first day of school – Writes for all Mommies

The Summer of Love

August 19, 2016 WFAM

Per our tradition, I was seated at the counter flanked by the boys as we ate our final lunch of summer break. I don’t know why, but lunch at the counter seems more summery than table eating.

T.Puzzle (looking rather forlorn): “Why does school have to start again?”

Me: “The first day of school is that bad, huh?”

T.Puzzle: “It’s so bad we should call it The Day That Cannot be Named. The other day I hate is Valentine’s Day. It’s all love and bleh. I don’t understand why there has to be a whole day about love. It makes no sense.”

Full Speed (courtesy of a joke book): “If you’re born in November, that means your parents had a pretty cool Valentine’s Day.”

I laughed so hard I almost spit out my food. This made Full Speed laugh which only made me laugh harder. T.Puzzle remained unmoved, I mean, it was the day before The Day That Cannot Be Named after all.

T.Puzzle shares his true feelings about returning to school.

children, humor, kids, motherhood, parenting

Going, Going,…Gone

August 14, 2013 WFAM

Every time the boys begin a new school year, I have serious adjustment issues. That’s right, it’s ME that has the issues not them. This year was even more challenging because I realized I was going to genuinely miss them. Usually, I’m so ready for quiet, that it takes me a several weeks to start missing them. Not so this time. I missed them as soon as I dropped them off.

As I pulled our truck into the school drop-off lane for their first day, they could barely contain themselves. They were both adamant that I was not to walk them in (a knife in the heart would hurt less!). They tumbled out as quickly as possible and barely even threw me a glance as they raced toward their school. And, just like that they were…gone.

I realized that it isn’t that I fear their independence, though it certainly humbles me, it’s more that I fear the freedom that this independence affords me. If I am needed less, where does this extra time and energy go?

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to find out.

Have a great school year everyone!

Yes, Mom. We will pose... — Yes, Mom. We will pose…

T.Puzzle begins to lose it…

Now, T.Puzzle begins to lose it... — Yes, Mom. We will pose…

T.Puzzle begins to lose it…

Full Speed joins in... — Full Speed joins in…

It's all downhill from there... — It’s all downhill from there…

bad day, kids, mommyhood

You Called It

July 17, 2010February 9, 2017 WFAM

We are slowly getting back to our regular routine. I knew little T.Puzzle’s first day back at school was going to be ‘challenging’ after such a long vacation. In other words, it was really going to hit the fan. If you’ve read this blog enough, you know exactly what I mean.

During the week I did my best to prepare him for his return. I would tell him what we had planned for each day and talk enthusiastically about him going back to school on Friday.

He didn’t buy a word of it.

All I could do was rise and shine and put my game face on for school day. The boys were both awake when I determinedly entered their room. Full Speed was beaming. He was happy because he still had another day at home. Little T.Puzzle was a whining, miserable mess.

Full Speed pops up from bed and darts to the bathroom. Little T.Puzzle moves at sloth speed and tears abound. His attitude goes from bad to worse in six seconds flat and I order him back to his room to shape up. Then all we hear are piteous cries coming from the boys’ room.

I don’t know if it was the exhaustion of hosting six additional people for several days or my trips to the pool and beach, but in the midst of caring for all the clan, I had an earache brewing.

I offhandedly mention this to Mad Dog. Full Speed hears this too and promptly says, “I know why your ear hurts, Mom. It’s because little T.Puzzle is screaming so loud.”

Good call.

And for the record, little T.Puzzle had an awesome first day back.

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