The End of Summer

Well my friends the end of summer has come and gone contrary to the fact that fall still doesn't even loom on the horizon in TX. Tonight many stressed parents are tucking their exhausted little ones into bed after an exciting first day of the school year. They have fretted over all the big and small things that come with the first day of school. They have filled out what seemed like millions of forms, met the teacher, had ice cream socials, and searched high and low for the correct school supplies, uniforms, tennis shoes and Hello Kitty backpack.

Ok. Maybe I was the only one searching for the correct Hello Kitty backpack. It was worth it though when we found it at the third Target we went to and it was met with a high pitch squeal "It is perfect!". Thank God because I was running out of Targets to search in the tri-county area.

Four of my dearest friends had an even bigger first day of school than most because their babies entered kindergarten this year. It was hard for even me to believe as I listened to their harrowing tales. These four brought me lots of laughter and a few tears. I think they are a perfect representation of the masses that are out there going through the same thing.

The Mom whose son sheds tears over being away from her yet is ecstatic to wear his tie to chapel.

The Mom whose son bounds in the door without a second glance which is good because mommy's heart was broken.

The Mom who has been counting down for weeks and recently told me 48 hours to go!

And lastly, the Mom who has been the most nervous and with just cause because her little girl is such a home body. She knew it would be a struggle for both of them and it didn't help that Friday night she felt compelled to scrap all the plans they had made after a disastrous meet the teacher moment. It was for the best though and from what I hear she did fabulously today!

And then there are also those that will remind you that the whole task of sending your kid to school says as much about you as them. Like lets say for instance a insightful sister who taught school for several years and continues to remind us how we will be judged by the information we put on their forms, the lunches we make, and the random information our kids divulge while they are at school. Oh and your kid's backpack well that apparently speaks volumes about you and provides information upon sight as to your parenting style and the child's birth order. Thanks Juli since I was not anxious enough already.

I am doomed.

I love my little girls but let us be honest, I am far from perfect. There will be days when their lunch will probably be less than nutritious and I will consider it a success that they have one at all. I seriously doubt their sandwich will be cut into cute little shapes routinely or that I will always remember to place a wet wipe in it so they can clean their hands more efficiently. Things will be said to the teacher that may reveal some less than flattering things about us as parents. Or that will leave me pondering the notion of what television show they heard that word on or whether or not I should give Papa a call and let him have it.

That is life though and we all go through it. I think more than anything we all just want our kids to be appreciated for who they are and we all know that no one can do that like us!

Tomorrow I will drop the girls off at their first day of pre-k. Not an extremely monumental occasion but I do have a small amount of anxiety. I pray that they will make friends and that their teacher will recognize their uniqueness and not just see them as "the twins".

Blessings to all you parents, teachers and kiddos out there. I wish you nothing less than a fabulous school year!