Back to school time!

Well, let me start by saying I love all my children dearly, and I am forever grateful to have them all in my life but I have to say this summer was incredibly challenging for me with all three of them at home, together, all of the time. My two eldest children just do not get along at all for even a moment.....EVER, and I have heard enough shrieking and screaming to deafen a small country. Sollie started picking on his little sister too and she started taking on his insanely high pitched shriek of defense.

But.......something wonderful happened this week. 

School started!

This may sound harsh to some of you parents out there, but for me(doing the parenting alone in week long stretches)  trying to keep my kids happy all summer long was the most exhausting task I have ever had. I have put my own needs on the back burner for so long that I feel I am not even my own person anymore. Kids don't understand that their mother is a person too and I don't think that really sinks in for anyone until they have a child and can put themselves in their parents shoes for the first time.  As a Mama and a person in general you can really only put your needs completely aside for so long before you start to lose it. Without the backup of my husband  during the week I am unable to get the breaks I need to refresh and feel good, about anything.

With school starting again and my middle child starting full time Kindergarten this year, it has opened up a small window of sanity in my day. A small chunk of time where I can go for peaceful neighborhood walks with my youngest to look for kitties, or go to the park with her to watch the ducks. I can clean my house and do laundry while my little one plays quietly with her toys and listens to music. It is so quiet and peaceful, I can even hear my own thoughts again!!!

 

My sweet tired guy the morning of the first day of school.

I was a little sad about Solomon starting school full time. It is bittersweet. He was my buddy and my sweet little guy for so long. He still is of course, but I can tell he needs more than time at home with mom. He loves school and I am so proud of how he just walks so easily into new situations because that was not at all easy for my oldest child.

Sophie is in Middle School,7th Grade, which I am sure you can tell by the look on her face. Sophie has always done better with a daily schedule and routine, I think despite the freedom that comes along with summer break, not knowing what each day would bring stressed her out.
 Just for fun, here is a look back seven years ago to her first day of Kindergarten:

Awe...so little and sweet!

Here is to a new school year, new friends,new lessons, new challenges....... and just a little bit of quiet.