A Gingham Boardwalk Dress and Some Denial

At this point in time, I know I'm supposed to be talking about fall-ish things but you know what? I'm not ready for that yet. We've been enjoying the bare foot, popsicle-filled, dog days of summer, and I'm not so sure I want to see those days go yet.

Just last week, I drove by a house near ours that was already decked out in full Halloween decor, and all I could think was, "this is not happening yet."

We have too many pool days left. Too many afternoons spent at the park. Too much summer left to seize. And yet...



And yet, school is starting next week and fall is looming in the near future. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I love wearing boots and drinking apple cider and visiting the farm to pick out the biggest, fattest pumpkins, but I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to the sunshine and to welcome my daughter's first day of kindergarten and my son's first day of preschool. I'm not ready.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I was holding this little 6 pound, 2 ounce peanut in my arms? She was a preemie, born early due to my own physical complications I never knew about until I became pregnant (more on that here at my old blog.)

We were scared the duration of my pregnancy because we weren't sure when she would be born. Despite bed rest and careful monitoring, Haley was born 5 weeks early and came into the world wailing, determined. Strong. She never spent 1 day in the NICU. And now she's grown into the sweetest, most empathetic, outgoing little soul.  She's truly a gift, and we're blessed to be called her parents. And she's ready, more ready than I am, to take on this new kindergarten adventure.

In an attempt to cling to summer as much as I can, I  pulled out a favorite pattern, the Boardwalk Hoodie and Henley by Peek-a-boo Patterns, and sewed up the most summery dress I could think of. This pattern is actually intended for knits, but I just knew when I first purchased it that, with a few modifications, it would work great for cotton fabrics too.

I had a gingham tablecloth that I've been holding onto, waiting for the perfect use. This seemed like the opportunity I've been waiting for - what's more summery than gingham? I went up a size and switched the front and back bodices so the buttons were in the back. I lowered the front neckline and, rather than gathering the front of the dress as the pattern suggests, I made a knife pleat in the center front. I also swapped the traditional sleeves for cap sleeves.

The back is my favorite. I've been hoarding these sweet little strawberry buttons for awhile now, and this dress was the perfect way to let them shine. So much summer goodness wrapped up in one dress.

Something else my daughter learned this summer? How to pump her legs on the swings so she can swing herself. So proud.

And this guy? He's going into preschool for the first time. He's really blossomed the past year, and I can't wait to see all he's sure to learn in his first year of preschool. I'm not as emotional with him as I am with my daughter since preschool is only 3 days a week and I'll be an assistant teacher in his school (another first!), but he's still my baby. And he still hates having his picture taken! Boys.

We're already seeing little glimpses of fall here in Pennsylvania. A few fallen leaves, a cool day here and there. They say this winter is going to be a cold one, and some of the trees are already starting to change.

But don't leave yet, summer. I'm not ready yet.

And, if you'd like to shed a few tears along with me, read this.