First Days

This morning I only had 30 minutes to myself, 30 minutes in a quiet house before waking up the kids, when they woke it was back to the hectic morning rhythm and routine that comes with this time of year. Packed lunches for the little ones. Handed over $20 to my 8th grader. Poured two bowls of cereal. Scrambled two eggs. Poured multiple glasses of orange juice. Kicked Sam out of the kitchen twice. Did three loads of laundry. Drank two cups of coffee. And one cup of tea. Had Ethan change his shirt twice. Owen four times. Nixed a pair of Ana's shorts. Tried to convince her to wear jeans. Didn't succeed. Searched over the course of 45 minutes for Owen's shoes. Couldn't find a single pair of his shoes. Found only flip flops. Flip flops won't do. Cleaned the kitchen floor. Twice. Life with three kids and a puppy. Woke up daddy using a rambunctious 7 year old.  Watered two plants. Found a pair of Owen's shoes 5 minutes before walking out of the door. Kissed one forehead and three pairs of lips. Gave a gajillion hugs. Snapped one cute pic. Kissed two of my boys goodbye and wished them a good day. Dropped the older two off at middle school. MIDDLE SCHOOL! Tried not to cry as I walked away. This morning was crazy. This morning was the first day of school.