Phew, September is over and I finally feel like I can relax... a bit. I can't believe I spent my entire summer anticipating the start of my daughter Maya's foray into the world of formal education (otherwise known as Kindergarten). Already I have learned a few things ....

Everyone's child is 'the best' - - to their parents. Put them all in a room together and they'll each be 'the best' at something.

Making Friends is Hard to Do - - There were a few days there where we wondered if we'd be friendless for the year. Though from the sounds of it, so did all the other kids. It takes a good couple weeks but now that the kids are settled - - whoa! Friendships are forming and it is pretty darn cute to watch.

You can do more than you think in 2.5 hours.

But it is not nearly enough!!!

The schedule? The routine? I think it is only NOW starting to form a somewhat regular pattern that we're all somewhat happy with.

But the most important thing I have learned? Kindergarten, although fun, is a lot of work... for Mommy!

My point? Every week since my last column, I have sat down at the computer to begin writing and like clockwork, something comes up. I have to pick my daughter up, help my son, sign some forms, clean out the lunch box, sign some more forms or fill out some field trip forms. And, by the time I've realized that I barely got six or seven words written... it is the weekend and it has to wait until next week now, anyway.

But here I am. I have dug myself out of the piles of paper to illicit some help! One of the best things about Kindergarten is show-and-tell, right? Well, this year they're doing something fun! Each month has a theme and this month's theme? Things that start with your child's first name. And, it has to fit in a paper bag so all of my daughter's big ideas won't fit. Now, she gets three turns this month, so looks like we'll have to put our thinking caps on and get to work! If Maya had her way, she'd bring MOM and tie me up in a bow all three times, but unless I can pull a George Shrinks or Honey I Shrunk The Mom maneuver, looks like she might have to take along something other that ME.

Maracas? We have some from Mexico if only we could find them. Money? Well what girl doesn't have an affinity for coin? She even has a special coin collection that someone gave her when she was a baby (that she knows NOTHING about.. so there goes that idea). Menu? (well her Dad is a chef.) Music? Monkey? Mouse? Ideas? E-mail me!

And for those sending the tsk.. tsk... for Mom getting overly involved in their child's homework.... I'm only helping... it's not like I'm researching AND assembling a 4th grade science project, or doing a book report! Or using my sloppy penmanship to finish up some math problems....