Goodness, I can’t believe August is here! We’ve had a fun and adventurous summer around the Pond with lots of togetherness, lazy days, and wanderings through favorite places and backroads. Now, we’re in our final week of summer vacation, and I’m admittedly not quite on board with starting a new school year yet. As I was putting together this month’s downloadable calendar with all the illustrations of school supplies, I realized again… It’s time, and I’m not sure I’m really ready.
Each year, I understand more and more what a treasure these slow months between May and August really are and how blessed I am to have the freedom to share them with my little ones as they’re growing and still shaping themselves. The start of a new school year is part of that process! As we’re sorting through school supplies, testing out new backpacks, and juggling school open houses, I’m also reminding myself that the end of one joyful time brings with it the excitement of new beginnings and all the possibilities they offer.
My kids will explore new schools and activities. New classes and new ways to tap into things they’re really excited about. For me, this season often feels like a fresh start. The chance to refocus. To order my days a little more deliberately, to carve out time for developing all the ideas that have been percolating. And to continue fine-tuning Small Pond Graphics. For our family, the new school year means reclaiming some of the routines and family habits that we’ve set aside during summer’s carefree days. Laying down some of those routines for a time makes them all the more special when we begin to pick them up again. It’s the chance to re-knit our time (and our hearts) together through familiar traditions and daily habits.
As we say goodbye to this carefree summer and hello to a new month with all the changes it brings, my heart can say: GOOD things are starting.
I hope you enjoy this month’s printable calendar and its little reminder to embrace those good things! you download the calendar here and pass on the cut-away art when the month is over. Happy August!
Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of 
