Today was the first day of school. It was a day of new beginnings. Cooper started kindergarten. Finley started preschool. Both were at a new school.
I made a new start too. Today is the first day I spent more than a few stolen minutes on my writing. To date writing has been confined to nap time, after-bed time, when-the-kids-are-otherwise-occupied time.
Now I have some “me time,” three mornings a week, 12 whole hours. I’ll be able to hole up in the library or the bookstore, draft my freelance articles, write manuscripts and shop those manuscripts to publishers.
I relished my first day. After drop off and first day of school activities, I headed to the library with coffee in hand. Before the library opened, I had nearly completed an article for BirdBrain Science while perched on a park bench. Once inside I picked up some children’s books — inspiration and information for two leveled readers I’ll work on tomorrow. All-in-all it was a productive morning. I can’t wait until tomorrow!
Kirsten W. Larson 
SO much fun – for all of you!
It was a fun day!
Congrats on those first days. I hope the boys enjoyed it as much as you. Looks like a fun dress code for at least one school
Don’t you wish we could all wear superhero costumes.
You know if you get bored of all that free time you can always come over to get your baby fix, times two come Sept.
Ha, ha, Lourdes! Believe me, I almost didn’t know what to do with two hours of free time. What will I do with almost four hours tomorrow?
So fun, Kirsten! {While I love my homeschooling, I *am* slightly jealous of your coffee and uninterrupted writing time!} Enjoy it!
Then I won’t tell you that I am writing by the pool this morning! I do miss my little guys though. I am looking forward to them settling in so I can start helping with hands-on science in the classroom.
Kirsten…best of luck to your two schoolboys! And how wonderful for you that you will now have quality time for your writing and yourself! As much as I know you love being a mommy…it’s so important to accomplish your dreams and reach your writing goals…go for it. 😉
Thanks Vivian! I do think I am having the biggest adjustment of the three of us after nearly 6 years at home. But it is fun!
I think you are right…it is usually the parent who has the most “trouble” adjusting to kids leaving home…but you have your writing…so I think it will be wonderful for you!
I’m so excited for you and your kids. Were you sad to see them go? I have three more weeks before I’m free every day for the first time. Apart from toilet training issues of course. I should have got a job at school, I’m sure I’ll be there a lot! Enjoy this time!
Thanks Catherine. I’m not really sad, because I remind myself that there are plenty of holidays, summertime, etc. when I’ll get to see them all the time. Still, it is weird that during the week Cooper will spend most of his waking hours with other people!
Congrats to all of you! Be careful not to sign your name to each volunteer list or those twelve hours will melt away before you can take your first lick!
I have been trying to be very disciplined. So far, I’m only doing LEGO robotics team (after school for 6-8 weeks), and I have volunteered to do some hands-on science in the classroom. I’m hoping that’s just a couple of times a month.
Lucky! Our school only offered LEGO robotics after third or fourth grade, They also offered a great weekly science program to GT kids once/wk, and you had to get up early for that! I loved volunteering in elementary, but I am a bit burned out with one kid and two yrs left. I am certain you will enjoy it – goodness knows your enthusiasm will be needed!
Bittersweet to be sending the kids off to school in some ways, but oh the opportunities for you 🙂 Sounds like you had a great first day, and I’m betting the world is going to read lots of great things from Kirsten Larson! 🙂
It was bittersweet. Today was the second day, so we’ll see how everyone does. I finished a draft of a leveled reader and started work on another. It’s so much fun to have such lengthly blocks of time in which to write.
Congrats! Love the Iron Man suit! 😉 I can’t wait (or can I?) to start my new school! 🙂
Are you off to middle school? That should be a new challenge.
Nope I am going into 5th grade. We moved over the summer and I am starting a whole new school. I am excited about it but a little nervous!
Good luck, Erik. We moved a lot when I was younger. It’s tough, but it’s nice to make new friends.
Awwww! What a special day for all of you!
It was a fun day. So far, the fun has continued. Cooper really loves kindergarten!
First day of school sounds like the first day of the rest of your life 🙂 I’m sure it will be difficult to have the kids away at school but what a great opportunity to put paper to pen. Good luck!
Hi Paul! Thanks. I already don’t quite know what to do with all this writing time on my hands.
Be careful what you wish for, right? 🙂