Transitioning back

The first weeks of school are behind us. We have settled into a new routine, and everyone is finding their happy place.

Norah loves kindergarten. She is a girl of few words when it comes to a recap of the day and she relishes her quiet time when she gets home from school, which I can totally appreciate. After a whirlwind of stimulation, she gets home, closes herself in her room and sings every song imaginable while playing with her dolls, rarely giving us a glimpse into what her day entailed until bedtime when she's finally ready to talk.

Emma is in a class with many of her friends, loves her teacher and has already found her comfort zone. She loves specials, reading, and has decided, much to her father's chagrin, that math can be pretty hard. Her smile never leaves her face, she is up early and gets ready for school quickly, and I look forward to our bedtime chats each night where you never know just what direction the conversation may go. Soccer has started for her after school as well and it consumes her heart right now.

Grace has once again found her niche at school. When I pick her up from school she is the first to want to spill every detail of her day and appreciates anyone who finds as much fascination with school as she does. She loves learning, has found a deeper appreciation of music through band, and has embraced being a "role model" in school now that she is the oldest. She has also started back up with soccer which she still loves, but I think secretly she's looking ahead to basketball season.

I have found my sweet spot as well. The first awkward days are behind me and knowing that I can leave the building when I'm done teaching has awarded me an escape from situations that I can't handle right now. I do most of my work from home this year (planning, grading, communication, etc) which I don't really enjoy, as in the past I have liked the social interactions of things like lunch, shared prep time, and after school chats, but it seems this is my new normal and I'm okay with that. I enjoy being able to pick the girls up from school each day and provide a less {self induced} stressed environment at home. The extra hour after school to do homework, prepare for the next day and prep dinner has created a much more relaxed evening of getting back out the door for activities at night.