School Days

Back at it Again!

~ coralswimming ~ 3 Comments

Hi friends, I’m back! I know, I know, I’ve done this before. Come back. Write two posts, and then disappear again. The truth is that I don’t actually disappear. I still read…and start drafts…but life and time take over.

I thought I’d give it another go. Some time has passed. The kids are growing. Starfish moved across the country, Ocean Breeze is in high school and Sea Pony is now attending the same academically rigorous program that her older brother and sister attended.

I have some drafts that I would like to complete and post, so you may see me writing about stuff that happened in the past. It’s OK. It still happened, and we still learned.

Thanks for reading. See you soon.

~Coral Swimming

First Day of School…Done!

~ coralswimming ~ 8 Comments

At the end of the day, I couldn’t believe that it was really me…my life. First day of school was so smooth. I was waiting for the proverbial next shoe to drop…but what shoe? The day was over…and it went well.

I took a deep breath the night before and a little advise from this very helpful article and cracked open a new school year. After reading Debbie Zeichner’s piece, I remembered that my little sea critters already have an affinity to list making and that checking things off kind of makes them happy. Why not swim with that flow?

And so it went. Lunches were thoughtfully packed (by the kids themselves, might I add) and ready the night before, we all got our requisite zillion hours of sleep, and rise and shine went off without a hitch. In keeping with Zeichner’s instructions, partway through the morning I asked how they were doing with their lists (as opposed to frantically ordering them to get on with the next task). And yes, they were doing well…smooth sailing for sure!

The quiet peace of our early morning evolved into controlled madness at Sea Pony’s elementary school. As we drove into the drop-off area, we were greeted by the festive and upbeat sounds of the local high school band and dancers. It was incredible! A performance just to welcome our kids back to school! Everyone was all but dancing into their classrooms that morning. Clearly the best first day of school ever!

When asked about their day at pick-up, they both gave rave reviews. Perfect. Awesome. The carpool worked out. Piano lessons went swell. Dinner. Bath. Bed. Could it have been that easy?

It was that day. Thank. God.

I know it will not always be that way. The novelty will wear off. Tomorrow will bring a different challenge, a different struggle. For now, I’m just grateful that nothing bad happened.

Here’s to a great new year!

Yikes! Back to School!

~ coralswimming ~ 5 Comments

I am not the kind of parent who is happy and relieved when the kids go back to school. On the contrary, I am panicked! I don’t know how many out there are in my shoes, but as a working mother who also serves as transportation, hair and makeup artist, scheduler and keeper of the time, and just overall cheerleader, the only time I feel that I can really manage my life is in the summer…when there is no school and there are no extracurricular activities. A day off from work means no early rising for ANYONE, and our free time is liquid and unscheduled.

But alas, summer can’t last forever and the children must be educated. As I sit surrounded by new school supplies, clothes and dance shoes, I try to borrow some enthusiasm from the kids in preparing myself mentally and emotionally for this year’s new adventures. I pray that our new carpool works out and that the new mom is understanding of my insane and unpredictable work schedule. I hold my breath that Sea Pony’s soccer night will not coincide with dance, piano or competition team nights. And then I hope to have the stamina to keep this team swimming (sometimes upstream) for yet another year.

What is back-to-school like for you? Are you panicked or relieved? Is the school year easier for you or is it the lazy days of summer? I would love to know. Please share.