The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. No, wait....

School started yesterday. Was I ready? Heck, no! It was August 18th, for crying out loud! I feel sadness at the coming end of a precious commodity-- time. Time to do extra things with my kids. Not that there aren't good things about it, too... So here's what it is for me:

The Good:

My kids, who in the past week, have taken to annoying each other with a zeal that rivals any competition in the Olympics, will now have a bit of a break from one another.

As much as I think kids need a break during the summer, I also think that by the time school comes around, they start to crave a more scheduled day. And a chance to see friends more. And a chance to learn more. And feelings of accomplishment- the kind that come naturally with school.

All the things that I have been putting off getting done because it cuts into time spent with kids way too much, I can actually get done! Yard work, organizing my house (especially the toys! That one's so much easier done when a certain pack-rat isn't at home), plumbing, a little writing (ooo-- got a little giddy there), and the rest of my incredibly long list.

I get to go to school, too! (Giddy once again)

The Bad:

There's just not enough time! You know, for going to the park, to museums, for activities, for all that.

There are things about school that are tough for a parent-- keeping on top of homework, helping kids deal with teacher problems or problems with other kids....

Having to deal with the daily begging to stay home from a couple of kids. :-(

The Ugly: No, wait!! That's not ugly at all!!

My boys HATE school. A lot. I went to pick them up yesterday, steeled and ready to hear their barrage of complaints. This is what I heard:

Cory: [extremely enthusiastically] "I LOVE fourth grade! My teacher is the best teacher EVER!! Everything is so much better in fourth grade! I LOVE fourth grade! I can't wait to go again!"

Kyle: [equally extremely enthusiastically] "I have the nicest, kindest teacher! He complimented me twice in front of the class today, and he really hates bullies! School used to seem like it was this long [he held his hands about two feet apart], but in sixth grade, it's only this long [he shortened it to about 8 inches]. And, I get to be buddies with Megan [an unbelievably adorable girl with autism], and I get to help her so she doesn't have to have a teacher by her all the time! It is so cool! I LOVE sixth grade!"

I almost cried. BOTH of my school haters having wonderful teachers who have already changed their views on school. Both could hardly wait for today to come, so they could go again. I think I may be in heaven. Seriously. I think I hear a harp in the distance. And choirs of angels singing Hallelujah.

So, here's my kids in the ubiquitous front porch first day of school pose. (Btw, isn't it kind of cool that so many of us have the same tradition?!). Some day I'm going to have to line up each of these pictures, just to see how they have grown.


This is the one and only year that I will have all three kids going to the same school, going to school at the same time, and coming home at the same time. This picture will be my forever reminder of the perfect year.


This is Alecia's first time having lunch during school! She wanted me to be there, but I was late (curse the 35 minute checkout line at Wal Mart!!). I was worried that she would be freaking out, but I came in and saw a very peaceful, contented little girl who was eating ten times better than she ever eats at home. Everything was perfect in her mind.