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School’s Out for Summer TToT Style

Filed Under: BLOG, FTSF Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

School’s out for summer
School’s out forever
School’s been blown to pieces

No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher’s dirty looks

-Alice Cooper’s School Out

So, you get the drift, it is finally full blown summer vacation here for my girls, who last week finished out their year of pre-school.

No complaints about summer or the weather after living through the Polar Vortex and Snowmageddon this past year.

Yet, I have my two princess crazed ladies home all day.  And while I love having them home, I have to sneak and find time to get my writing, designing and all other forms of work done, too.  

Plus we added a lovely dog in the form of Elsa to our crazy bunch.  She is a sweetie, but does take some of my valuable time, too.

Also, many might have noted that I am posting this on Friday instead of Saturday, as I have pledged to take the weekends off now that the weather is indeed absolutely perfect to enjoy all sorts of outside activities.

And in case you hadn’t realized, every other Friday through the summer, FTSF is off for the summer.  Not going to lie, as much as I love FTSF, I am not completely missing sitting on the computer late Thursdays and all day Friday off and on to comment and moderate.

So, instead, I am posting up some of my thankful things this week early for all to read and enjoy Friday through the weekend now.

Without further ado, read on for some of my recent thankful things.


1. Awesome summer nails courtesy of this past month’s Julep Subscription.  Get your own Limited Edition Nautical by Nature Welcome Box.

Julep Iona

Julep Iona

2. Sunflower buds beginning to grow in Emma’s kindergarten sunflower project.

Sunflower Buds Finally Blooming for Emma's Kindergarten Project

Sunflower Buds Finally Blooming for Emma’s Kindergarten Project

3. Getting Pleygo subscription for the girls for the first time for the girls. If you missed the article, please click here.

Pley Legos Fun

Pley Legos Fun

4. Emma is a summer baby born in July, but that didn’t stop her pre-school from letting her celebrate her birthday a bit early with cupcake celebration before school was indeed over for the year.

Emma Pre-School Birthday

Emma Pre-School Birthday

5. I celebrated another birthday this past week turning 37 last week. While, I feel old, I am thankful to get to celebrate another year with my loved ones.  Complete with a Carvel Ice Cream Cake, Pandora Charm and two new Alex and Ani Bracelets.

Birthday Haul

Birthday Haul

My Birthday Cake

My Birthday Cake

6. School’s out for summer! The girls finally wrapped up pre-school on Thursday and no they are off for the whole summer. So again, my work schedule got that much more interesting with me working from home and them being home all day now.

Last Day of School

Last Day of School

7. Getting our own golden retriever puppy, Elsa. Seriously, she is such a cutie, but again a bit of work for dear old me, too!

Elsa Sitting Pretty

8. Celebrating my birthday out the weekend after while, grandma and grandpa watched the girls and the dog for a hot meal and cocktail, too.

Library Cafe Martini Birthday Drink

Library Cafe Martini Birthday Drink

Beer Tour for Kevin

Beer Tour for Kevin

9. Father’s Day being a success complete with celebratory cookout, plus the girls gave Kevin their pre-school handmade gifts made from love from them to him!

Pre-school Father's Day Gifts

Pre-school Father’s Day Gifts

10.  Forgive me, it has been a long week and honestly just glad to say it is drawing to a close and the weekend is just about upon us finally again!

Happy Summer!!!

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. coachdaddyblogger says

    1. Those Pleygos look cool. Even cooler than the legos I grew up with. We had to leave open space where the window was supposed to be! And when we got windows, they were little prison windows. Not that cool.

    2. The first rule for writing this summer: When your girls start wrestling each other, start writing. Write as hard as you can and as fast as you can, because at some point, you'll have to become referee.

    3. As a dad, the homemade gifts are always the best for Father's Day. Although new razors and dinosaur toys aren't far behind.
    My recent post Go Ask Daddy: World Cup Edition

  7. dianeroark says

    Janine,

    I always enjoying seeing your roundups. I truly love your family, especially Elsa. She is so adorable.

    Have a great weekend.
    Diane Roark
    My recent post Twix Skillet Cookie with Caramel

  8. Janine Huldie says

    Bill, you know I just adore you and seriously what can I say, but thank you always for being you and a friend indeed. Happy Friday and weekend ahead, too!! 🙂

  9. Janine Huldie says

    I love July for the birthdays and also for my wedding anniversary, too! 🙂 And as for Else, I call her my little fluff ball (even though she is going to most likely be huge, lol!).

  10. Niki says

    Happy, Happy Birthday!!!!!! I'm only 2 years behind you (I'll be 35 in September). I hope you had a nice time celebrating! And I can't get over Elsa. She's too cute! Love your nail color too!
    My recent post Link Love: 06.20.14

  11. irkedmommy says

    I love that nail polish color! My baby girl was born in July too! I'm so glad that your birthday and Father's day was a success. Elsa is so FLUFFY! I'm gonna die! She is so cute!
    My recent post Ask Away Friday From The Philippines!

  12. Pure Grace Farms says

    Sweet! I hope you have an awesome and restful weekend! Rest , rejuvenate and come back swinging.
    p.s. That is one adorable puppy!
    Blessings,
    Shari
    My recent post 3 Reasons to Make the Switch: Organic Laundry Soap Eco Nuts

  13. Heather says

    We just recently moved close to Grandma and Grandpa. They'll be taking my kids for a birthday night out too…except for the nursing infant of course. Love the sunflowers! My favorite. Good job, Emma!

  16. Janine Huldie says

    Aww, thank you so much much Niki and Happy Early Birthday to you, too. And I seriously was so happy and excited that we finally got a puppy here 🙂

  19. lisang@expandng.com says

    Happy you'll be outside (or inside) enjoying the lovely weather with your family! That dog sure is a cutie. She'll be house trained before you know it and it won't be as much. Believe me, the dogs are a cinch :). Great birthday haul and see you on Monday :).
    My recent post Throwback: perms

  20. Janine Huldie says

    Lisa, so far I am seeing that with training definitely easier with a dog then a child. And wishing you a great weekend both indoors and outdoors with your family, too! See you totally on Monday 🙂

  21. The Dose of Reality says

    Happy, happy, happy birthday, girl!!!! Ice cream cake, new bracelets, and a Pandora charm…I like your style!
    The girls look SO adorable on the last day of school.
    And SQUEE to your new puppy! She is so cute! I wonder how you got a name like Elsa?? (JK..Since .I have a daughter, too, and am well versed in all things Elsa and Anna!)
    HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!!!! –Lisa

  22. Janine Huldie says

    Lol, Lisa, we were walking the dog around the neighborhood last night and a guy stopped to ask about the dog. When he heard the name, he told my girls they should ask for an "Anna", too! Trust me Anna, Elsa and Olaf are on high gear here as you can totally see! Have a wonderful summer, as well!! 🙂

  23. Tracie says

    I LOVE that blue nailpolish! Perfect color.

    Happy birthday! I love the charms.

    And I really, really LOVE (there is a lot to love in this post, but maybe I'll try a new word…..) I really really ADORE your new puppy. She is the queen of cuteness.

    Happy summer!
    My recent post Step Over The Bad And Celebrate The Good

  24. Janine Huldie says

    Rea, trust me one dog and two kids are enough for me, too. As much as I love them all, I am totally done and not adding another person or animal, either to this crazy bunch! Thank you though so much and hope you are having a great week and even better weekend ahead now!

  25. Janine Huldie says

    Tracie, I love the word, love! So, totally use it away on my site and post. Totally made me smile with your lovely, awesome comment and wishing you now a Happy Summer, too 🙂

  26. christyb says

    As soon as I saw the post title I had the Alice Cooper song running through my head!! Hehe and then you had the lyrics there waiting for me 🙂
    I hope your girls have a fun, wonderful summer! I liked reading the post to catch up with you!

  27. Rea says

    Loved reading your list Janine! I like your birthday bracelets and I'm glad you enjoyed your day. I'm sure you're looking forward for the summer with your girls at home. Elsa is a charm! But not sure if I can add another pet to our house, we already have 3 Japanese spitz but they're not really mine and they're a handful but they're really well-trained too. 🙂 I can see why you'd be giddy about Emma's sunflower project. Back in school, I'd always feel excited if I see my plants growing well. Hope you enjoy summer! 🙂

  29. ginnymarie says

    It has been quite an adjustment having my girls home for the summer as well! My Emmy also has a July birthday and was thrilled to be able to celebrate it at school before the end of the year. She will be 7 on July 31st. How time flies! Have a great weekend, away from the computer!
    My recent post Debunking the Myths of Suburbia

  30. Jennifer Humphries says

    Oh yes, little princesses I have a lot of great princess crafts over at my Princess book blog you might want to check out. All tested by my 3 princesses. The link is off my personal page. I too am happy it's summer. No more school, huge projects, making bagged lunches, play practice, soccer, baseball, piano….. Just pure blissful summer!
    My recent post Airing Your Dirty Laundry: Mommy Reality Challenge #5

    • Janine Huldie says

      Total bliss for sure and loving summer right about now, too. Have to check out your princess book blog now, as well and sounds right up my alley for sure 🙂

  31. Janine Huldie says

    Time totally flies and love that they allow summer birthdays to at least celebrate with their friends at school. Have a wonderful weekend now, too 🙂

  34. Janine Huldie says

    I can’t believe it either and if you hold me, I will hold you. And someday when we can have a prolonged time to chat, I will tell you all about it and the some, promise 🙂

  37. Kim says

    Oh, no – I totally suck – HAPPY BIRTHDAY (a little late)!!! I hope that you have celebrated all week long!!! That martini looks awesome!

    • Janine Huldie says

      You do not suck at all Kim and I celebrated the weekend after, because a Tuesday night with kids and a dog just so was happening. But the martini was well worth the wait 🙂

  39. zoe says

    I was hoping to see ALice at the end! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! and what a fuzzball that ELsa is! Skip says to keep in touch! He thinks she’s adorable too!

  41. Growing Up Madison says

    My kids have been home since the end of May so I can totally relate to them being at home when you have so much work to do. I’m actually planning a few activities before they go back to school. You had a birthday while I was gone and I didn’t get to say Happy Birthday. Happy Belated Birthday my amazing friend.

  42. May says

    My favorite is the sister love photo. Makes me miss those good old days at my house!

  43. Michelle Liew says

    Hey! Hi to the girls and Elsa, and have a wonderful summer break now. Love the blue nails!!!

  44. Kenya G. Johnson says

    I scrolled down first to see if you actually got a dog. WOW! So cute and I love her “E” name. Now when you’re in fuss mode you’re going to mix everyone up. LOL! Love your birthday presents too.

  45. Val Newman says

    Wonderful post. I was a former Pre-school teacher. I liked the end of school just as much as the kids. Happy Birthday, I would have loved a sip of that coconut rimmed martini. Enjoy the summer with your precious ones. I look forward to linking up with FTFS in the Fall

    Val

  46. Jamie Miles says

    First of all — happy happy birthday. I turned 37 the year we moved out to the country in Madison. My life was just starting. Had no idea of that of course. And LOVE sunflowers. Have a awesome start to the summer Janine.

  47. Dyanne @ I Want Backsies says

    The Legos look fun. And like something even more fun to step on and accidentally vacuum 🙂
    Ice cream cake for your birthday? Yum!
    It will be fun watching the sunflowers grow. You’ll have to keep us updated on their progress.
    Happy summer!

  48. Considerer says

    Happy Summer to you Janine. I’m so glad you’re taking weekends off and keeping that precious time to spend with your lovely family. Such an important thing to do.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY. That cocktail looks amazing. I hope you had a beautiful time.

  49. Amy says

    Sorry I missed your bday. Happy belated birthday! Elsa….sounds like lots of Frozen going around. 🙂 She is adorable. That is a hard thing for kids that have summer bdays that they really do not get to celebrate with their classmates on the date. My daughters bday is in July, so for their class party I dropped of Happy Bday cookie cakes for her. Great Friday round up. Every time I hear that Alice Cooper songs, my mind goes to the Dazed and Confused movie. Have a great summer.

  50. Sandy Ramsey says

    Happy Birthday to you! I’m glad it was nice for you….and 37 isn’t old! You’re just getting started! We’ve been into our summer for three weeks now and it’s definitely an adjustment after having several free hours every day. Elsa is adorable! Goldens are great dogs. Just curious…how many times will you watch Frozen this summer?
    Seriously, I’m happy you have finally made it to summer and hope you enjoy all the sweet moments. It’s nice that you’ll be getting a break on the weekends. Enjoy!!

  51. Kristi Campbell says

    Is that coconut on the rim of your drink? I can’t figure it out! Happy birthday (again) Janine. And 37 is YOUNG. Also, huge congrats on the girls end of preschool – can you believe Emma and Tucker are going to be FIVE??? Yikes. Yes, to holding hands for kindergarten. Elsa is adorable. You make me want to get a puppy. For real. I feel you on having to work and manage kid time this summer, too. I’m not sure how I’m going to do it yet. Happy weekend! I hope it’s a wonderful one!

  52. Cyndy Bush says

    YAY for summer! I love that they celebrated the summer birthdays. Your birthday sounds great, love the Alex & Ani bracelets! I got one of t hose for my daughter as one of her graduation gifts =)

  53. Chris Carter says

    LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS LIST!!! SOOOOO AWESOME Janine!!! Good for YOU for taking the weekends off my dear! Oh, how those girls are just soooo precious. What a beautiful life you have- such blessings those girls, and your hubs!! I’m SO glad you got to enjoy a wonderful dinner on your special day- and I want that drink!!!

    I just love you so much. I hope you know how grateful I am that we ‘found’ each other. You bless me so… 🙂 XOXOXO

    Happy weekend sweet friend! ENJOY. <3

  54. Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says

    Happy belated birthday to you and early birthday to Emma! Zilla and I are both June birthdays as well – here’s to all of us! Kids at home sure does change life, doesn’t it? I’m in school all year, too, but being home together all day is a whole different world – great but exhausting. And so worth it!
    We have some of those Lego sets with the little characters – they are awesome! We love them! Didn’t know there was a subscription thing, though – have to click over and see what that is.
    Happy summer!

  55. clark says

    Happy Birthday!! (great time of the year for such a celebration, too)

    (Elsa…looking very good, quite the ‘look in the face’ you clearly have quite an intelligent dog there she will do well, as will everyone else growing up as a part of the pack there).

    Not cold!

  56. Rosey says

    Hurrah for slowing down a bit to enjoy summer. I’m doing that over here too. 🙂 I love your puppy, what a cutie!

  57. Cyndi Calhoun says

    Love this post! What fun about preschool. And the puppy is so cute! Those blue nails are fabulous and I enjoyed the photos. Plus, I’m only a couple years behind you as far as birthdays go – it rattles my mind that I can say, “20 years ago I did such and such” or “Oh yeah, I went to the Philippines when I was 15. That was 19 years ago.” OMG – it’s crazy what time does. Hehe.

    I hope your weekend is *fabulous*!! xo

  58. Aunt Gloria says

    Happy Summer! See you soon and can’t wait to meet Elsa….she’s a cutie! xxoo

  59. Alexa says

    Wow, that was a lot to go down in one week! Happy Birthday, again! Glad it was a good day. What is on the rim of that birthday cocktail? I hear ya on finding ways to work with the kids home. I have had to suck it up and hire a part time baby sitter. I just can’t get it all done with them home, and I want to be able to enjoy the time we have together. But I have been out of town all week this week at a family reunion and have not been working at all. It’s been nice to turn off everything and just hang out. We have had a good time, but I am anxious to get back to my routine. I am very proud of you for taking the weekends off. I find that if I pledge to take the day off, i will, but if I say I’m only going to check from time to time, I’ll spend hours on the computer. Have fun with those girls! And the hubs!

  60. Louise says

    Happy birthday! That cocktail looks wonderful!

    So much thankful here 🙂 My eldest finished school this week too – SO thankful. And she would ADORE both your blue nail polish and your eldest’s Hello Kitty shirt – which is awesome.

    Here’s to the start of a great summer!

  61. Mary Hill says

    Love the nails, birthday cake and father’s day celebrations. Family brings a lot to be thankful for. 😉

  63. Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says

    I love the nail color, the birthday cake, and of course the Alex & Ani bracelets!! I have a really neat feature coming up on them in the next few weeks!! Enjoy the summer, I know those two little lovelies will keep your hands full!

  64. April says

    After all of your fingernail posts, I have actually kept up my nails some. I put on a fresh coat of paint every couple of weeks, and get them done once a month. They don’t look awful. Happy Birthday again! I’m working to take the weekends off, but with the two little ones, I don’t have time during the week. No one told me it would be this hard! 🙂

  65. Melanie Chisnall says

    Looks like you definitely celebrated your birthday in style! Yummy looking cake and cocktail – perfect! 😉 Can’t believe it’s already summer holidays for you, I swear this year is just flying by. Glad you’re taking some R&R as well, and loving seeing pics of your puppy… please keep them coming! 😉 Have a great day.

  66. Jen says

    Happy Belated Birthday to you, my bloggie friend! I’m so late getting caught up from last week. Well, your week looks splendid! That coconut martini looks amazing and, well you know how I feel about Alex and Ani and Golden Retriever puppies! Too bad we don’t live closer because our pups would probably LOVE to play together. I hope you’re having another wonderful week with those little darlings of yours (they look like they get along so well)!

  67. Kathy Radigan says

    I can’t believe I missed your birthday!! Wishing you a wonderful year with a lot more Pandora charms!! Emma looks so cute celebrating her birthday, I love her outfit. School lets us for us on Thursday, it’s been a long year. Wishing you a great summer. And congratulations on the new member of the family, what a gorgeous puppy! Sending much love!!! xoxo

  69. Rabia @TheLiebers says

    My Henry’s birthday is and early summer birthday, but unlikely to ever fall during the school year here. I made him cupcakes for the last week of school too. I didn’t want him to feel left out!

  70. Brittnei says

    I missed TToT this past week. 🙁 I have not been feeling too great so I have been slow on responding and commenting. So happy to have you around another year..as I’m sure your family and friends nearby agree. Elsa is so cute in that photo. I have definitely contemplated getting a retriever myself. I guess we shall see.

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