It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Or is it?

I'm talking about back-to-school.  The commercials started in mid-July.  The flyers were plastered with sales on backpacks, pencils, lunch kits, glue sticks- you get the picture.  It's always bugged me how quickly those back-to-school sales start.  You're just starting to get into your summer-groove, and boom!  There it is.  Everywhere.

Despite my negative and visceral response to this targeted advertising, I love back to school.  I'm a teacher through and through.  I love a new box of colouring pencils and the smell of Crayola crayons.  I love sharpening brand new HB pencils- especially the fat red primary ones.  I love clean, crisp loose leaf paper and blank pages in school notebooks.  The look of clean school desks all lined up in rows (because I am old school) with laminated nameplates makes me smile.  I enjoy writing the date on the top right corner of a chalk board and proclaiming a huge, happy cursive message of "Welcome Back"!!!  My teacher response to September is written into my DNA.  I have to put it on the back burner for now as I prepare my own children for school and let their teachers bask in the glory of new school supplies and fresh starts while I label their belongings and make their healthy lunches.

This year I get to send not one, but two of my children to school.  This morning Ava started grade one.  This means the start of full days (yippee!).  Sydney will be attending mornings in Junior Kindergarten. She's on a staggered entry schedule, so today was her "interview" day and she officially starts on Friday.  Today was a busy, busy day.

Ava was nervous because we did not know who her teacher would be.  When we arrived at school we finally found her name printed on poster paper and located her teacher.  Much to her dismay, most of her friends are in other classes.  She was upset by this, but quickly recovered.  Getting a little teary, she said "I guess I'll make new friends".  Smart girl.  I watched her walk away when the bell rang.  She fell into line (near the back) and looked over her shoulder and gave me a little smirk and a wave.  That was it.  The big school swallowed her up and that was that.  In the midst of all that chaos, pushing and picture taking, I had forgotten to give her a hug.  Ouch.

We had an interesting walk home with a tantruming Jack.  An hour later we were back at the school for Sydney's intake interview.  My girl really enjoyed this outing!  Her teacher is wonderful!  She's kind and gentle and everything that a kindergarten teacher should be.  Sydney got to choose her own cubby, play and explore.  She was bright eyed and eager to do anything her teacher asked of her.  I felt proud.  And sad.  I simply cannot believe that this "baby" of mine will be going off to school.  Where did the time go?

Sending these kids off into the world is so bittersweet.  On the one hand I am proud and excited.  I've done lots to prepare them for this.  On the other hand I am sad that my time with them at home is coming to an end.  For as much as I might complain about my long and hectic days at home with 3 children, it has truly been a wonderful gift.  I have been able to spend this precious time with them.  I've watched them grow and helped them learn.  I continue to accept this task, but now share it with their teachers.  I'm launching them into the world!

When I picked up Ava from school today, I had a few moments of panic when students stopped streaming through the open door and onto the yard and I did not see her little blond head in the crowd.  My heart started to pound a bit faster as I scanned the crowd looking for my first born.  Suddenly though, there she was.  She looked a bit tired.  A bit scared.  And then her eyes met mine and she ran over smiling and waving.  And that hug that I did not get this morning?  She gave it to me with no hesitation.  With her arms wrapped around my waist she looked up at me.  "You know what Mom?"  she said.  "I thought Grade One was going to be terrible but it's actually really great".  Well, that's a relief!

 So there it is.  Our first day re-cap.  I'm sure there will be some tears (mine and Sydney's) on Friday when we do this all over again.