Back to School...?

If you read my "back to school" post last year, you may have come back today in eager anticipation. It was one of my favorite posts ever, and I myself was wondering just what I might say of any consequence this year by comparison. And yes, I have also eagerly anticipated today. Because, let's just say, my kids have been needing a break from me.

Well, today was the big day. Here's Ben. He's in third grade, and he has never in six collective years of preschool and school failed to give me a giant grin on the first day of school. Several of them. Today was no exception. He is simply game for anything. Seriously, if you were a teacher, wouldn't you want THIS kid to show up in your classroom?  Yes, you would.  I know.  I was a teacher for quite a while.  And he is so much fun!

Bethany is in second grade.  I LOVE second grade.  Taught it for many years.  She has been so excited about having Ben's teacher from last year, and having her best friend in her class.  And this year she knows lots of kids in her class.  Nice ones.  Couldn't be better.  Right, Bethany? Bethany?  Bethany!  The bus is here!  Are you ready??

Oh, HERE you are!
 

Well, as it turns out, it's hard to get up for school after being up all night with a bit of an earache. Worrying about what will happen if you go to school with said earache. Worrying about what will happen if you don't go to school. All that crying and moaning can be exhausting. Even if Mom does stay in your room to comfort and reassure you the whole time.

Well, go back to sleep if you need to, but unless you have a fever, you must face the First Day Jitters head on when you wake. Yes, you must. Because the only thing worse than First Day Jitters is Second Day Jitters. I don't even want to imagine it.

In the end, I dragged her to school late, kicking and screaming gave her my best pep talk and took her to school so the nurse could check out her ear and sweet talk her into going to class let us know what she recommended.  She thought it looked ok, and that Bethany could wait to see a doctor after school.  And yes, she has an ear infection.  In both ears.  But she was quite pleased with her day, and we are all finished with another year of First Day Jitters. Hallelujah for that!

2008 Garden Chronicles: A moral victory

If you read this post about this guy,

you might have agreed with me in the spring that it was not looking good for my garden.  Not only was the rabbit wreaking havoc, but then came the hail. 

Not too optimistic, I did what I often do. When the roadside garden stores started their half price sales in mid-June, I went and bought a bunch of plants. I always figure if you plant enough, there will be some the rabbits won't like, and the less space you leave the more likely they will be to move out to the lawn and start eating the clover. I wouldn't have bet it would work when they gobbled down my marigolds. Marigolds, for crying out loud! Greedy buggers.

Well, I will never be a master gardener with this approach, but here is the view from my kitchen:

Not bad for hopeless, I'd say! Here's a closer look:

Affirmed again for planting my flowers on top of each other.  Best. Rabbit. Repellant. Ever! My husband may or may not have done a little something of his own to protect my investment. We won't worry about that.

I saved the best for Wordless Wednesday!