Back-To-School

I always loved going back to school- and still do. I don't get the new notebooks or shoes anymore, but I'm excited for my kids to learn things and watch them grow. Kate is off to kindergarten and is learning to read! Emma devours chapter books and is learning her times tables. Sierra is loving junior high this year (an oxymoron, I know), and is a superstar at math and science. I love watching them. The only downside to the school year is that my brain is taxed with everything I am supposed to do and remember. Here's a sample:

The Back to School To Do List:
-Spend ridiculous sums on backpacks, shoes, clothes, lunch accounts, haircuts, fees, activity sign-ups, PTA dues, and school supplies.
-Keep kids organized for school. Make Sierra write in her planner, make Kate wear the right color of shirt during color week, be glad Emma can remember on her own to wear green and ride her scooter during safety week. Send box tops during the box top contest, send frozen rolls for the yeast science experiement, buy fabric for the sewing project, go to back to school night, help kindergartners at computer lab, time third graders' times tables, make Sierra practice keyboarding, help Kate learn how to do dot to dots, help Emma make a diorama, and yes, this is true, find a snail to bring for the upcoming Snail Olympics, then offer services as an official timer.
-Get girls going on extracurriculars. Spend hours in car driving kids here and there. Buy ballroom dance shoes, ballet slippers, soccer cleats, ice skates, leotards, tights, shin guards, performance costumes. Cheer at Kate's games, get Sierra in a carpool. Nearly have a heart attack while Emma auditions for the Nutcracker... and makes it!
-Try to feed family. Remember to pack lunches, morning break snacks, make dinners... most of the time.
-Try to get everyone in bed early enough that they will not cry when I wake them up the next morning.
-Add family dinners, meetings, church, writing group, playdates, Dad's wedding...
-Go to the gym to relieve stress... at 5:30 a.m. Try not to cry myself.

Yes, I have noticed the common theme of my posts is "wow, look at all this crazy stuff we crammed in..." Nope, I haven't balanced my world and made everything zen, but I have accepted that everything good comes with a price. Having kids = fun craziness. So, for better or worse, we are back to school!