Suddenly *Not So* Single Journey

Happiness is having start of school traditions…

Author: thenicknick

I’ve already shared with you some of our traditions.  I’ve talked about the stress and strain of finding keys.  I told you about the struggle to power through and attend two open houses in the blistering heat after working all day.  I’ve mentioned the shopping.  I didn’t dare tell about plucking Rachel’s eyebrows.  (We plucked as long as we could.  It’s break down and get the bad brows waxed time…)

Let me tell you about the best part of our start of school traditions.  (Because I’m a sentimental fool…)

Every year, the night before school starts, I try to make it extra special for the kids.  I like a nice dinner, so they can have sweet dreams on a nice full belly.  I like a nice breakfast so they can head off to school with energy for lots of big important thoughts.  I like measuring the changes because life is full of change and it should be recognized.

And so last night, after we ran around to pick up some last minute clothing necessities, we hit…Trade Joe’s!  The kids were really excited.  We had decided to make our Trader Joe night happen one night sooner…just because.

Our quest for the perfect meal started in the sushi section.  We would need appetizers.  So, we grabbed one package of California Rolls.  And I have to tell you…I don’t know why they call them that.  There’s no avocado.  That’s part of what makes them perfect.  Mostly it’s just imitation crab salad, wrapped in seaweed, then covered in rice, which is rolled in two colors of sesame seeds.  Yum.  We always need something to tide us over on the way home.

The sushi was in a horrible disarray when we arrived.

Rachel: *gasp* Mommy!

Such disrespect!  So, I picked one up and cuddled it to my chest.

me: You’re safe now, little sushi.  You’re coming with us!

And there was a man stocking food next to us.  He laughed.

Stocker: Looks like a sushi rescue.

And it was.  I’m currently keeping that sushi safe…on my thighs.

On to the frozen food section we went.  We honed in immediately on what we planned to get, as if magnetically drawn there.  We needed (yes, needed) chocolate croissants for breakfast.  And we needed mushroom risotto.  And we needed these filo triangles filled with mushrooms in some kind of wine sauce.  And we needed the flat bread covered in mozzarella, wild mushrooms, and black truffles.

Then we headed to the check out.  Once there, the kids made their happiest find: frosted animal cookies shaped like ocean creatures.  Seriously.  A box for each as their special after school snack.

For once, I seriously overestimated our ability to consume large quantities of food.  We saved the flatbread for another day.

Our list of Trader Joe’s favorites continues to grow.  (You’re seriously going to want an invite to our Christmas party.)  And we had an amazing night together.  More than anything else, that’s what counts.  We started the evening in the right mind set.

And the next morning…

There were chocolate croissants.  (Thank you, Rachel!)  And we took pictures.  And I measured them on the wall.

It’s amazing what a difference a year has made.  My babies are growing up.  And I’m treasuring each moment with them.

Wishing you all a smooth start to your school years!

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 26th, 2010 at 6:08 am and is filed under Reflections. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.