Back to School

This is our last week of summer. Next week Ryan and I go back to school for workdays on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then school starts on Thursday.

I think we're all ready to go back. Ella is looking forward to being in the first grade, and it looks like Mrs. Ploger will be her teacher, which thrills us. (We know Nicole won't put up with any of Ella's nonsense.)

Ryan and I will both be glad to have a little break from housework. I know it will still be there when we go back to school, but the more we're home, the more messes we make. Sometimes it seems like all we do in the summer is clean.

I know this sounds terrible, but I'm also looking forward to getting a little break from the girls. I just don't think I'm cut out to be a stay at home mom. Emilia's had such separation anxiety this summer, I really haven't been away from her much at all. Even when I teach water aerobics three days a week, she's waiting for me when I get home, and I usually don't even get to change out of my wet swimming suit before I have to hold her. When we were in Hays this weekend, I left her with my mom for a few short stretches while I went shopping (Thanks, Mom!), and it felt so freeing. I was actually able to find a few things to wear back to school. (It's kind of funny... I had much more luck shopping in Hays than I did in Amarillo, but I think it was because I couldn't really look in Amarillo with Emilia always on my hip.) On Sunday, Emilia fell asleep after church, so my mom stayed home with her while my dad, Ryan, Ella, and I went out to eat, and I realized it was the first meal I had eaten in months without having to wrestle Emilia. (Of course, going back to school won't help with that since I'll go feed her over my lunch break.) I love being with her and Ella, but at this point, going back to school really seems like a break--I know I won't feel the same way in a few months, though.



I am worried about sending Little Miss Separation Anxiety back to Julie, especially since she's become a problematic napper, but I'm worried more about Julie's sanity than Emilia's well being. Julie is wonderful, which makes things so much easier. I'm sure drop-offs will be rough for a while, but we'll all survive.