The Mom Squad

But first… when doing a “Top Ten”… does one go from 10 to 1 or from 1 to 10?

I’m gonna count backwards. That way, I can show off my mathiness.

10. The smell. There is this “smell”. It’s not the smell of Fall, but the smell of “Fall is on it’s way.” It’s like the smell of cookies, but nature-ier.

9. New shoes. For mom. I got myself a pair. You should copy me.

8. A sense of “peace is near”… I can do anything for 9 more days. Even be with my own children. I know, I’m a saint.

7. Sunflowers.

6. School lunch snacks in the pantry. This also sucks because I am not a good resister of temptation. *raises fist to curse the Hostess snack cake*

5. The end of guilt is near. At the end of every school year I am so intent… on making sure the kids do some form of school work for X many minutes everyday… and then they will bring world peace. Well, every year I seem to lower my own bar… and at this point a teeny little red ant prolly couldn’t limbo under my intentions. So… back to school means I won’t feel guilty for undoing the previous year’s education.

4. Peace and quiet. Gloray!

3. New backpacks and school supplies. I bought extra so I could have my own stash and feel like a teacher again. I skipped on the denim overall dress though.

2. A break. I love my kids, but kids are work! And much of the summer I have stayed up very late at night to do my own work. Back-to-school means I may be able to get to bed before 1 a.m. and finish the bulk of my “work life” while they are busy with learning.

1. I love Fall. And my birthday is in the Fall. So… bring it, and by “it”, I mean PRESENTS.

But enough about ME… Why do YOU look forward to “back-to-school”?

- Jenny is a scattered mom of 3 who loves to dance, spray glitter, and dreams of being famous… You can read more about Jenny at her blog Jenny On The Spot, where she has been telling tales of maternal defeat and digression since 2004. You can also find her on Twitter.

Do you remember when it started? Were you 4? 6? 9? Maybe 12? 

I remember my first crush. I remember chasing Him on the playground in first grade. I remember the moment I “fell in love” with Michael *swoon*… First grade, circa 1980. He looked just like Elvis.

Fast forward nearly 30 who cares how many years. Trivial. I took my daughter to play practice this afternoon. (GO Kitsap Children’s Musical Theater!!!) Olivia wandered in while I stayed in the car with my 4 year old daughter and 9 year old son. Within minutes I felt as if my hawt little minivan was a bloody carcass being circled by hungry sharks. 

No, it was worse! A gaggle of giggling elementary girls circled my van when they discovered my son was safe inside. The ring-leader came up to my window and inquired, “Is that Joel in there.” I looked her in the eye in my rearview mirror – searching for cues from my son. Should I answer yes… or should we make a break for it?

I couldn’t see him. He had hit the floor. Poor kid. I did hear a voice from the back… “Mmmfmfmsfmfmfm”.

“What, Joel?” I asked as my eyes crossed a little.

“Those girls are my and Z’s Arch. Enemies. At. Recess!!!”

I turned to the ringleader and said, “Yep. That’s him.”

The sharks girls proceeded to the back window to taunt and tease and giggle. 

As the girls and my boy engaged in elemantary flirtations my mind went back to my first day in Mrs. House’s class… *begin dream sequence*

I walked into a bright, happy classroom. My eyes found the class sitting in a circle around Mrs. House. She was reading them a book. Probably The Giving Tree… as my glance settled in… I saw him. Him. Michael. *sigh* My eyes lit up, and my first grade heart lept. Our eyes met, and I remember this next part like the day I was born it was yesterday… We held each other’s gaze, but for only a moment… for he could not contain his excitement and he went from “criss-cross applesauce” to his knees. He frantically  waved and yell-whispered across the desks, “Hi Jenny!!!”

All year we chased each other all over the playground. That was a great year. *closes eyes*

***screech!!!***

Aaaand the cycle continues… Oh dear… 

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