The School Season

I confess, I didn't understand why things seemed to change so much when my friend's kids started school. They still had young ones at home, so why did the mid-day play dates become fewer and farther between? Why did they stop going to evening Relief Society groups? When we ran into each other at the grocery store, how did we no longer have much to say to each other? Having a kid in kindergarten couldn't be that big of a deal! 

waiting for the bus in the morning

And then the seasons changed and I am wearing their shoes. There is now a little backpack that each morning must be checked to ensure it contains a lunch, a water bottle, the library book, and the folder with papers to be returned to the teacher. I have to get all three kids up, dressed, breakfasted, and out the door by 8:22 or we'll miss the bus and have to take Hyrum to the school. There is some peace during the day if Abraham naps, but now I am his only friend and in all honesty, being the primary source of interaction for a 3 year old all day can get tiresome. I do have one less with me while I run my errands, which is indeed helpful, but I am always on the clock, having to fit in activities, lunch, and naps so as to produce kids that are cooperative enough to pick up their brother when the bus drops him off at 4:00 pm. Then there's the after school snack, and homework, and starting dinner, and listening to the constant commentary on what treasures were available in the good behavior reward box. Abraham is thrilled that big brother is home and wants to play, but Hyrum is cranky and preoccupied and usually wants very little to do with his younger brother. Fighting is the main event until Dad gets home at 5:00. I used to think I knew what the witching hour was all about, but in hindsight the hour before Matthew gets home did not used to be nearly so hectic. I feel like there is so much less time all together as a family than there used to be, and before I know it, it's 7:30 and time to start the bed time routine. I know I only have one in school, and it hasn't even been two weeks yet. I'm sure it only gets busier. But I understand better how quickly life can change as one season turns into another.