Entering a new phase...

This summer has been a great one.  It was filled with all the things I love- family time, lots of laughter, adventures big and small, and quiet time at home.  It was just good... There have been other summers where I have felt too busy, too rushed to accomplish all that was on our family's plate.  This summer we did JUST what we wanted to do.  There were no feelings of obligation or "must." So as a result, everything we did, we truly seemed to enjoy at a pure level.

And now, here we are at a sort of gateway....life as we have known it up until now is going to shift.  My husband laughs and teases me for being emotional or silly- but I feel like this is a big thing we are about to embark upon.  The girls who are currently running around the house, getting out their morning crazies have had the same home base for their entire lives.  Even with Pre-school being introduced over the last few years, there was still more home time than anything else.  Still more days where we go on walks together with the dogs as the three of us, not only two.  More days where we do projects together, eat lunch together, and take turns reading books before nap and quiet time-together.  Starting Monday that changes.  It isn't bad.  It is great really....but it is SO different than how life has been for the last 5+ years. 

I had a hard time with Molly starting Pre-School. Anyone who went through it with us remembers how hard I cried; how hard it was on me.  She on the other hand was ready, excited, and faced her new reality with chin held high and excitement in her eyes.  I struggled with the idea that someone might know more about her day than I did.  That was hard for this mama who has spent her life caring and knowing about her every little detail. And Pre-School was only two mornings a week! Thank goodness this whole system has been built to help transition silly mothers like me!

Here we have arrived- Monday starts Molly's first day of full-day Kindergarten.  I know she is ready; I know it will be great for her.  I know this is a wonderful thing for all of us...I also know that it is a sort of major transition, and that I am equal parts excited and sad.  Bittersweet truly covers how I feel right now.  I will miss her- on a moment to moment basis.  I will miss the liveliness and giggles she spreads throughout our day.  Her questions, and constant sense of curiosity in the world around her.  And in some ways I am envious that someone else gets those gifts.  But I am also SO excited about the world that is going to open up in front of her eyes.  She loves her friends, and loves learning.  She already loves her classroom, because her sweet teacher has a dancing solar flower. 

So, here we go! One more phase in this world of motherhood- where we all to adapt to a new reality.  I know it is a good thing- the start of an amazing time.  But I am also allowing myself the bit of nostalgia that I need through the beginning of this transition.