Sniff Sniff

It should really be no big deal. I mean, how many teenagers are starting school tomorrow? It's not like it's my baby's first day of high school. It's not. But it IS his first day as a Junior. Not just any Junior. JUNIOR VICE CLASS PRESIDENT. This kid is WAY more popular than I EVER was in high school. And that's perfectly ok with me.

I suppose I'm in a bit of denial because I know what a pivotal year this is going to be for him. I saw shades of it last school year, the last three months or so, when he all of a sudden had a new found focus on school. He has always been a good student, well behaved most of the time (he has, since Kindergarten, been a chatty kid, but was always able to talk and pay attention to the teacher), has had a few run-in's with his attitude and "dumb" teachers (his words), maintained good grades, been well liked, etc. However, towards the end of Sophomore year, he began to do his homework without asking. He began talking to me about future classes he was going to take, things that would look good on college transcripts. He began meeting with his guidance counselor without me prompting him. He began applying for mini-scholarships. He trained harder at soccer practices. Both Franklin and I noticed a difference.

But....he IS my son. He knew that being in the Leadership class would be a perk for college. He found out that if he ran for student government, even if he lost, he would be granted entrance into that class for next year. So he decided to run. He didn't care (so he said) if he won or lost. Turned out, he was running against one of his best (girl) friends, Randi (secretly her mom and I hope they get married after college - but they insist they are like brother and sister. Whatever.) It was bittersweet......if he won, if she won.....well. Alex won, and I know he was happy, so now he is the Junior class Vice President. With all these extra responsibilities. Like working registration days. Which he did. Attending every school dance. Hmmm. He doesn't much like dances but guess what? I'll bet my left boob he will enjoy them. He has to work the concession stand at every home football game. Again, he makes like it is work, but I know he will enjoy the socialization that will come with all these opportunities this year. He's the kind of kid that has friends across all social groups - athletes, skaters, cheerleaders, gang bangers.......well rounded, I guess!

This will be a pivotal year for him - not only socially, but academically. SAT's this year. Seriously looking at colleges. Applying for scholarships because we haven't done well at saving for him. He has AP English, Chemistry, Pre-Calculus. Damn my kid is smarter than I was. Than I AM. That is perfect. This is what you want for your children - to be smarter, better looking, have more opportunities, etc. etc. than we did.

His challenge, and mine as his mother, is to learn how to manage his time. He will have many outside of school responsibilities as VP. Required for the  leadership class. He will continue to play and train hard at soccer. He will have a heavy load of homework. Time management is NOT his strong suit. He had 3 books to read this summer. How many did he finish? One and a half. Yep. He is my son, but HELLOOOO?? A reader he is NOT. So I suppose that part of him is Franklin's son. He did not manage the reading time well this summer, no matter how many times I helped him figure out how many pages he needed to read each day to finish all three books. No matter how many times I nagged him. No matter how many days I left him alone to figure it out on his own. Sigh. There's only so much I can do.

So tomorrow begins a new chapter, so to speak. I will take him to school each day since he starts at 8:00 and I need to be at school by 8:00. Cassie starts earlier than last year, 8:15 so Franklin will take her daily and then go to his school by 8:30. This proved to be an issue this morning as Cassie realized I really wasn't taking her with me in the mornings anymore.

I hope to spend each morning savoring the 10 minutes in the car as I drop Alex off to school. I hope to be on time so I can stop and get my much needed coffee before heading to school. I hope that Cassie adjusts quickly to being with Daddy more and stops being jealous and missing me too much. I hope.....I hope.....

And in two days I am off to Texas for a Les Mills Quarterly....but that's another post. I'm just a bit teary eyed at the thought of dropping my baby....I mean my big boy.....I mean my little man......my growing son....my first born off to a new adventure tomorrow.

I love him to pieces. Sniff Sniff.