We made it through the first week of school. We made it through the insane back to school supply list shopping which seems to get longer and more expensive every year. We made it through meet the teacher and preliminary PTSA work. Yes, our schools start early. Especially for a place that still has triple digit temps every day… I wanted to make this week’s post about reflecting on what back to school with the kids feels like this year..

*Traditions: We’ve had enough school years under our belt at this point that we have some firmly established traditions. Some, my oldest is starting to roll his eyes at- the first day pictures in particular. Others, are asked about for weeks ahead of time- like our Last Sundae before school tradition (this makes a nice little bookend with our first day of summer break ice cream for breakfast tradition). It has been really fun watching moms with younger kids see our traditions and adapt them for their own. I hope they love them as much as we have so far.

*Goals for the year/what we’re excited about: As the kids have grown, we’ve also started talking about some goals for the school year, what seems special to them about each grade, etc. These aren’t as set as “traditions” but I think these kind of conversations are going to remain really important and hopefully feel like a special parent/child check in for years to come. We also use the start of each semester to reassess what extra curricular activities we’ll have on our plate and any special goals for them.

*Restarting routines!: anyone else have a love/hate relationship with this? Whether you are a teacher, student, or parent, the re-entry into school life after summer break can be a challenge and blessing all rolled into one. My kids don’t struggle with waking up on time as they are early risers and our district starts relatively later in the day, but getting back into the swing of packed lunches, set snacks instead of grazing all day, and then the dreaded after school routine where they are often more tired and hungry and grumpy the first few weeks tries all of our patience. And yet, it also feels GOOD to get back into a routine and have an idea of exactly what each day needs or will bring, when we can schedule other stuff, etc.

*Realizing times are changing: It really hit me this season that we are moving further and further away from the baby stage. It is our final year at the preschool we’ve loved seeing each of our kids attend. Homework looks different for my older kids as he moves into different kinds of projects and gets to take on “mentorship positions” as one of the older grades at his school. I don’t have a full school day every day yet, but I do have more time kid-free than I have in a decade and that is so strange (but also what makes me feel more confident about deciding to train for a ton of running in the mountains!) It is really hitting me how FAST the rest of our time with kids in school is going to go and what a ride it has all been so far.

So here’s to a new school year and all the stories, memories, stresses, adventures, and curious questions it is sure to bring. Watching my kids get excited about learning reminds me how much I love to keep learning and that is the best! I hope that any of my readers whose lives still revolve around the school year are having or will have an easy transition back!