School Is Starting And Looking Back

Well, school is starting up for some, and Jess is back teaching her grade school kids, while Francesca started her school year too.  Mia hasn't started yet, and has a little more time for Summer play.  I have been thinking of my own school days, and remembering back at all the good years I had growing up.  I was talking with my sister the other day, and we don't recall getting that many new school clothes, as our mom made most of our clothes growing up.  I do remember going shopping at J.C. Penney (Pennys) before the school year and getting a new dress, a couple shirts, socks, and shoes for the first week.  There was one particular dress I remember - it was a blue plaid.  My mom always loved my long hair, so it must have been a shock to her when I asked for a pixie hair cut in third grade.

Most of you know that I was a stay-at-home mom for many years.  With a watchful eye, I looked after my children all day, and it was a genuine and very special time in my life.  

Well, I had different jobs now and then when the kids were in school, but they never lasted long.  I did like the teacher's aide job, but I was a substitute, and didn't get the hours I wanted.  But taking care of children came natural to me, and I appreciate all the moments spent with them, but it wasn't always easy.  A tired me with a seven week Nel.

Jess was a feisty little girl....and she had to be.  She was a brave one starting kindergarten at 4 (almost 5).  Here she is the first week.

When Nel was a little older, she had to put her brave pants on as well, when she was teased every day by a bully girl, D, because her mom still walked her to the school bus.  What can I say, I was protective.  One day, Nel finally let her have it, with a few choice words, and she never bothered her again.

Nel and Jess have wonderful memories of school shopping.  We used to go out all day and buy a few clothes, then get a treat and head to the park, and spread out all the clothes on the green grass to see what they got.  I was talking to Jess the other day, and she wanted to have the same experience with Francesca, and when they went shopping for school clothes recently, they had a fun outing.  She bought a maroon corduroy jumper for her first day of school.  Corduroy seems to always say, "school is here!"

So, this poem is for my daughters....and when your kids come home from school and don't say much about it, perhaps something wonderful happened at school that day, or maybe something unpleasant happened, so listen to their hearts and not just their words.

What Did You Do Today?

When children come home

   at the end of the day,

The question they're asked as they

   scurry to play is,

"Tell me, what did you do today?"

And the answer they give makes you

 sigh with dismay,

"Nothing, I did nothing today!"

Perhaps nothing means that I played

 with blocks, or counted

   to 10 with Mrs. Cox.

   

Maybe I painted a picture of red 

   and blue, or heard a story about a

   mouse that flew.

Maybe I watched the hamster eat today,

 or went outside on the 

   swings to play.

  

Maybe today was the very first time

   that my scissors followed a very

   straight line.

Maybe I sang a song from beginning to end,

 or played with a

     special brand-new friend.

  

When you're only 5 and your heart has

 wings, nothing can mean

   so many things!