My three kids are all starting school today so last night, we had some interesting bedtime conversations with some nervous feelings concerning who will be in my class, who will my teacher be, will I have to hand-write everything this year, are you going to make me pack my own lunch, if I do, will you give me enough money to buy an American Girl doll….and the list goes on.

We checked, double-checked and then re-checked our backpacks cross referencing a list we found from two years ago reminding us to bring in a box of tissue so as not to deplete the one box per year, per classroom as dictated by the staff person whose job it is to dispense that single box of tissues.

We labelled indoor running shoes, new backpacks, practiced tying shoes and opening zippers on pencil cases.

Chloe flashed her new Smurfette lunch bag in my face during all of this, unbeknownst to her she doesn’t really start until later this week though, it should be knownst to her because I’ve mentioned it several dozen times.

Ellie who usually ends the evening with some magical good-night wrap-up that makes everyone feel warm and cozy and with just the right sentiment to set the tone for a great night’s sleep and a fabulous first day of school, totally delivered.

Ellie: Mommy, before you leave my room, I have something to tell you.

Here it is. Words of wisdom from a seven year old.

Ellie: Have you ever noticed that some people’s eyes are spaced way out here (holding two fingers up to her eyes and pointing them in opposite directions towards the walls) and some people’s eyes are so close together like this (fingers forcing her eyeballs to touch) so they are almost touching?

Good luck at school everyone.

Keep your eyes open.