Back to school time

There are mixed emotions this year.  I love getting back into a routine and getting the kids into bed at a decent (ie earlier than me) bedtime. School starts on Monday and we had orientation today. 

First stop was the elementary school, where we know the routine.  Go to the cafeteria, get the clinic, PTA, and transportation forms.  Fill out the two and turn them back in, leave the third on the table for the next person, (I’ll let you figure out which one I don’t fill out) and head to the classroom.  Meet the teacher, fill out some more forms, sign here, sign there, nice to meet you, out the door. 

Then, we take the inaugural trip to the middle school. This is where things get a little hectic because I’m out of my element.  I don’t know the building, the teachers, the routine of it all.  I recognize some of the other parents and students, but there are more unfamiliar faces than I’m used to.  We find the boys’ homerooms, meet the teachers, follow directions, fill out more forms, check here, check there, find their schedules, compare their schedules, wonder what math is going to be like for them in the same class, and head out the door.  Spinning.  Overwhelmed.  And it all hits me.  I’m not ready!

I’m not ready to get back into the hectic school routine.  I like early bed time, but I don’t like homework and projects.  I like routine, but I don’t like more things on the calendar.  I like organization, but I’m not ready to clear out the dining room and make way for all of the new files and information that are on the way.  

Too bad. One thing I have learned is that you can’t stop time.  The kids are going to grow up, the kitten is going to become a cat, and Big Brother will award another houseguest $500,000.  I’ve got four days to get used to the idea of back to school. And I think I can embrace shopping for school supplies if I know that I’ll get a new pen out of the deal.