By Lisa Marie Stahl
As I entered our house after breakfast on the morning of the 23rd of August, I knew something was definitely not right. Almost every room was busy with little girls, making beds, washing dishes, mopping floors, or picking up toys. And stranger yet, all were dressed in what seemed to be fairly new clothes.
They chatted as they worked, and I picked up bits and pieces of conversation: Smell my perfume. Think the teacher will like it? Hurry up and dry these dishes. I think I heard the bell ring. and I wonder who Ill get to sit next to.
Ahh, so thats what it takes to get chores done, I thought silently. And I didnt even have to tell anyone what had to be done. Strangely, on this day everyone suddenly knew what they were supposed to do. Miracles do happen, I guess. They just have to be timed right.
Im guessing for each child the first day of the new school year can be pretty exciting. They havent seen their teacher for several months now, and theyre eager to jump right back into their regular routine.
I smiled happily as I watched them run to the school house. I was glad to see their eagerness for school to start again. Especially since they had been complaining for the last two weeks about how short summer vacation had been and how they havent had enough time to enjoy the fall harvest.
I already pictured them in my mind as they entered the school. Everyone talking at once, telling the teacher what they did all summer, how they missed her and wanting to know what they were going to do this year.
I could already see our three new kindergardeners trying out their new desks and writing their name for the teacher for the first time. Theyd smile proudly at her when handing in their paper, mostly for being asked to do something they already knew, which theyd been taught in Head Start.
On her lunch break, I asked our aide how things were going at school. She answered with a hearty chuckle, Well, right now were trying to figure out who the kindergardeners are: the second graders and our three new students. Seems like the second graders are whining all the time, because they arent getting all the attention this year.
Personally, I too am glad school has started. Now our house stays cleaner, and I dont have to constantly be breaking up fights. But better yet, now I know someone is looking out for them. I dont have to worry about them running into a snake or playing around our shop where theres always big equipment driving around. Now I know theyre in a place where I can set myself at ease, knowing theyll be just fine and in good hands.
