I knew when this summer started, it would be over much too soon. We didn't take a vacation. We went camping on our land once...once! The older they get, the more I know that will be the norm, but it wasn't as if we didn't do anything. 

My eldest moved out on his own, helped with orchestra camp, and played in the community orchestra. The second oldest worked numerous jobs this summer from concessions, to warehouse work, to now throwing pizzas at an Italian restaurant. He too was in strings camp. Then he and the oldest son traveled on their own to New Jersey to visit friends, and spend the day in New York City. One of their friend's aunts is a CNN anchor! Oh, yeah, they certainly did sit behind the desk on the set! Kiddo number three, was as normal, the busiest kid! Following strings camp, he had multiple sports camps. Lacrosse, Power Skating to improve his hockey game, Hockey camp, to improve his game, and a pre-tryout camp--you guessed it--to get on the team. He went bike riding and hiked the mountain outside the front door multiple times. Thanks to big brother, he too has landed a job in the restaurant, so he too is a working boy. Lovey number four did a theater camp and performed in the Lion King. Then he interviewed to be a Playologist at the Children's Museum (and it was a real interview process), where he got the job and volunteered each week. And the baby...well...he likes to take it easy! He played in strings camp, but then he took the summer off! Seriously, he enjoyed each day as it was meant to be. An occasional bike ride and Tuesdays having lunch and fun with grandma. That was his agenda.

Thursday morning, we shuttled them off to school. One is all grown up. One in his senior year, two in their freshman year, and one entering seventh grade. For the first time in fourteen years, I didn't have anyone to drop off at the elementary school.

I think they were all happy to be getting back into a normal routine. And the treat of the morning was their daddy was here to get them all up, take some to school, and he's off to pick them off. He's currently "retired" as I call it. But the dream was for him to get to do these things for our kiddos and now we're getting to.

I think of the first day of school like the Mondays that I love. Fresh start. A chance to make it the best year ever! It's crazy to me how they all got this old. I know my mother always said it goes fast, I just didn't know she'd be so right. I love who they are becoming! Each one is starting to find themselves, and that becomes as thrilling as a new school year. It's been interesting too to see the friendships that have bloomed between students and teachers as they grow. They have continued to mold my children's lives even as they blaze into adulthood.

So this morning, I made them all lineup in front of the same garage door, all of those who live here. We took the photo that would be shared on social media with the masses. And now the countdown will begin to winter break, spring break, and inevitably graduation and summer break. Circle of life? I suppose it is. And here I am embracing every moment of it.

How did first day of school go for you? Are you excited about the new year? 

<3 Bernadette Marie <3 

​I will never forget how wonderful it felt to get a little note in my lunch box from my mom. It was special.

Nowadays I try to think about that special moment and realizing that my boys are older (and boys) I try to code it up a bit. A coded note from mom is equally as special.

In our house, the number 33 represents "I love you." (All families have those little things that only those members truly know.) I will write this on a napkin and tuck it in their lunch. They know I'm thinking of them, but anyone looking to poke fun at them will be none the wiser.

Luckily, though, my 6th grader still likes notes, and he just doesn't care who sees them. He likes having a mommy that will take the time to do it.

Do you put notes in your kids' lunch boxes?

~Bernadette Marie~

I love having my boys around. Summers are great fun. But my-oh-my, I always long for school to start. Now, don't think that I disrespect the teachers, and assume they should have my kids and not me. But they're just more well rounded during the school year. 

You have to admit there is something to be said for having a regular schedule. My kids tend to thrive better when they know what to expect. Summer just doesn't offer that for us. Sure, there were camps, and classes, and lessons, and vacations, but nothing seemed to stay consistent for all five of my boys. I had one boy watch a billion hours of Netflix and never move. (Only a slight exaggeration!)

It's hard for me too. I'm a work-from-home-mom. My corporate office is in my house. During the summer, it's usually in my kitchen or dining room table. My productivity is down during this time too.

Let's not dwell too much on the housekeeping either. Let's just say it's hard to keep a clean house when there are seven people coming and going at all times. It's like cleaning with a tornado following close behind.

So I'm not the mom who will post a meme of herself doing a celebration dance (I paid for that celebrating woman at the top), but I admire those who do! I'm the mom who can admit I prefer the school year! I like returning to our regularly scheduled program. I like to pick up and drop off. I like the words, "do you have your lunch, did you brush your teeth, did you get your homework?" I like consistency. 

Who am I kidding? Five kids, you don't have consistency. But for a few months, during the school year, we get to fake it!

Happy Back to School for everyone! Have a fantastic school year!
Love,
Bernadette Marie

It's been awhile since I blogged. Life gets in the way whether you have one or five kids, that's for sure. In the missing months, since I last wrote, we wrapped up hockey seasons, played a little more hockey, performed in musicals, and I had my first of five graduate from high school.

The minute you took them to kindergarten, you knew the day would come when they would walk the stage in some school color themed robe and they'd get a plaque that said, "I'm all grown up now." But through all the spelling tests, math quizzes, choir concerts, squeaky cello practices, it actually comes and so much goes through your head.

Did I give him the tools to do this adult thing? Did I help him enough with his homework? Were his friends good enough friends? Were his teachers at least a little sorry to see him go?

I still don't know all the answers for him. The only thing I know is that he's at that magical age of 18 and for the next year he kind of has a free pass. Society looks at you at 18 and 19 and says, "Oh, you're still trying to figure it out." You might go to college or learn a technical skill. Gap years are big now. Work is an option and so it starting your own business. And for this year and a half ahead of you, you get that slack in the rope. You can change your mind a million times and everyone nods and says, "Good for you."

As a parent, however, you stand back and look at this man who took the place of your little boy and you just want to pull in him close and hold on. But another part of you wants to push him out of the tree and watch him fly. (Oh, God! I have to do this four more times and I can't keep my emotions in tact to even write this blog post.)

But I think we did okay. He's changed his mind a million times in one year as to what he wants to do when he grows up. So far, he's come back to a passion that has always had his heart and we will see where that leads him. He also started his own company, two years earlier than I started my first. Maybe I did show him something along the way. 

I think he just might make it in this adult life. We did all we could do and now it's his turn to shine. And I turn to see the other four watching and learning from not only us, but from him too. I'm pretty proud to say, they have a great role model in their oldest brother. 

Fly, kiddo! The world is yours!

I'm not unskilled in the Middle School years. I've already had two go through it, but as I embark on my twins starting the seventh grade, I seem to be a bit more hesitant. They are MUCH smaller than my other boys were. Physically, they are just little boys. The thing is, I know what Middle School does to these kids.

Seventh grade they walk in all timid and scared. This is the big time. Lockers. Different teachers. Lots of teachers. Oh, and a whole lot of kids they don't know. Yeah, my boys are lucky. Between Hockey and Karate, they do know a lot of people they didn't go to school with before. However, it doesn't make it any less scary.

I'm going to see them walking next to BIG eighth graders and think they just aren't ready. I'm going to hold them when the struggles of being overwhelmed hit. And I'm going to watch them grow into future eighth graders. 

A funny thing happens when a young man hits eighth grade. They have a growth spurt that puts them eye to eye with you. Their voice begins to sound very foreign. In some cases you'll keep trying to wipe their upper lip because they are dirty, but it's hair.

It's an amazing time these kiddos are headed for. They will meet people that will shape their lives. They will say goodbye to some of their favorite friends as they outgrow them too.

I'm not sure how, as parents, we are supposed to accept all the changes that come at this time. But, somehow we are programmed to get through it. Emerging on the other side of middle school are enhanced versions of our little ones. Young men and ladies walk away to high school--and we're ready.

It's a rocky ride. I won't lie. But don't blink! It'll be the fastest two years of your life, even if it seems to drag on for them.