School Daze

Oh yes! School started today. Here's how I prepared... First off, I made sure that everyone was in bed by 9:30-10 last night. Then I got to work! I had to make sure the house was cleaned and ready to be destroyed by the rush of 3 boys and a man all trying to leave the house around the same time. I set up the coffee maker for hubby, straightened up the cereal boxes on the shelf so they'd be easily accessed, made sure that all the cereal bowls were clean and ready to go, checked for clean towels, made sure everyone's clocks were set in intervals so that there wouldn't be a traffic jam in the hall, and lastly I colored my roots and watched some t.v. all by myself! Around 11:30 I was asking myself the obvious question, "Why am I staying up so late, when I have to get up so early?" I answered myself with another obvious question, "When do I ever have this kind of solitude?!" Duh!
Well, I'm paying for it tonight. The morning went smoothly. Everyone reached their destinations on time, looking snappy in their new back to school sneakers. I totally enjoyed the day spent with my daughter, playing, doing a few light chores, a little shopping. When the troops started filing back in the door this afternoon, we filled out back to school forms, talked about their day, passed out snacks and headed to the soccer field.....As the other parents screamed and cheered all around me at the scrimmage, I almost nodded off. Oops, I forgot dinner. McDonald's dollar menu it is! Now, 9:15pm. I'm Done!!! Must Sleep!! Night Night!!!

Back to school tradition

For the past 8 years, our family has had a back to school tradition. We pick a day, usually during the Labor Day weekend, to get up at 4:30 in the morning, drive to the ocean front and watch the sun rise. Most people that I explain this to think we are completely bonkers. I think that actually they are jealous of our craziness. It seems that so many people now-a-days get caught in a rut of unimaginative laziness. OK, most of the year, I fit into that prototype too. I owe my spurts of spontaneity to my Mother. I grew up with a Mom who allowed sleeping on our roof and having indoor banana wars. I remember her visiting me at school once with our pet snake in her purse. Now that's crazy and that's how I want my children to grow up. (Although, I won't be handling any snakes!) What's more important? Making memories with my kids or a few extra hours of sleep?!