Back to school we go, in a few short days. For Steve, Nathaniel, and Jordan, that day is actually today. It sort of shocks me, because in a lot of ways, this feels like the summer that never was. Like it should be closer to… oh, July 12th right now. This last spring will be called The Spring of Open Houses, the early summer will forever be referred to as The Summer of the Move, and the last two weeks, at best, will be called the time of Get It All In While You Can. (We still haven’t, though.) We’ve been spoiled, having Steve for a couple months every summer, so this is just a little taste of what most American families deal with. A short break, and then back to the daily grind. It’s not for the faint of heart, I tell you what. Kudos to you.
Parker and I will go back to daily life as we knew it before mid-June. But, in a new town and a new home, of course. Some of our old mainstays, and some new. I will definitely get the crock pot out soon, as soon as the weather turns anyway. I’ve already told two people, in just the last week, about bone broth. What was the occasion for it? It actually did fit into the conversation. Is fall really so close? The benefit to fall, aside from the obvious (apple cider and pulling out the winter beanies, of course) is the food. I am such a better cook in the colder months. My family would agree. Sweet potato soup with black beans, chicken noodle soup, beef stew with big chunks of carrots and potatoes. I lack motivation and energy and creativity in the summer.
Steve and I are desperately hoping the transition to new schools goes well for William and Lindsey. I think it will. I’m optimistic. But, it’ll be a change. New people, a new place. They’ve had late night after late night, and sleeping in in the mornings. Sometimes they’re not trudging down the stairs, zombie-like, until 10:00 or later. I’m starting to call them to bed closer to 10:30 now so it doesn’t feel like such a shock to the system in a few days when they’re needing to sleep by 10 and get out the door at 7 am. The lazy days of summer, when we’ve had them anyway, will be missed. The meandering coffee hour where it’s just Steve, myself, Parker and his cars, and mostly quiet, rest in peace. The frenzied search for the right shirt, the slapping of peanut butter and jelly on some bread, and the exodus of kids from front doors everywhere are upon us.
My sister is sending her first to preschool this year. She doesn’t want to talk about it, you can hear it catch in her voice as she quickly changes the subject. I can empathize. I remember sending William to school years ago, after he’d been homeschooled as long as I’d known him. He was so worried, it was written all over his face. I cried. And Parker? People ask me, like it’s so run-of-the-mill, “so, is he going to preschool this year?” The look I return must be like they just kicked my puppy dog in the stomach. “What?! He was just born, like yesterday!” I promise I don’t actually say that and I also promise that, if the time is right and the desire is there, he will go to school. But right now, I am not ready, he is not ready, and I’m shocked that he has the “look” of a kid who could be ready. Isn’t he a baby still? Aren’t I still an absolute necessity in every waking moment of his life? I will cry when the time comes.
Let’s not cut that umbilical cord just yet, ok?
How’s the back-to-school going in your neck of the woods? How’s the weather? How was your summer? Did you savor it? Did it rush by? Are you excited for fall? Are you making soups yet? Is it still 100 degrees where you are? Are you sending a child to school for the first time? For the last?
{Backpack}
I just got a teaching position nearby. my two girls will be attending a brand new daycare/preschool in our town. this is brand new to us-packing lunches and snacks for their day-but I am hopeful. I am sure your kids will do super in their new schools. new kids are always exciting to the other kids:)
thanks erin, i hope so too!
people asking me when atticus, who is 2.5 years old, will go to school too. i work full-time and have managed to swing some work from home days along with child care sandwiched by grandparents. we're incredibly lucky, i know. but now, he seems interested — out of nowhere talking about riding on the school bus and playing with the kids. it breaks my heart and makes it sing at the same time.
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/08/individual-peach-crisp.html
it's so bittersweet but soooo nice knowing that you're sending him when he's ready–as opposed to him pleading not to go!! good luck, jesse!
My oldest is going to preschool this year, gah…where has the time gone?!!! I can't even! It's not a huge change since she will be going to preschool at the same place she does daycare so I will not be curled up in the fetal position crying until next year. Again, I can't even! Last night at "meet the teacher" night one of her friends parents asked if she could maybe come for a sleepover sometime soon….a sleepover??? She's 4 so I am thinking that is NOT going to happen….my mama heart is SO not ready for that! We'll start with a play date, mmmk?!!! Happy back to school at your house and I hope William and Lindsey have a great year at their new school!
a SLEEPOVER?! that is crazy. and the parent asking it?! no no no. i'm with you. playdate. for like several more years.
I just sent my first to kindergarten this week. AWFUL!!! I cried and keep crying. The time goes by so quickly. It's so nice to keep them with you as long as you can 🙂
it is so nice. i'm enjoying it while it lasts.
and good luck to you, mama! hugs.
My thoughts EXACTLY about this summer. I blinked and there is Halloween decor at Target now. Good luck to the kiddos and new schools. I moved in seventh grade, and it was tough. But looking back, I really am glad I had that change.
YES. i saw halloween somewhere too–christmas will be upon us sooner than we're ready for. those big box stores are so pushy!
My first is going to school (kindergarten) this fall. Orientation was yesterday and we had a practice bus ride. I started to cry. We skipped daycare and preschool which I'm happy about, but it certainly makes the transition emotional. Thankfully it's only half day kindergarten. I need baby steps.
totally hear you with the baby steps. you can do half-day! good luck marjorie! it's so emotional.
Good Luck to them for the new school adventure, I hope everything will go smooth. School started just a week ago and our toddler is in kindergarden now, my heart broke a little- the one of his little brother a bit more, but he was so happy and smiled in his sleep after all the funtime with cars and painting and all the other kids. I can't think about the time, when his little brother is off to kindergarden as well, I will miss my little shadow alongside me.
We have hardly 70 degrees right now and started the day with fog, so fall is near (We had soup for dinner!) but I wish for some warm fall days so we can check off something of the summerlist, even if it feels like cheating 😉
ooh. starting the day with fog sounds downright dreamy. today is so hot, we've got a sprinkler going!
good luck with everything on your end too, my friend!
Thank you 🙂
It IS still a hundred degrees here. I am totally ready for fall and soups and beanies but NOT for sending my daughter to preschool next week. She has been showing signs of independence and that stings a bit but I'm not ready myself. I'll hang out in the parking lot crying. I'm sure the older two (of the younger three) will do just fine. Kids can be so very resilient. 🙂 Good luck and here's to a smooth transition!!
it is nearly a hundred here today–after a week of this strange 60s/70s weather! so, now i don't feel so ready for fall (or perhaps, more ready?). the independence totally stings. i guess it just all feels like it's jolting forward at a rapid speed.
i'd be with ya there in the parking lot. good luck, laurie!
My oldest just turned 5. She's staying back for one more year of preschool, even though she technically made the kindergarten cut off by two weeks. What a heart wrenching decision to make! She is a bright girl, but we decided it was better to be a little older in your grade. And I couldn't imagine sending her off the elementary yet! Five years is not what it used to be for me.
My three older kids went back to school on the 4th of August. By that last week of July I was ready for them to go back. This is my last year with my youngest and I don't want to talk about or even think about him going to kindergarten next year. Since I live in Phoenix is always above 100 during July and August.
your posts about parker are so sweet. i am not that kind of mom at all; my 3 year old is going to preschool and i wish it were more than one day a week. he needs more non-mom time! he is so independent, and i love not being so needed. also he is almost 4…does that make me less heartless?
and as for soup…i made some yesterday. it was way too early, but my original plan fell through and what else was i supposed to do with beans already started and leftover roast? it's still 80 degrees, but cool in the mornings. (northern utah) a summer that never was is such a bummer! but your move sounds like a wonderful move.
parker's probably more independent than i am. like, "let me go mom. you'll be fine, i'll be fine, it'll be fine." you're not heartless, but your comment made me laugh nevertheless. and yay for cool mornings and soup!
It is weirdly reassuring to read that you lack motivation and creativity and energy in the summer to cook — I just realized I'm the same way, but have kind of been in denial about it. Or was thinking I’d lost my cooking mojo. I secretly felt like a total weirdbeard for not being inspired by tomatoes! fresh corn! basil! gorgeous fruit! GAH. I love it, but I'm not stoked to cook like I am in fall and winter. Which reminds me — if you find another great Ina soup this winter, I can't wait to hear about it! 🙂
Rooting for William and Lindsey and starting in a new school. My heart goes out to them in what must be a daunting hill to climb – I’m cheering for them all the way. They both seem so kind and fun – total friend-magnets!
Yes, I hear ya on preschools and Parker. We looked at preschools for this fall for our four-year-old guy (he’ll be five at the end of October) and after a ton of stress and wrestling with the choice, we decided to have him party at home another year. I felt like he’d have many years of school, but only one year left to have a blast with his beloved grandparents one day a week; to go on adventures with me, with friends with my husband; and to have both free time and structured time (e.g., art classes and soccer). I’m sure he would have enjoyed being in preschool too, and it would have been good. So we felt it was fine either way, but it was a hard decision regardless. And my husband and I remarked numerous times on how neither of us, nor any of our friends, went to preschool growing up. That’s changed.
OK, this comment is morphing into a novel – but also had to say I feel robbed of summer this summer! ROBBED, I tell you! We had a horrendous winter in Chicago, as you did, and dude this summer needed to be The Awesome, weather-wise. It … was not. But we had fun anyway. And I wore my Haiti's Jewels necklace and bracelet so often (and will continue to) with tank tops and T-shirts; thank you again for pointing me their way!
the lack of mojo is totally summer! it zaps it all out of me. plus, daylight being so late, i just don't want to be in a hot kitchen and would rather be outside. so… boring in the kitchen. i will totally experiment with a few ina soups this winter, promise! i'm in the mood for her minestrone one now…
i really think william and lindsey will be totally okay… just a weird learning curve/new space. they are both kind and fun, like you said. and i'm not saying that just cause i'm me!
it's true–preschool wasn't a THING back in the day like it is now. so i can keep parker for another two years then!? 🙂
okay i'm afraid to even write this let alone say it, but steve told me the farmer's almanac is predicting an even worse winter this year. let's just say, we'll cry together jennifer.
haha — sure, chica, you can chill with Parker for another two years if that's a win all around!
Nooooooooooooo! I am officially in denial about that cuckoo-for-cocoa-puffs prediction about this winter. We won't even be able to cry together, Bridget, because our tears will freeze on our colder-than-last-year faces. My resolution to get the fam away to a balmy place come February is firming up already!
Enjoy your (hopefully sunny and warm!) holiday weekend!
Gosh, I'm feeling ya. My oldest turns 3 on Tuesday- why is the first question about preschool?! I've never considered myself a homeschooling Mom, but the thought of mainstream school with my baby makes me nauseous! Why do we have to Hans our babies off to the real world so soon?! I'm researching pre-k homeschool methods all day 😉
amen, lisa. amen!