I have this weird look on my face this morning – kind of a mix between a smile and a frown. The reason? I placed both my wee ones on the bus – my daughter started 2nd grade, my son started kindergarten.

It is quiet here, but my mind is “busy.” The feelings I am feeling are so muddled – thrilled for them to be off and flying, anxious about how they’ll handle opening the containers I packed in their lunches, wondering what their classmates will be like, hoping I prepared them to face the challenges and dreaming that they will enjoy the moments.

I’ve been feeling all these feelings for the past few weeks. And, I know I’m not alone ( www.cafemom.com).

To create positive energy and deflect the negative feelings, we spent the “last weekend” packing in tons of fun. The most memorable – going roller skating at United Skates. Boy did we ALL have fun (and, yes, I strapped on the roller-blades even though I have not been on them in 15 years!).

Why am I telling you about roller skating? It was neat, as a Mom, to watch my kids succeed and have fun. That big roller skating circle was a great look at life’s challenges and how my kids handle them.

It was my son’s first time on skates EVER. I was proud of him for his tenacity – every time he fell on his little bottom, he got right back up and kept trying. This, of course, was a relief - to know that he isn’t going to sit down and cry every time he fails. Watching him keep on keeping on reassured me he was going to do just fine out there in the world.

My daughter is the “experienced” roller-blader. I was impressed with her tenacity as well. She is a typical first child who needs to be successful, period. She took her time, concentrated and never fell down. Her focus will do her well, too.

All that fun going around in a circle with them was a great experience for ME. Because it was the day before school started, I must have been in a really “analytical” frame of mind. Watching them helped me realize they’re going to do great. Both of them try really hard, both can focus and (most important) both know how to have fun. This is a really good feeling.

Now I just have to get them to try hard, focus and have fun with their homework!

- Lisa