It’s hard sometimes, even for me, to find the right words for what I’m feeling in the moment…

I awoke this morning a full twenty minutes before my alarm was set to go off with a variety of emotions.

The fluttery feeling in my stomach, as if I had swallowed a dozen butterflies, signaled excitement.

When I thought about what laid ahead for my two boys this morning, a pang of anxiety.  Then another…

There’s always some nerves whenever they’re embarking on something big, something new…

I took a deep breath and looked at my tired reflection in the mirror.

The woman’s smile looking back at me gave me a feeling of reassurance…

I had done this before.

Joey had done this before.

We know and love the place well.

This is Jake’s first time, but he’ll do great.

And although the weeks of time we’ve all spent together this summer are starting to wear on us a little, I do enjoy having my kids home with me.

It’s going to be so quiet.

Quiet…

Now hope…

Hope for a productive year full of learning…

Hope for growing and having fun with old friends and new ones too…

Hope for a positive school experience for both boys …

They were both excited and ready to go this morning:

I love the boy’s school, and the staff and students alike are great.  I know this will be a fun year for both of them…

And I begin to think of all the bon-bons I can eat and soap operas I can watch writing, cooking and cleaning I can do each day while they’re off learning…

And I know I’m ready too…

A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

For those of you who had back to school today or already over the last few weeks, how did you feel?  Any tears from you or the kids?

For those who haven’t started yet, how do you think your first day will go?

Leave me a comment, I’d love to hear about your back to school experiences!