Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

It’s back to school baby! Which means it’s time for my annual documentation of the ridiculousness, random observations and blessings that come this time of year.

First things first. Why oh why do we start school so early? I’m not angry enough to picket or attend an actual board meeting, so obviously I’m not really worked up about it. I’m just perplexed. We start early and then we get out early, like the middle of May. Last I checked, we can still get snow in May. In fact, it’s not even safe to plant because of frost until at least the first week, arguably even until Mother’s Day. So why are we letting our kids out a week after the frost warnings have lifted? The lakes are too cold to swim because summer isn’t ready. Summer doesn’t even want our kids out this early. It literally goes against nature.

My youngest is in kindergarten this year. That means all of my kids are in school — all day long. Every year it feels odd that I have a child old enough to be in (insert grade here). Next year, I’ll have a middle schooler. What? I grew up in a small town; there was no middle school. I have no idea what he’s about to get himself into. I’m sure he’ll love the option to change classrooms and have so many different teachers. He might even enjoy the newfound freedoms that come with Southwest. Or he might hate it because they took away recess — the favorite class of many 11-year-old boys.

I was going to go into a big thing about how much school supplies cost. How we need to just raise our taxes so that teachers actually have the funds they need to purchase white board markers, quality Kleenex and other items I find myself supplying the classrooms every year. Like I said, I’m not going to go into it. I already spent the money and bought the things, and I’m kind of over it. The wound is healing, and I’d rather not pick at it.

It’s not just school supplies but all the things. Shoes, backpacks, clothes, lunch bags — times three. I’m fairly frugal, so I reuse what I can, and I’m not afraid to accept some hand-me-downs from friends. Even so, it’s a hit to the old pocketbook. Every year I tell myself that I’m going to save up and put a little away each month the same way I do Christmas. Every year I totally forget and then grumble for two weeks as I rearrange my budget to make sure my kids don’t show up to school with broken crayons and duct-taped gym shoes.

My family did have a great summer. We were able to do more than we’ve ever been able to. We packed everything we could into those 12 weeks. Having less available free time, actually made the free time we did have more precious. A free Saturday meant we were taking a trip or tackling a big project. Working Monday through Friday, I no longer take free Saturdays for granted.

All and all our family is blessed and had a wonderful summer. Do I wish it was longer? Yes. Do I wish everything didn’t cost so much? Yes. Am I ready for my kids to get back at it and go to bed earlier? You betcha.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.