Our summer is quickly winding down. We’re already halfway through my last week of summer break, and I can count on one hand the number of remaining days until I return to work.

We’ve had a magical summer that has been full of fun and laughter. We managed to check off a lot of items on our Summer Fun List and we had a blast doing other activities, too. Add in three trips and lots of parties, outings, and visitors, and I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say we’ve had a super Summer. To the maxx, fo sho.

But, as much as it’s been sunshine and rainbows, I think we’re ready to transition back to our school year schedule.

I’m actually itching to get back into the classroom and to meet my new crop of school kiddos. I’m excited to try out some new strategies I learned this summer and rework and improve different areas of my teaching.

Lil’ CB seems ready for some consistent routines, too. He’s been delightful throughout our 2 months together, but the closer he gets to three (less than 3 weeks!), the more we’ve struggled with some behavior as he learns more and grows more independent, and therefore fights for more autonomy.

ADVERTISEMENT

We think being back in a consistent daily routine will help Lil’ CB during the time he does have with us at home, because his time away from home will be filled with age-appropriate activities that will help him cultivate and develop his skills, while allowing him to have fun with same-age peers.

This year, that routine will be new. Lil’ CB will be starting preschool 4 days a week for 3 hours and 15 minutes a day. He will be attending preschool at my school, where he will be a peer model in the Special Education Preschool program. This means that Lil’ CB will be in a class of no more than 8 children (6 of whom have varying special needs that require daily support during the school week) with one Special Education teacher and two trained instructional assistants. Peer models are usually typically developing children who can appropriately engage in a preschool class with differently-abled children. We are really excited for Lil’ CB to be a part of this program and think that the small class size and high teacher support, along with the diversity will be a perfect fit for our little guy.

And the best part is that once Lil’ CB’s school day is over, mine will be, too. We’ll be able to pack up and head home together, ready for some afternoon adventures. I am SO incredibly grateful for the changes we’ve made in my work schedule that will allow me to work part-time so Lil’ CB and I can have our morning routines and then have our moments of magic in the afternoons…

And it’s because of that that I think we’re ready…

But ready or not, here we come!

Are you looking forward to the end of summer and the start of school?