First day of school

Today is the first day of school. Last night at 10:30pm I realized I did not have the ingredients for the breakfast I needed to cook the next morning, so I made a mad dash to the store for hashbrowns, sausage and orange juice. I jumped up this morning and began my two cups of coffee. I made my mother's famous biscuits, hashbrowns, sausage, and scrambled eggs. I sat and waited patiently until everyone was ready and could sit down at the table for a blessing. A blessing of thanksgiving that my children are able to go to school. A blessing that they are healthy, confident, comfortable, and sitting at the table with me this morning. We laugh about football practice. My husband comments on my daughter's mascara and her eyebrows looking like Brooke Shield's. My son harasses his dad about being old, too fat, and a washed up old football player. My husband teases my daughter about a boy liking her and meeting her teachers at open house last night. I make each one take a vitamin for the day. After the final tooth brushing, we take the famous first day of school picture on the porch. My sweet son always puts his are around his sister. She smiles the Renee Whitherspoon, movie star pose. He puts the older brother, I am two feet taller than you, game face on. I take two pictures. We grab their stuff and hop in the car. My husband sits in the front. My son always complains there isn't enough room for his legs in the backseat. My daughter is busy checking her lipgloss. We always leave a few minutes too late, but make it on time. I squeeze their hands for a great day and we tell them we love them. Next year, my son will be driving. The first day will be different, but I'll cook the same breakfast. I'll take that same picture and I will tell them I love them.