There is something special about that fresh box of crayons. Every hue tapered to a perfect point. It is the quintessential smell of back-to-school. Crisp new books line our shelves. Unopened. Beckoning little eyes, hands, ears, minds to discover... to create... to learn... to grow. Learning is an amazing, lifelong journey.
On these days of fresh beginnings, I pause to reflect on the gift that my family is blessed to know... this gift of learning with and from one another. Each person has gifts to share. Each has lessons to learn... including Mama... especially Mama. I learn more from this journey than I could ever impart in these treasured days... years.
Our back-to-school traditions are rather simple and intentionally centered around the premise that we learn at home, rather than school at home. This is our home, not a school. This is our family, not a class. This is where we grow, nurtured via each of our senses.
The boys tumble down the stairs, often still a bit bleary-eyed... much like Christmas morning... eager to discover all that is new in the classroom. We browse through our new books, discuss goals for the new year, reflect on highlights from the year before. Bright eyes take in new bulletin boards, incentive charts begging to be filled sticker by sticker for best efforts and a plethora of new manipulatives for little and big hands alike.
Each son finds a special note from me. Nothing long. (Shock!) Nothing fancy. Love penned out for little boy eyes.
Once the excitement has settled to a happy ease, we head to the kitchen, where we make a special breakfast. Last year's choice is likely to be repeated this year... homemade cinnamon rolls. Little hands kneed dough on the counter top, bursting into giggles for no reason at all except sheer anticipation of gooey goodness.
It's an easy day of family time... because family is what our home is about... learning together day by day.
Now, let's color... I have dibs on periwinkle. :)
From our hearth to your home,
Susan
