Today I took a 3rd grader and a 5th grader to school, which is just flat out hard for me to fathom.
Honestly, this is the last year of elementary school for my eldest and since she was JUST BORN, there must be some weird time-space discontinuum thing going on.
The principal offered Koffee and Kleenex to the new kindergarten parents and darn if I didn’t think about nosing in on that.
The thing is, when they are in school I DO get more work done.
And the routine serves us all well in some ways.
The house is tidier.
Exercise is steadier.
Bedtimes are… well. There actually are bedtimes.
But sometimes I think bedtimes and tidy houses and work are overrated.
Y’know?
I mean, compared to kayaking.
And dominoes.
And ice cream cones.
And campfires.
And cannonballs.
And libraries.
And turtle catching.
And musicals.
And boogie boarding.
And naps.
And postcards.
And stuff like that.
All with a couple of the most enthusiastic little people on the planet.
But it’s almost September now and those little people were nearly popping with enthusiasm as we rolled up to school this morning. "I love summer and I love winter, too," said Small One.
Which is really pretty hilarious when you consider it was 103 degrees again today.
But I know what she means.
She’s ready.
Ready for another year of exploration and accomplishment and connection and fun.
And so are the other happy kids I saw stomping into school today with their new haircuts and tennis shoes.
Who am I to put the brakes on things?
Bring it on, I say.
Bring the new teachers and the dioramas and the book fair and the sleepovers and the kickball games and the morning assemblies and the permission slips and the monkey bars. Heck, bring on the times tables.
Bring it all on, and I’ll get some popsicles to serve after school…
This is lovely, Liz.
Thank you, Tammi…
Happy back-to-school to you guys!
It’s been really great so far. On Monday I got a nicey-nice email from M’s teacher saying her 2009/2010 class is dynamite. I told M. His response: “I know. She thinks we’re phenomenous.”
I mean, and they ARE, right?
Phenomenous and spectaculal.
Oh I don’t know whether to long for my own kids to be that age so I can appreciate it the right way this time or wish that you could adopt me. 🙂
You’re invited over for a popsicle anytime, Susan!
Tanita Says 🙂
Yeah. My brother put his Facebook note up, “Oh, no, school tomorrow!” And then I wrote, “Yeah, but you’re happy,” and he had to admit that he’s excited. When the adults say, “bring it on!” and let that excitement and enthusiasm continue, it can go on forever. So, woot, and bring on the popsicles!
Re: Tanita Says 🙂
Yes, that’s the hope. No feet draggin’ around here…
My son’s FB posts from his first few days of college are along the lines of “It’s AWESOME AWESOME AWSOME!!” And my daughter leaves for her exchange semester in Ireland in less than a week. But they both got (or are getting) haircuts and new shoes, just like old times in elementary school. 🙂
Now I’m trying to figure out how to mail popsicles . . .
Oh Sara. Can you BELIEVE it — that he’s in college now, too????
It is the “AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME” that makes it survivable as a parent, right? Just such a happy comfort to see them happy…
I hear ya! Got a little giddy buying all their school supplies last night – what’s more exciting than new markers and pencils and calculators, right? ^_^ My kids start next week. love to you, Kirk and the kids! Jen
Love and happy fresh pencils to you, too!!!
We did one of our First Day of Kindergarten programs at the library today, and I was all, “You’re starting Kindergarten this year? No, really? Are you sure? You too? How is this possible?” It’s one of the many ways kids keep us connected to the world. You just HAVE to stop and notice time passing sometimes.
from annette
Liz, my kids were also JUST BORN, and my oldest is starting his sophomore year in college. My baby left last weekend to spend his entire sophomore year of high school in Japan, and I have been ridiculously teary-eyed for two weeks. But yeah, no brakes. Bring it on.