Back To School '08

Yes, I've been back at work for a week, and yes, Ashton's primary caregivers during daytime hours last week were his Grandma and daycare providers, and yes, I've been absent from the classroom as a teacher for 3 years now. But nothing brings on the "back to school" feeling like Labor Day weekend, and we're certainly feeling it in our household tonight.

If last week was all about transitions then this week is all about routines. Last week Grandma was there to be a familiar caregiver to our son, plan and prep meals, and even organize the bathroom cupboard that I had written off as being unorganizable. This week we'll be the ones to drop off and pick up Ashton from daycare, and we'll be the ones back to the "normal" daytime schedule we were on pre-tot. To be honest it feels a little weird. I'm going to wake up in the morning, have my playtime with Ash, then bring him to school, then go to work and resume life as usual. Then I'll pick him up, we'll have dinner, and he'll likely zonk around 7:30/8:00 after a LONG day of playing and learning and observing and wondering. Wondering, after all, is hard work for a 1 year old!

My hesitation is no doubt a result of my own need to re-normalize. I have a feeling it's my husband and I who need the routine more than Ashton, though I'm sure he benefits from it as well somewhere down the line. It's back to school 2008 and my gut is telling me I'm not going to sleep much tonight. Better than had we jumped into this without last week's preparations, but still not so much. Grandma, if you're reading, any chance you can swing by around 8:30 tomorrow to hang with Ash and bring him to daycare???

The boy, in all his cuteness...