New school year...

The beginning of the school year is a bittersweet time. The kids are a year closer to being grown-up and finished with summer vacations for good, they quickly become immersed in the small dramas of the school day and have less time for simply being kids, and the weather, if still sunny now, will soon start to worsen into the grey days and constant dreary drizzle that our region is known for. The mornings start earlier for everyone (the bus comes at 6:25am!), and the house is so empty and quiet during the day...

On the other hand, the kids take a step forward each year, and there is such joy in watching them tackle the increasingly difficult challenges of each new class. Dinner conversations are lively and filled with the day's huge (perspective, people) dramas. The weather has been staying glorious, and I have a kickin' new pair of boots that I bought during the spring sales-- so I can hardly wait for the rain. The early mornings mean I can hear the birds begin and watch the sun rise, I beat the crowd to the Starbucks, and I get to work so much earlier that I don't feel guilty skipping out to enjoy the afternoon sun. And the house... the house is so gorgeously empty and gloriously quiet after the kids leave in the morning... My sweetie and I took a day last week and worked from home to bask in the silence. So worth it.

As of this morning, it has finally begun to threaten real rain. I love staying in on rainy weekends, curled up by the window with a warm laptop quilt and a cup of coffee. As we live in the perpetually damp Northwest, we have more than our share of rainy days, and plenty of rain boots, rain coats, and umbrellas to go around. A couple of years ago, I put together a kit to honor these humble items, and the glorious fun that a kid can have in a puddle, when properly enjoyed. As I promised it to you, my lovely readers, and failed to post it in a timely manner, I sincerely hope you still enjoy it... two years late.

Rainy Days & Mondays -- Today, a  couple of QPs to whet your appetite, then a piece of the kit each day for two weeks, perhaps a little longer if I throw in the alphas and more QPs. I also made some flair (I do love flair.) and a couple of frame clusters.

Click HERE to download from MediaFire, and HERE from 4shared.

Comments are welcomed and appreciated deeply.