You know you're a good mom if...

...your children can prepare their own nutritious breakfast,

...practice good hygiene, showering regularly,

...entertain themselves with safe, appropriate activities,

...and demonstrate a good, strong work ethic.

Now, let me see. Check, check, check and check.

Back to school

Wonderboy officially became a second grader this week. I can't figure out how I happen to have a second grader. When did this happen? He was not at all excited about school because he "doesn't like homework". I have to think he's been anxious about starting a new school, knowing almost no one. Kind of breaks my heart. We briefly met his new teacher Monday, and my boy seemed to feel a little more optimistic since his teacher is male, and as he put it, "I just get so bored of all these girls, girls, girls." We have two days of school under our belts, and I've breathed a sigh of relief as he's told me about his awesome teacher and how great the book selection in his class is. He's just itching to get his hands on the Captain Underpants books E and I have thus far banned from our own bookshelves.

But my agony didn't end there. The next day I waved goodbye to my baby girl (she is my baby and nobody may convince me otherwise) at the door and she ventured off to all-day kindergarten with her piggy tails flipping. She loves every minute of it, and the best sight in the world was the two of them exiting the school at the end of the day hand in hand. Honestly, I was devastated to learn kindergarten is exclusively all-day here. I just didn't feel ready to lose her. But if she must go, it's a huge relief that she adores it. ADORES IT. So much so, that she was crestfallen to realize, when she woke up the next morning, that she had only an ordinary Saturday to look forward to. She pleaded with me to take her to school until I explained the school was quite empty. The weekend is awfully long to an eager kindergartner.

Oh, and her one request as she prepared for all-day kindergarten? A giant carrot in her Hello Kitty lunch bag. Because those baby carrots aren't right for big girls, and she is a big girl now, thank you very much.