sanity restored

I love my kids. I can have a lot of fun with my kids. But I get tired of my kids when all they do is fight and yell and whine and say there is nothing to do... So, back to school means a little bit of sanity for ALL of us- we have a more consistent routine, the kids get out of the house, they learn, they play, and they leave their lunch mess for someone else to clean up!!

Kate, 5th grade at a new school

Kate was especially nervous for school to start this year. She is attending an accelerated class at Saratoga Shores, which means: 1- she is not at the same school as her siblings. (yet.) 2- her class is made up of kids from 6 different schools so she only knows a couple of the kids. and 3- it is new halls, new routines, and new rules! But she is a smart girl and it won't be long before she knows the ropes. The biggest adjustment will actually be starting at 8:00am instead of 9:15am (a challenge for both her and me as we are definitely night owls at our house!)

Megan, 4th grade

Megan is the most relaxed about school this year. She knows enough of the kids in her grade to not worry about who's in her class. She knows the rules and procedures and routines at Snow Springs so she has been a big help for Emily who is having to transition to full days! She is happy to see her friends, excited to learn math and ready to start another year!

Soren, 2nd grade

Soren is my social butterfly and VERY happy to be back at school where he is friends with everyone he meets! He is my morning kid and was up and ready by 7:15am! It was a long wait until he could leave on his bike, just before nine!

Emily, 1st grade

Emily is in first grade this year and both excited and nervous about going full day! (hallelujah! no more mid afternoon car pool!) She will be fine when she learns the routines but it will take a little time to learn how the lunch room works, recess, specialty classes... when she does, I think she'll do great! School was SO good for Emily last year!

Ethan, playing Monster Baby (also known as the babysitting game)

And then there is Ethan.

I sent 4 of my kids off and then went to find my last. Of course, I found him laughing and content on the bluter (ethan speak for computer). It will be interesting to see how our year goes with just Ethan and I home most of the day. He kept asking (when we were at Back To School Night) where his class was and he seemed pretty upset that he wasn't going to be attending school this year. Hopefully we can find ways to entertain him and still get things done. My Mom and Dad are here this week from Texas so, it is hard to know what life will really be like, but I hope it will work out!

about to leave for school and save me the drive!
Emily, Megan and Soren
August 21, 2007

It is SO amazing to me that we send our kids off to school at such a young age. I don't remember feeling really anxious as a kid, but as the mom I feel so overwhelmed by the newness of each year. Will they like their teachers? Will they make good friends? Will they figure out the rules and understand their homework and find the library or the bathroom...

I hope my kids know, that although I say I am so happy for them to be out of my hair, I think about them all day long. I hope that they are safe, happy and learning. I pray that they are treated kindly and don't get their feelings hurt. I admire them for being brave enough to go out in the world and be themselves.

Going back to school is a BIG deal. And we all survived the first day- a good indicator that we will recover from summer and be restored to good mental health.