First day jitters

Tomorrow is the big day. Second grade! Caty is not at all excited. I was surprised she was asleep about 1 1/2 hours earlier than normal - I guess her anxiety couldn't beat out sheer exhaustion. She is angry that she has to go back tomorrow but Sabrina doesn't start pre-school until next week. Nothing is ever fair in her life, poor kid. So, I'm hoping tomorrow is an absolutely fantastic day for her. She hated first grade and is bummed that her BFFs aren't in her class this year. But, I'm sure she'll come home with some new girlfriends. There will be new stories and new adventures, I hope. I'm praying the excitement will rub off on her. Hey, at least she's jazzed about having a new outfit to wear. It's something, right?

Back to school

Is it possible to look forward to something, yet dread it, at the same time? School starts the day after tomorrow and as much as I've been waiting for the big day to arrive, I'm also wishing it was further away. I want Caty back in school just to give her something to occupy her time. She gets bored fairly quickly and school is a remedy for that. But, I love being with her. I love chillin' with her in the morning. I love the way she asks me a million questions. I love that she's still young enough to want to sit next to me and snuggle. But, I don't love the way she fights with her sister. And I don't love the attitude she gives me, so I am relieved that the dose of reality she'll get from school will minimize those issues. So, today and tomorrow are her last days of freedom. Sabrina doesn't start school until the 18th, and it's only pre-school so it's a few hours, three days a week. As much as I will relish that free time to do work and/or chores, it always leaves a void. It's strange that you can feel this physical loss when your kids are absent. I asked Caty if I could make a big poster that says Welcome Home and hold it up when her bus gets home on Wednesday. Her jaw dropped to the floor. I told her maybe I could rush onto the bus carrying balloons and singing about how glad I am to have her home. I thought she would faint. Maybe I should do it anyway, because deep down (way, way deep down) I know there is a little girl who is happy to have her goofy mom love her that much!

A brand new season

It's been a while since I've blogged and it seems that I never have the time to do this steadily. Actually, I probably do have time, but I spend it doing other things. Things where I don't have to think! So, a new page has turned on the calendar and it's a new month. September - one of my favorite months of the year. I love this time. Everyone is trying to hold on to summer, upset to see the sun fading sooner and missing the beach and the pool and the barbecues. Me? I say "See ya summer" without a look back. I love fall. It's so cozy and cool. It makes you want to be outside and get your cheeks chapped when there's a nip in the air. It reminds you of football and apple picking and jumping in leaves. And, next week, my oldest daughter starts second grade. I was so excited to buy her school supplies. We went shopping for a new pair of sneakers and it brought back memories of my first pair of "high" heels that I bought for school. Yes, I'm from a time when you had only a few pairs of shoes - one pair for school, one pair for play, one pair for church, parties, etc. She was a bit lost on the whole new shoe excitement. She wanted high heeled sneakers or ballet flats with rhinestones on them. And as I sat sharpening her 50 pencils, I could picture one of my old classrooms and remember the pencil sharpener mounted on the wall. Remember how awful it was when there was a loose one and the part with all the shavings would fall off and land all over your feet? (Please excuse my departure there) So, anyway, it's a new month, a new season and a new time. Make it a good one!