Run on sentences...

Unless I forgo sleep all together I just can’t contribute to this poor blog the way I used to…or want to for that matter. I am sad that my rants won’t be poured out the way they once were, (not that I ever really write, but I do love looking back at the photos) but with school starting back up, life seems to be shifting from crazy to all-out chaos. I am cashing in on the fact that our terrible two is still catching some beauty sleep while the older girls are at Adventure Guides. Otherwise, it may be mid-November before you hear from me again.  ***darn, is that a sleeping beauty I just heard call my name?! It’s like she can read my mind.

Anyway, in my mom-of-the-year way, I will keep my fingers crossed and hope that my drowsy diva is slow in waking so I can at least finish this post. The summer has been great and it once again has left me excited for routine and challenge, yet dreading the logistics of how to accomplish it. Here are a few thoughts as the school year once again (year 12 y’all) approaches.

1.       I have a second grader. (Gulp) Since when did tiny babies with their powdery-fresh scent, squishy rolls and soft, pudgy cheeks turn into smart, sassy, second graders overnight?! I want the last 7 years back. Seriously. My sassy pants is so ready for school. She can’t wait to see her friends, and is so excited that she has the teacher she was hoping for. I’ll pretend like she is really going to miss me and our days together this summer, but I fear that I have become plain ole’ “mom” and my superhero days of being needed have waned.

***Side note, I have accomplished going to the bathroom alone. It took 7 years, but I can sneak away to the bathroom by myself…almost 25% of the time. The other 75% of the time I feel that near-death is imminent so I probably shouldn’t lock them out… unsupervised… together. It’s amazing what the 3 of them can accomplish in 45 seconds.

2.       A kindergartener is emerging! When filling out her paperwork today, I was stumped by the question, “anything else I should know about your child?” How do I sum up 5 years of my comical, stubborn, sensitive, intelligent, inquisitive, beautiful little girl in just a few words?  She will flourish, I know she will. There is nothing I can tell a teacher that will ever express the love and protection I want poured out onto my baby girl, but I am sooo not ready to send her off to school. She is too self-assured and independent to let go of, as I know that my mountain-mover won’t ever look back.  

3.       No-No’s been called to the big leagues! She will be moving up to the 2’s at school. She is getting her old teacher back and we couldn’t be more thrilled. That kid is a bucketful of laughs, and I’m so thankful for the comic relief wrapped up in that precious little babe as we embark on one of our busiest years yet. (Reassuringly?? everyone reminds me that it just gets busier the older they get …that’s NOT helpful, people! How can that even be possible?!)

4.       School has started for me and it has been crazy. With newfangled technology I am spending so much time trying to navigate this huge learning curve that I am not getting my “usual” back-to-school things accomplished. At 32…er…33 (seriously just had to stop and do the math, yikes) I feel like I am in my first year of teaching all over again. Each day I talk myself off the ledge and convince myself that I don’t have time for a panic attack. Good thing only relatives read this blog…it doesn’t really shout teacher-of-the-year, does it?! It’s shaping up to be a great year, I promise, it’s just going to take A LOT of work.

5.       Speaking of work…that has become Mark’s middle name. We are all super proud of the fact he is following his dream to become a professor. I am exhausted just watching him. Crazy schedules at work followed up by writing curriculum and lesson planning at night has left a very tired man. Our romantic evenings have become lesson planning at the kitchen table. (Jealous, aren’t you?) However, tomorrow’s the BIG day. He will be teaching his first class. Though this semester juggling two jobs is going to be a struggle, I know it will be worth it in the end. Average nightly sleep at our house over the past 8 days…4 hours. It could be a rough fall.

6.       Summer has come to a close. Highlights…N started pedaling her trike, G started the piano and is rockin’ it, E became a swimmer (a.k.a. doggy paddler). Crossed Disney off the bucket list, enjoyed flying as a family, and spent an incredible summer exploring what the city had to offer. The girls each read 1500 minutes, G knocked 18 books off of her reading list (2 chapter books a week, peeps…that’s amazing), and E emerged as a real reader. All three girls found a new love for gymnastics, made some great memories with their cousins, and had quality time with their grandparents. Not to mention, catching up with friends old and new.

**Okay, done at 6. My ranting has gone on too long and the babe wants to snuggle. What better reason to quit than that. Time to stop recording life…and enjoy living life. Talk to you again at Thanksgiving.