Happy New School Year

Maria is in second grade, and Max survived taking care of business for the start of his freshman year. It has begun... the new year. New teachers, new classes, new expectations, re-newed hopes.
The re-newed hopes are mine...

I hope I can remember to keep an interesting, fresh, inspired selection of food on hand for snacks and lunches.

I hope we get up early, and leave on time, every single day of the year.

I hope no one gets a homework assignment that requires Herculean effort, causes family strife, or devastates our weekend plans.

I hope we don't stink. You know, like when we run out of clean socks, can't find the very important form, can't volunteer, or dread volunteering. Stink, as in running late for pick-up, or forgetting that it's crazy hair day. It stinks to be the mom that didn't read the memo about the special assembly, the special meeting, the special once-in-a-lifetime event. Speaking of special, it can stink to have special needs, to not fit the "regular" bill.

I hope we keep our humor. I hope we don't give up, or feel like surrendering.

I hope we can enjoy making HenCakes...

Hencakes are free form. First I pour the body, and I let the batter dribble up for the tail. Then I pour a small bit more for the head, comb, and beak. Pretty simple. And don't bother imagining me making stacks of hencakes... there are only ever a few, maybe only one. We're also known for our GroundCakes... groundhog pancakes. Of course, those only come out once a year!
Maria says her teacher is nice. She has familiar friends in her class, new ones too. She asked if she'll be dropped off at the curb, like the big kids, but not today, not yet. Maria declared the hardest part about school, so far, is remembering to wear socks.

It's the second day, of second grade... forms are filled, socks are on, breakfast was delicious, and she wore a ribbon in her hair. So far, so good.