The girls were both ready and not ready for their first day. Excited to meet their teachers and see their friends but maybe not ready for school work. Both had great first days which is all I could hope for.

Then it was time for my little man's first day of preschool 4. Another year of preschool before Kindergarten and he was excited to go too. He held my hand a little tighter walking from the car to school and asked me to stay with him in the classroom a few times. After a couple more hugs and promises that I'd see him soon, I left. To cry in my car. My baby. 

Excited to meet a new teacher, see some familiar friends from last preschool year and play. 

Feeling thankful for another school year to help guide my three into becoming their best selves.

Ciao summer

Today was our last day of summer vacation when all three would be together with me. The girls begin their new school year tomorrow and for a few more days it will be just my little man and I until he also begins his new school year next week. It is so bittersweet for me saying goodbye to summer.

I am saying goodbye to our summer adventures. We are so thankful that we had many. 7 weeks in Italy followed by a month at home of a very nice schedule of friends and family, lounging in the morning, quiet afternoons and late nights.  I, who enjoy routine, loved this approach to our last month before the school year swings in and whisks us away.

I found time for each of the kids today to take a photo and have a heart-to-heart. Just a quick snap on my phone and a little conversation side-by-side. It was so meaningful to me. We talked about our summer and some of our favorite moments. We brought up the year ahead and what we were excited about.

We hit a reset button today. Summer and all of its wonderful moments are forever captured in our hearts. It was good to us and will always be something to look back on and reminisce about during the school year ahead. We're looking forward to new school days, new challenges and overcoming any obstacles. Appreciating what we can and can not do and learning.

Ciao summer, it's been real nice and we're going to miss you. Thanks for the memories and there's lots more to come!