Quiet.

They went back to school this morning and the house is quiet. Last night I did everything I could do to make the morning rush go a little more smoothly. The laundry was done, they had their clothes laid out, backpacks were cleaned then filled with folders and library books ready to return. Can you hear the washer and dryer? the kids arguing about putting their clothes away?  shouts of "I can't find that book!" I had shopped for lunch supplies and we found all the hats and mittens we knew we would need for the cold snap that came overnight. Can you hear the sounds of groceries being put away in pantry and cupboards? the slamming of closet doors and complaints of lost mittens? After a slight delay getting the van to go (the doors were frozen shut! Hello winter temps at last!), we were off and they were on their way back to school after two weeks of a really wonderful Christmas break. Hear the sounds of an ice scraper on my windshield, the beeping of a partially open/closed van door that is frozen!?

And now...it's quiet here. I know many moms are super happy about the words "back to school" after a long Christmas break. And I admit I am super eager to be able to clean a room and have it stay clean for the day. I've read the Facebook posts since Christmas Day; so many complaints of the mess, the kids fighting with each other, the lines for returns, the "I'm bored Mom" complaints amidst piles of gifts received just a few days before. But I have to say that even though I experienced some of this myself, (didn't I just comment about wanting a clean room??) I really enjoyed having them home with me. Hearing their laughter as they played, listening to the girl sing to herself, listening to the boy's constant "would you rather" questions, ("would you rather be in a car with a bunch of girls that love you and hate each other, or hate YOU and love each other?"), listening to her reading Ralph S. Mouse, listening to his loud music and efforts to train the dog to roll over. And now it's quiet.

I'll enjoy the quiet a bit for sure. And I will most likely treat myself to a manicure this week, watch some DVRd shows, crush some candy, and other things for myself. But I will also be really happy to meet them at the bus stop and hear the stories of their first week back after so long away from school. Quiet gone again...thank goodness.