Today's A New Day...the first, only 179 to go....

Good Grief.

Do all moms go through painful withdrawals on the first day?

Guilt.

Joy.

Sadness.

Potential.

Worthlessness.

A severe need for chocolate?

PS - there is none in the house!!  No chocolate chips even....I had to steal a 

mini Almond Joy out of McCauley's school survival kit.

I figure it was for someones survival anyway...plus she doesn't like coconut or nuts.

normal?

I remember last year....

it was very similar, but maybe worse.

The kids are gone.

They are off learning....I am very excited for them.

Man, they were so pumped last night.

Checking and double checking times,

schedules, and supplies.

Lawson especially.

We met he and McCauley's teachers last night.

He was sooooooo relieved to find that his home room teacher,

Mrs. Iocano does not specialize in Math,

but rather Science.

He admitted that he pretty much lucked out this year.

Not a bad attitude to start with.

I biked all the kids to school this morning :

Lawson 5th / McCauley 1st -  Surfside Elementary - 8:15 - 2:45

Ethan 9th - Satellite High - 8:45 - 3:30

Ryker 7th - DeLaura Middle School - 9:30 - 4:15

Pretty Amazing that they are all within biking distance!!

What a bonus that is.

 Here we go!

I love M's teacher's theme this year...

Camp IWANNALEARNALOTTA!

Her whole room is decked out....even down to the little camp fire

they sit around for story time, etc.

Lawson really takes this school business serious.

He really got into his new school clothes also.
(He is the only one of the 3 brothers that will wear a collared shirt to school, 
I still need to remind him to undo the top button.)

We had fun shopping together....

I never would have guessed it,

but that kid has a fun style all his own.

After we dropped M at her class, she is attending a "mixed"

class this year - 1st and 2nd graders....just two from her Kindergarten class got

picked for this opportunity, 

she and the "smartest kid" in her kindergarten class.

L and I were walking over to his room,

I reached for his hand, 

he withdrew his.

I was like, hey sir, we are Mother and Son...

we still get to hold hands mister.

He relinquished his hand to me.

(Sorry, but not yet my friend.

The older two never did really hold hands with me

....I've got to hang on to it as long as I can).

 This kid is in High School.

What? no. Yes really.

He said I didn't have to ride with him to school...

but what the heck?

Why wouldn't I?.....I will keep out of sight, leave before anyone cool

might see me.  

I just wanted to see the route he was going to take....

make sure he could find the building for his first class...

you know.

Ryker was gnawing at the bit to leave.

He is the straggler, the late starter like Ethan was last year.

He played us a few hymns to calm our nerves and

set the tone for the day.

I really used to love it when Ethan would practice his piano before school

last year.  Looks like I will get a repeat.

 There he goes.......look at him go.

 now here i am.

I have been wanting to try these rollers I got at Ross's for forever.  

Well, today is my lucky day.

I have all the time in the world.

No interruptions.

No one to need my attention.

Look, I made an amazing spinach, bean, egg, barbecued chicken salad

for lunch.....or brunch anyway.

I ate at 10:45.

I can eat when I want....no ones schedule to mind but my own.

 Hey....four eggs...why 4?  

I only needed one....just me, myself, and I.

I know I will enjoy my time and be productive....
give me a few days.
I need to get past all my...
"would-a, could-a, should-a's"

What-a-day!
How did your first day go?

Just talking out loud....

Well, week two of public school starts up tomorrow. I can't believe we are already two weeks into it. So far we are all really enjoying ourselves. The kids are on this crazy adventure. They are so serious and responsible with their homework, and cannot believe the kids they see at school that "don't even do it", they see some kids in class that just hurry and fill in the answers when the teachers go over their work. They are flabbergasted and just don't get it. I am really proud of all their efforts.

Myself....I was really panicked as to how I would handle my alone time. After seven years of having my whole gang home with me and working together on their education, I was terrified to see a huge chunk of my identity marching out the door. Who am I now??? What makes me amazing and special without the fact that I gasp....HOMESCHOOL my children!!!!?. Now I am just a normal mom. I am regular. Anyone can be a mom. I am coming to grips with my normalness. It (embarrassing to admit) makes me think back to High School.....feeling so average and invisible. What would it take to stand out from the crowd and be a unique and interesting individual. Not being the head cheerleader, or class president, class clown......etc. Religion was not something that could help me stand apart, because growing up in Utah EVERYONE (except for the few that stood out cuz they weren't) were also LDS.

Anyway, in all truth, I am loving my time. I have purposefully been staying quite busy. Surprisingly enough the days are flying by way to quickly and I am finding myself racing home to beat the clock, or finish my latest project by the 2:30 deadline so I can be fully present when the kids get home.

This week I am going to try an experiment, I am going to see if I can relax (just a little), and go do some frivolous activities without feeling too guilty. I think I have it in me to go all alone to the beach and read. I have always wanted to. I also have three one hour massages that I purchased at our last GNO burning a hole in my wallet. I am making my schedule now.