I couldn't possibly pass over the first day of school.
I was initially nervous about this summer and what it would be like to have a brand new baby and everyone home. It seemed like a lot to adjust to all at once, but it was just what I needed.
The summer was fun and laid back and a perfect opportunity for me to get this mother-of-5 thing down (or on the way to "down".)
The last couple of weeks though has solidified the need to get back in the saddle of structure and purpose. So yesterday they left and after being excited that I would have a clean, quiet house for 7 hours a day, I soon realized that I had no one to help! One hour into the day I thought, "I have to watch the baby all day by myself?!"
But it's OK, school is good. School is great.
The girls are happy and all is well. In fact, in that same first hour Hazel looked at me, excited to be queen of the hive again and asked "so when do we get to play with Abby and Mia's toys?"
Do I really have a sixth grader? Yikes. I am grateful that our 6th grade is still in the elementary school. I get one more year all in the same school.
The night before school we had a special, nice family dinner where we introduced a family theme for the year. It is hung on the front door as a reminder every time they leave, that they have the power to choose. It will hopefully be the springboard for lots of family discussions on our responsibility to make good choices, from attitude to actions and everything in between.
Oh how I love these girls. I have confidence in them out in the world.
Freshly baked cookies awaited their arrival home. We sat together for hours after school at the table talking about their day and completing assignments and paperwork needed.
It was a perfect evening. My kids spent most of it working together and coexisting happily. My goal for the school year is to complete all of my work while they are gone so that when they get home from school, I am all theirs. I can sit and help with homework and be available and present.
Here's to a new school year!
9 comments:
A yearly theme sounds like a great idea. We'll have to talk about that at dinner.
You are convicting me big time with this post. And since I know you, and how you are honest, I know you mean it, not just trying to look like Mom of the year for the blog masses. I have had a bad attitude with the whole back to school thing...partly due to that I thought we would moving, and then our local school district made some very unfavorable decisions. But really, that should not matter. Family love trumps school politics. I love your yearly theme idea and this year's choice.
Beautiful.
Cheers
Mia looks worried in all 3 of those pictures. Maybe 2nd grade is scary!
So, our first day of school was not nearly as picturesque as yours. I grabbed my phone as we ran out the door to try and take a picture. I did manage a walk with the three yr. old and then fell asleep on the couch while he painted. There was no cookies waiting for my boys :(
Good going! I like your goals and your theme! BTW, cute cookie stand!
Love the printed signs. Reminds me of my dad. Yummy looking cookies. What a great family
cOMPLETELY AND UTTERLY CHARMING. OOPS ON THE CAPS. HOLDING BABY. I LOVE YOUR FAMILY. YOU GOOD MOM, YOU.
coexisting happily sounds so nice...I strive for that daily.
So adorable! Really a 6th grader??? They all look so sweet....and so do those yummy looking cookies!
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