Well, almost.  Tomorrow is the first day of school for Orland Park District 135 students.  That group includes my four darlings, thank you.  Sure, it is a shortened day, but I intend to use it to the fullest. 

After the last week of whining about boredom while they watched me do housework, shop for their school supplies and drive them to various social and extracurricular activities, I owe myself a little “me time” sans children.

Oh, I remember my eldest son’s first day of preschool like it was yesterday.  I dropped him off at his class and the teachers pretty much had to force me out of the door.  I then pushed my then 3 and 2-year-old children down the ramp in the double stroller as the tears rolled down my cheeks. 

I proceeded to cry like a blubbering fool and called my dad for moral support.  He laughed at me and told me that I was over reacting.  After hanging up on him I drove around the neighborhood, making sure to pass by the preschool every 5 minutes until the class let out.  I then was first in line to grab my baby boy and embrace him like he had been gone decades. 

Oh how times have changed.  Not only do I look forward to the first day of school, but I cherish, celebrate, embrace and bathe in the aspect of having time to myself.  I’m not even sure I come to a complete stop as I drop them off.

This year is special though.  For the first time in over 12 years, all 4 of my children will be in school ALL DAY.  I’m giddy like a school girl. 

I plan on returning home after dropping them off, blasting some 80’s music and doing some really bad version of the cabbage patch mixed with some vogueing. 

I apologize in advance if you happen to walk by my house tomorrow morning, look away, just look away…