Another First Day

Back to school.... again. I'm not quite sure where the summer went, but I do know everyone here was ready for the kids to go back. I love this time of year, and always feel a sense of excitement and renewal. Maybe that's the student in me still trying to come out. Usually about a week before the first day I start making lists of lunch box ideas, dinners to make, outfits for the kids to wear. This year I didn't.

I didn't know why this year was different. I was very laid back right up to the night before. Transition the kids back into an early bedtime? They'll adjust. Go out and get new clothes? It's hot now, and won't be in a few weeks, why bother. I was cool as a cucumber.

It wasn't until the kids had gone to bed the night before the first day that it hit me. This was the first First Day of School ever that I didn't have a child making a major transition. I actually got out a piece of paper to write it all down to make sure. Last year Noah started middle school. Before that Alanya started first grade. Before that Ben started first and Alanya kindergarten. Before that Ben started kindergarten. And so on, back through first days of preschool all the way to Noah starting school. I was sort of amazed.

So this year I have a third grader, a fourth grader and a seventh grader. All big kids. How did that happen? They all love school and are happy to be there. I must have done something right with all those lists I used to make.