First Day

Awake at five...too excited to go back to sleep!  ALL the kids were up and spinning with excitement by seven.  The Firstborn all dolled up and ready to see her friends, the other two chomping at the bit to check out what we'd done to the school room.

I let them go look while I drank my coffee.

Three subjects done and muffins made by eleven.  Next on the agenda was the annual back-to-school celebration (which usually takes place when shopping for school supplies)--ice cream at the Marble Slab.  The excursion was all the sweeter shared with good friends who also homeschool and had just returned yesterday from being overseas for five months.

As we whipped through WalMart, grabbing a few things on our way home, we shared a good laugh over the fact that our kids in no way fit the stereotype of perfectly behaved little homeschool children.  All four were dangling off the cart, flailing about and laughing.  We had so much to catch up on that the kids didn't get the scolding they might have.  Grandmothers did a double-take.

Happy healthy children who just won't fit into a box.

No jean skirts or birkenstocks.

Two good friends who've shared a lot of laughter and tears over the years.

We'll be there for each other on the days that aren't quite so much fun.  Today was for celebrating.

At the end of the day, my son gave me a huge bear hug and said, "I love homeschooling, Mom!  Thank you."

That'll keep me going for a few days.