Reflection

We've made it through our first full week of the students being back to school. Here are a few things I've noticed...

1. Since Charlie has gone back to daycare, his behavior has transformed. He is a happy, cooperative, polite little boy. In fact, three separate teachers have commented to me in the last week how he is the politest toddler they have ever seen. He always says please and thank you. So-what the hey?!?! Is it because he has the good example of other children to follow? Is it because he is better stimulated at daycare than at home? Is it because I stink in the mom department?

2. I have so far kept up with my gym plan for myself. I go every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It hasn't been too bad. Although when I went in the summer, I relished the hour of peace by myself. Now, I feel a horrible wrenching guilt at spending time away from the kids, since I don't get near as much as I would like when I am working. I don't leave for the gym until about 7:30, so really it's only a half hour out of my kid time, but still. I love those guys.

3. I have a bumpercrop of nosepickers in my class this year. I had to give my booger speech on the second day of school-a new record. Parents, please do not send your child to school as a nosepicker. It makes the teacher forget what they are talking about, which I can tell you results in an inferior education for all.

4. The germs are already flying at the SVdP daycare and of course, a Kleffman kid picked them up. Sammy is down with a barking cough.

5. Now that I am back to the working world, my house looks like a pigsty. When it was just Evan and me, it wasn't that hard to keep up. Now, between the laundry (Charlie and Sammy have had 3 clothing changes each at school EVERY day this week between potty training and Charlie's refusal to wear a bib, as he insists he is "big like Eman!") and the turmoil caused by three boys I am buried. I hose down the kitchen every night because I can't stand a dirty kitchen, we pick up the toys in the living room, and I try to fold a load of laundry, but the rest has gone to heck. I shudder to think of what is living in the bathrooms.

6. Evan is handling the change to 4th grade better than any other grade level. He is so mature all of a sudden. I love it, but I miss my baby. This growing up thing is for the birds.

He thinks study hall is the best invention ever, and his homework load has been greatly reduced because of it. Why the heck can't they do that in 3rd grade?

7. Finally, I am exhausted. The energy required to rear 3 boys on a daily basis and lead a tribe of 30 six year olds is immense. On Wednesday, I fell asleep on the couch at 6:30. Got up briefly to help Jeff put the boys to bed at 8:00, and then crashed for the rest of the night. I wish someone would invent a magic mom pill, ensuring me enough energy to accomplish the day. I would pay them a lot of money. A lot.