Pack Mules

It never ceases to amaze me how much my children look like little pack mules on the first day of school. The supply list required by each child seems to grow every year. I have a friend that said wisely on her blog, "Forget Saving For College...I'm too busy affording elementary school!", in response to all of the supplies her children needed. Today was no exception. As I was taking pictures before everyone left, I became concerned that this could be the year that someone actually tips over, or falls backward and lands in a crumpled heap while trying to board the bus.

Sunday night it hit me. I have a middle schooler...and my baby is going to kindergarten. Without warning, I burst into tears as I was placing all of the paperwork in backpacks, (and Brian's bag) that parents have to fill out each school year. It wasn't a feminine, or genteel cry where I dabbed tears and thoughtfully pontificated on the changes that were going to take place the very next day...we are talking gulping sobs here, friends.

Poor Mike. I hugged him and sobbed...and he just looked at me lovingly and let me vent and sputter. My diatribe included sobs about being afraid that Evan may not be able to get his locker open...and how I couldn't believe that I was putting my 25th percentile height and weight kindergartner on a huge yellow monstrosity because he so desperately wanted to ride the school bus with his big brother Adam. My heart ached that Adam might be feeling like the, "quintessential middle child" because this wasn't a "banner" year for him and I feared that he wasn't getting a lot of attention for starting kindergarten, like Brian or middle school, like Evan. I lamented the fact that if everything had truly been going according to my plans, I would have a 2 year old, or at least a one year old child (by now), at home with me still. Then, I willed myself to stop by stifling my sniffles, blowing my nose and exclaiming..."Okay, crisis over." Mike looked at me and asked, "Okay? You're okay, now? You're good...are you sure? Do you want to say anything else?" The outburst seemed to leave as quickly as it came and I went on lining up backpacks and then preparing for bed. Mike wins the prize for having the most confusing and perplexing wife ever, huh? Actually, I prefer to think of myself as intriguing and mysterious.



First born pack mule, Evan, had to carry an extra bag with him because he had so many supplies and large books. We made him his own master list of all of his important information (locker number and combination, schedule, and new bus number) all on the same sheet, and stapled a map of the school to it. Mike and I got a good chuckle at all of the long faces on Evan's middle school bus. I told Mike, "Uh...those middle schoolers looked like they were being carted off to some sort of a prison camp."


Second born pack mule, Adam, chose this shirt himself, because he made it at Cub Scout Day Camp over the summer. I think the tie die is so striking...especially when offset by the black and white camouflage backpack, don't you? Adam began wearing eyeglasses this summer and was excited and a little bit nervous to wear them to school the first day. I have told him repeatedly that I think he looks very handsome in his new glasses but, I fear he only thinks I am saying that because I love and adore him...and because...I'm the mom.

Kindergartners at the elementary school don't get to have backpacks because the school feels that the cubbies in the kindergarten rooms are too small for them. The kindergartners have to buy these standard issue bags to carry all of their supplies. *Sigh*...look at the little name tag his teacher wanted him to wear on the first day. When we broke the news to Brian that he wouldn't get to carry his Batman backpack to kindergarten I could see the wheels turning in his mind. After some thought he said. "Mom...I can make my Batman backpack fit...so, I should just take it." Sorry, buddy, your school is very clear on this point. I did get a chuckle out of picturing you cramming your backpack into your cubby with all of your strength, though...and honestly...I had no doubt you could, "make it fit".

I like Adam and Brian's bus driver, Mr. Turman, for many reasons but, primary among them is that I love the fact that he separates all of the kids on the bus by age. I feel more secure knowing Brian is up front with all of the little kindergartners. Today when he boarded, Mr. Turman yelled out to me, over the rumble of the bus, thoughtfully, "How are you doing?" I yelled back, "My baby is on a bus!!" He smiled and nodded knowingly saying, "I know...I know." He has seen Brian for the last 2 years waiting with us in the driveway to watch Evan and Adam board. Perhaps, it seemed strange to both of us, that this year Brian is old enough to climb aboard. As the bus pulled away I started to cry, though softly this time, and told Mike, "I couldn't even see Brian's little head through the bus window because, *sniffle* he is so small."

So...here's to a new year...with lots of school supplies and adventures. I think my pack mules are pretty amazing little men.