Back to Life, Back to Reality

All the kids (with the exception of Layla) are back in school full time now.  It was a stressful week leading up to the start date.  I had trouble sleeping at night and when I did, I had vivid dreams of being late for school and other traumatic events revolving around the new schedule.  It felt like I was physically imbalanced by the looming start date.  Looking back now, I don’t know why I was so stressed!

I spent  the weekend prior to  Alex and Eva’s first two half days and Grace’s three day orientation trying to get re-organized.  I have been looking to buy a house, but haven’t found the right fit yet.  The summertime did a number on our small little house.  The basement is pretty much unusable now.  Even with the clean-up from the spring flooding, no one wants to be down there.  I attempted months ago to clean it up and organize a room for Alex.  He spent one night there and decided he hated being down stairs.  The summer consisted of kids sleeping mainly on the couch or wherever they fell asleep.  I knew I needed to remedy this prior to the start of the school year.

I went into clean out mode and filled three trash cans to the top…and that was just re-organizing the kitchen, bathroom and hall closet.  We added a bed to the little girls’ room for Alex, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten.  I still have dressers and closets to clean out and a TON of clothes I’m hoping to sell somehow.  Christmas is coming fast and the extra cash could really be useful.  I just haven’t figured out where to start on this, though!

The kids are back with their dad this weekend, so I hope to get some type of organization going with all the clothes.  Some will be passed down to younger cousins and some will be donated.  My hope is to select a few good conditioned outfits and try to re-sell.  More research still needs to be done on this, however

All in all, though, the first week back at school has been successful.  The kids are sleeping better at night in their own beds!  Well, except Layla.  Getting that girl to sleep at all is a project for later in the fall!  We’ve had fewer melt-downs and the food seems to be lasting longer than in the summer time.  And last night marks the first night I’ve slept peacefully through the entire night!  Man…that felt GOOD!

Alex did forget a majority of his books and homework on Monday night.  And Grace lost her structure sheet and pencil case at school on her first day. Oh…and she went to school today with a senior because of “late start Wednesdays”  and managed to forget her lunch and gym bag.  Of course, today was her first gym class and it only happened to be the first class of the day!  But with my superhuman powers, I was able to send Aunt Laura to her rescue.  In 20 minutes, she made it to my house to gather her forgotten items and to the school.  When I got the text “crisis averted”, I was able to breathe a little easier. 

I know things will get easier as the school year goes on…but I also know things get a little more laxed then too!  We have been craving structure and routine for about a month now.   Back to school is welcomed by all!

Now for the official Back to School Pictures:

Freshman

5th Grade

3rd Grade

No school...but she's cute!