Lisa Nolan's Life Happens Then Write: Back-to-School {Monday Listicles, The Sunday Parenting Party}

Photo by Lisa Nolan

What does back-to-school mean to me?

The beginning of the school year is the pre-season to fall... with its still-warm days, cool nights, plus Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the leaf-littered corner.

Time to do some much-needed housework, or not.

Daily walks to school and losing five pounds (only to regain them after Thanksgiving).

Early bedtime for my kiddo and more time to read books from my local library (or go on Pinterest, again).

An 11:15 a.m. call from Karrie, my eight-year-old (special needs) son's public school aide: "JJ is on top of the slide taking off all his clothes. Can you please come pick him up?" Then leaving to get him while a pile of un-paid bills sit on the kitchen table.

A trip to the farm store with my son (clothes on) to buy imperfect, organic, summer fruit (locally grown seven-minutes from our house) and the best Heirloom tomatoes I've ever tasted.

Sitting outside after school in the hot sun while my son (wearing shorts) dances to mommy's music CDs. Me smiling and asking myself if I should stay outside and let the bills go another day or two. I decide to go get my library book to read, then make a fruit salad for snack.

It's still summer I remind myself.

There's no hurry. None at all.