They're Back!

The day has come and my little people have returned to school. I have shifted gears, with my paying job taking front seat to my other full time position. It was very difficult to go about my duties when my thoughts and my heart were with my littlest as he began his first day of Grade One. I kept a constant watch on the clock and tried to imagine what he was doing at that exact moment. It is enough to drive a mother crazy (it would be a short drive though, as I'm halfway there already.) He asked me if I was sure he had to stay all day and he couldn't understand why he was getting a snack and a lunch. It looked like so much food in his little Spiderman lunch bag. Funny thing was, when I picked him up he was ready to eat anything that wasn't nailed down. The only thing he could do more of than chew was yawn. He was one tired, hungry, happy guy and the first day of Grade One was deemed, 'awesome!'

My eldest, not to be outdone by her brother, kept up a steady monologue about her day. Whether I tried to talk to her about planners, lunches, making good choices or gym clothes the standard response was, "Yes Mom, I KNOW!" She walked in a circle around our main floor and talked the entire time. I know everyone who is in the class, where they sit, what they wore, who they like/dislike, what they ate for breakfast......you get the idea. After a solid two hour debriefing she deemed the first day, "alright." I think that is Fourth Grader-ese for awesome. At least that's what I'm hoping.

So we're back into the fall routine for better or for worse. What do I plan to do differently from last year. Less, is my answer. As I look at these little people of mine, I'm realizing that they are the bright capable people I want them to be. So in order to maintain some semblance of sanity I am passing the torch down to them. They can pack the lunches (with help), make their beds (I won't interfere), load the dishwasher (I'll buy plastic plates) and maybe I can slow the gray hairs just a little bit. At least until the teenage years hit, then I'm going to shave my head! That's if I have any hair left.