A Quiet House

So it's the first "real" day of school. Yeah, the boys went yesterday, but it was only for an hour and a half. This morning, I had to make them lunches (and had to remember who had what lunchbox, since they are both new this year) and get them out the door WITH their lunches. I didn't put any sort of a note in their lunches (but maybe I should have?) to tell them how much I love them and all that stuff... but then I remember, they're BOYS. They might not even use the napkin that I've written the little note on, much less READ it (I can hear it now: "Ugh, MORE reading?" Thanks Will, love you too, buddy.).

I have friends who get all weepy and sad when their kids go to school, but I'm not one of those types. Why should I be sad? The boys would much rather be at school than stuck at home for yet another day hanging out with me and their sister who has to nap in the afternoons. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time this summer, but it was definitely, DEFINITELY time to go back to school. They need it, I need it. It makes me a better parent, a better person. Not to mention what it does for them. They get to spend their day with kids they like, learning cool stuff, with teachers they love.

The house is strangely quiet during Meredith's nap. My husband, who works from home most days, has no radio on today, so it's REALLY quiet. I can hear him eating chips. I can hear the dog dreaming about something. The keystrokes on my keyboard sound especially loud. I know this will all change in an hour, but this is like a strange break from reality. It's one of the joys of late summer.

You'll not find me wiping tears from my eyes when my kids go back to school. Their going to school is one of the benefits of parenthood. I've raised kids who are smart, funny, and independent when they need to be. What more could I ask for?