The Death of Summer

It is the day that has spread dread through our home for weeks now. It has caused moans and whines out of seemingly brave children. It has even caused my normally chipper Lauren to stop smiling. Yes, it was the first day of school.

Normally, the kids and I look forward to school. It sounds sick, I know, but it breaks up the boredom of summer. The kids get to start sports and see their friends. But for some reason, no one was really looking forward to it this year. We had such a fun and relaxing summer that it is difficult to force ourselves back into a routine.

The kids woke up early. Cade had to be to early morning football practice at 6:15, so he was out of the house pretty quickly. The girls and I got up to read scriptures, get ready and take pictures. Cade got home about an hour later and grudgingly let me take a couple pictures of him.

Lauren is starting second grade with Mrs. Moreno. She is so excited to have her as a teacher. She wasn't too concerned about who was in her class, as long as she got the teacher she wanted. Things went pretty well for her, until the bus ride to my class. She ended up riding the bus for a full hour before they brought her to the Jr. High. But we think we have it worked out for tomorrow. Lauren gets pretty freaked out about change, so we have to rehearse tough situations like bus rides. Luckily, she knows the bus driver so things should go well. I don't know who I am trying to convince-her or her nervous mother.

Sydney is in 8th grader now. She thought the day was incredibly boring. She figures that they are eighth graders now and everyone should know the rules and we should just get on with the program. She does have friends in all of her classes, so she should survive. Actually, she will probably never look up from her book to even talk to anyone. She caught the reading bug about the end of sixth grade, and hasn't stopped ever since. Cade is a Junior this year. I can't believe it. Only two more years to have the kid at home. It makes me sick to think about, so I just try to ignore it. In typical boy fashion, he didn't have much to say about school. He likes his schedule this year, having most of his hard classes in the morning so that he doesn't miss them when he leaves for sports. He did have a few things to say about practice like, "I hate Morgan." (the coach) but I think he is just sick of running.



I'm just as ornery as the kids about starting school this year. I've got a busy, rough year ahead of me. But even more so, I just miss watching Law and Order reruns. Oh, the injustice of my life. . .