To School In the Morning

In a few months I will be missing our walk uphill to the school at the top of the street.  After discussing with J the appropriate clothing for the day (shorts versus pants) and making sure that everyone (who is three) has used the facilities, we head out.  The twins usually say "my legs aren't strong" and want to be carried uphill.  We make it the hundred yards or so, and then cross through a stand of trees before stepping onto the playground.  Sun breaks through and one of us always comments on the beautiful morning.

We speedwalk/trot/skip across the basketball courts, then into the building, looking at the clock while wondering if we made it in time for the announcements broadcast by the fifth grade students over the closed-circuit television system.  J still doesn't mind when I kiss him goodbye at the door to his classroom.  He smiles when he goes in.

Then we retrace our route and walk home one person less.  We aren't in a hurry and we aren't cold so everyone is happy.  Our shadows are always really long and E always says "look how tall I am."  We count robins and blue jays and squirrels, and then we run downhill to end strong.