'Twas the night before The First Day of School

'Twas the night before The First Day of School, when all thro' the house,
Not a creature was stirring, except for Mom who was catching her breath;
After the backpacks and lunchboxes were hung by the chimney with care,
In anticipation that the school bus  would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of new sneakers and school clothes danc'd in their heads,
And Mom in her 'kerchief, thought about a night cap,
After spending all weekend checking off the to-do list she was tapped,
She could not quite believe that the summer had passed,
And the school calendar was reset at One Hundred and Eighty Days so fast,
As memories of summer evenings passed drove out of sight-
and she thought on the sweet, growing children all tucked in tight,

Happy First Day of School to all, and to all a good night!

So, this happened.

 

 

I am such a dork. All I could think about while standing next to Andrew McCarthy at a book signing, was "What about prom, Blaine? What about PROM?"

The 14 year old that lurks just below my surface was freaking out. My much older self was suitably charmed and impressed.

It's The Little Things

I am not big into New Year's resolutions. I am terrible at keeping them and it seems to me that January is the worst month to begin major changes. It is too cold and I am just catching my breath from the November to December whirlwind of the holidays. September, with the back to school vibe and tinge of fall in the air, is a good season to start fresh. And, June with the promise of summer and long days of sunshine, always motivates me. In January and February, I just want to hibernate.

But, this year, feels a bit different. I look at the kids and cannot believe how quickly they are growing. Their limbs are long. My oldest reaches to my shoulder and he is just 9 years old. My baby, the 2 year old, looks like a little person, a little man. His infant, newborn features are long gone. The last ten years have truly flown by. I have become very aware that now is the time I have with them to make our traditions and create our family history. The horror and loss in Newtown has shockingly reminded me that the time I am lucky enough to have right now is not promised and each moment, each second, is precious and priceless.

So, I haven't made any concrete resolutions, but I am trying to reset my brain to make more room and time for what matters. To put the energy and effort into that which will count the most. All the little things that make up the Big Things. Write more. Read more. Make a plan to get healthy. Create more - learn how to sew and teach Kate, finally finish a quilt, update the baby books, take more pictures, clean my room, take more walks.

There is another little thing arriving in 2013 that will be a very Big Thing. It is finally my turn to be an Aunt. I can't wait. I am lucky enough to have two sisters who love and adore and spoil my three children beyond measure. And reason. They are the High Priestesses in the Village that raise my kids with me.  I am so happy the kids will have a cousin.

So, the only resolution I am willing to commit to is that this will be a year in which I seek out all those momemts, instead of letting them pass by and hold on to them tightly and fiercely.

And, also to clean my room. Really.