High School, Middle School-First Day is Always Emotional

Today the kids went back to school...my 2 teenagers.
No matter what age they are...the first day of school is still emotional. My son, who left school to be homeschooled as a sophmore last year, wanted to got back...we could not have been happier. A lot of circumstances had us pull him out last year...but HE chose not only to go back, but to repeat his sophmore year...this is a young man, now 16, who really got it together this summer. He looked great as he walked with his best friend to school. I gave him a few extra $ so he could grab a snack on the way home...as I watched him go down the street...even at age 16, I still started to cry...happy tears.
My 13 year old daughter, in her usually fashion of doing everything with a group...met at her friend's house...with 3 other girls. They all had on their 'first day of school clothes.' One had a cute pink dress, one had a cute denim skirt and my daughter and another friend...who even look alike...had on jeans. The best part of her outfit...hot pink Converse Sneakers...My friend took a picture of the 4 of them together...4 friends who have been best friends since second grade. As she was running fashionably late, and as I dropped her off at her friend's house...
I cried.
I cannot wait to hear what teachers they have,who's in their classes, what they had for lunch...etc.
They will come home with a long list of school supplies that I forgot to get, and clothes that they "must have because everyone else does." And I will buy it all...
This was the best summer ever. Very few 'big' things happened...no big trips, no shopping for really expensive clothes, NO DRAMA! LOTS of wonderful 'little' things happened that really matter...they both have wonderful friends, and are great kids...
So as I sent them off to school today, I did it with a happy heart...knowing that all if fine in my world.

School is a comin'

Well...the day is fast approaching...back to school. I will soon have 2 kids in 2 grade..8 and 10...and they are not all that happy...:). Usually this time of year means they get to see their friends again, go back to their after school activities and even hook up with some beloved teachers. But it has been a great summer for both of them...they SAW their friends, they played their sports, and even saw their teachers on the field. What they are unhappy about...summer reading...which they are cramming this week, back packs, eating on a schedule (my kids are perpetual snackers), and worst of all--GETTING UP IN THE MORNING!
I remind them that everyone has to do this...and even their dad and I did...but of course, as I felt many years ago...this does not matter. What matters is THEY have to do it.
Once at school, it will be fine...and even fun...they DO get to see more friends, get to have NEW teachers, even the food isn't bad at the Middle School and High School...and they will even sign up for an extra activity or 2...I'm sure.
But the one thing, I just cannot say is "fun" are those mornings...but then again...who really does like to get out of bed?
And although it does not matter to them...I am the one who has to get up first, to wake them up...so we are all in the same boat..
And it will a great year...even if we are all a bit more tired.