Well, it finally came. After all the paperwork that was required, meeting and greetings with teachers, drop off/pick up scheduling, lunch preparation and assessment tests…the first day of school was underway.

While I know the kids were excited about it (being that it only took me telling them once to get up this morning), I also know that they are going to miss those sleeping in late mornings and their summer that was full of no structure. My daughter asked me if they would get any “breaks”?

This is a milestone for me as well and it is definitely a little bittersweet. I’m happy that they are growing up and are reaching their more independent years, however I also know that they are my last and my “baby” years are over. They will always be my babies in some regard, however I know that letting them grow is going to require me to let them go in some ways as well.

There’s definitely nothing like those hard years full of constant tugging at your side, potty training and non-stop cleaning up. As they say, what doesn’t kill you. But there’s also nothing like their small little bodies that you can carry in your arms and fat cheeks that you can smother with kisses that they don’t pull back from. So like everything else in life, those young years have their up and downsides.

Due to a new regulation in the last few years, the start date for kids was moved up, so mine are almost six. It has been a good thing for us because due to me being laid off, I’ve got to spend some extra time with them this summer. I’ve also noticed a new shift of independence with them as well. Rather than being my shadow or even wanting to be around each other, they have managed to go off more by themselves and find something to do or play with. So I know that they are ready for their new school life. I just hope that I am!