I know for sure that the new school year has begun because...

...the big yellow bus rolled by this morning.

...there are piles of books and papers all over the house.

...my house is so messy.

...piano practice started up again.

...we are actually trying to stick to a bedtime.

...the boys aren't allowed to sleep until mid morning.

...the neighborhood is really quiet until about 4:00 p.m.

...ideas for scheduling, read alouds, field trips, etc. are floating freely in my head.

...I am really tired, but fulfilled.