first annual

Tonight we had our First Annual Back-to-School Dinner, inspired by the remarkable Nielsen family. The tradition: Every year, on the night before school starts, have a fancy dinner at home and present a theme for the school year, give the girls their father's blessings, and let them don their selected first-day-of-school outfits in a family fashion show. 

This year was extra special because Uncle Steven and Aunt Krystal were visiting for the weekend. It was a beautiful night, so we decided to eat on our screened porch.  I pulled out the nice dishes and christened a pretty vintage table cloth I fell in love with at a flea market. I let Ella and Lauren pick out a fresh bouquet at Eastern Market, and set the table with the mod podge votives the girls made in preschool; they were so proud.

The menu: herb-crusted pork roast, chunky apple sauce, smashed red potatoes, asparagus, mandarin salad and vanilla ice cream with fresh peaches for dessert. 

After our fancy dinner, I read The Little Engine That Could, and presented the theme, "I Think I Can." It can be hard to tell when they're learning what Kim and I want to teach them, but I hope they hear those words in their heads whenever they face a new challenge this year: "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

It's so fun to have family traditions! I just love it. I hope the girls do, too.