(Second) First Day of School

And, with that, school is back in session.

No, really. They were totally psyched about going to school yesterday. It was standing in the pouring rain so I could take a picture that they were not as fond of.  But back we went, and it was blessedly as though we had never left. Same building, same drop-off line, same classrooms, same teachers. Picked them up, and it was the same delightful chatter in the back about which kids were and were not there, and what new works they did.

And let me tell you, it was not a moment too soon. This summer, in a word, sucked.

I’m not trying to tempt fate, certainly it could have been worse. But 2011 is highly unlikely to go down as “best summer ever” here at Casa in Progress.  Back in the winter, sitting under four feet of snow and forty pounds of pregnancy, I was really looking forward to summer.  The relative freedom and flexibility of four-year-olds who don’t necessarily need a nap.  The relative freedom and flexibility of a newborn before an actual nap schedule is necessary and she can just sleep on the go and eat wherever.

Well, not so much.

For one, it was a miscalculation on my part. By the time summer arrived, Ellie was nearly four months old and past those delightfully portable early weeks (which she spent, as we know, in the hospital, decidedly UN-portable). She was not so keen to sleep anywhere and everywhere, nor was she a fan of her carseat or the stroller.  And then, there were the doctor’s appointments. OH, the appointments. In the 12 weeks since school let out for the summer, Ellie has had upwards of 25 appointments with a wide variety of service providers. Generally at least two a week, sometimes as many as four or five.  And big brother and sister came to nearly every one of them.

And the thing is, they were awesome. Generally well-behaved (I did usually let them play a game on my phone or something), and I am telling you, not a single complaint about it all summer long. All of those boring waiting rooms and offices, and they were great. And yes, they did have their gymnastics and dance classes. We went to Wisconsin, we spent some time with friends. And we had a good number of picnic lunches at the playground when I could manage it. But the fact remains that we did not get out and take advantage of summer in the way that I had hoped we would.

Most of the summer felt, to me, like dragging. Dragging the big kids to Ellie’s doctor’s appointments. Dragging Ellie to the big kids’ activities. Dragging an enormous bag full of all our crap, everywhere we went. Some of that is par for the course with older kids and a new baby, I suppose. Some of it is exacerbated by Ellie’s extra needs.  And I am certain that I noticed it more than any of my kids. They are all fine, I know this. They are happy, they had fun times. I’m the one bumming out about it.

At any rate, going back to school is a good thing for all of us.  Good for Daniel & Rebecca, being back in a routine, back to an environment they love, getting a little mental exercise, and having some space away from each other.  Good for Ellie, who finally has some chance of establishing a morning nap while her brother and sister are at school, and getting more attention from me when she’s awake.  And good for me, for sure, to take a breather from the constant questions and demands of four-year-olds, a relative break in the juggling of vastly different needs, and a few hours to enjoy a quiet house and the ease of a single baby.

I’m welcoming Fall. I’m looking forward to apple picking and crisp mornings and Halloween and Thanksgiving.  I will regroup, we will retool our routine, and I will find new ways to have fun with all three kids.

And next summer? I’m coming for you. We’re gonna do it up right.