It only seems like yesterday that I was unpacking the lunch box and school bag and throwing it into a corner of the kitchen. "Yippee, see you in September," I cried, with perhaps just too much glee. All those frantic mornings, cramming the best part of '5-a-day' into the Toy Story lunchbox could be forgotten about for eight whole weeks......bliss.

But all too soon, those eight weeks (which back on 1st July seemed like eight months) have flown past and I now find myself rummaging around in various presses trying to find where I threw the school bag and lunch box. The ironing basket is on high alert for some serious de-crumpling (I, for one, don't iron in the school holidays!) and I'm already making New School Year resolutions about making a break from the white bread/sliced cheese sandwich and have grand plans for baking my own savoury muffins and museli bars. I will have a calmly scheduled plan of after-school activities to see us through even the wettest and windiest of autumn weeks and all will be well.

And that's what I love about this time of year. It's like January all over again - a fresh start, a fresh approach to the routine, a fresh attitude - I just hope that it will last into October this year!

As for my young man who is about to embark on his Senior Infant year, he can't wait to go back to school and be one of the Big Boys. How funny to think back on that nervous first morning twelve months ago when both he, and I, approached the school gate with more than a hint of trepidation. It seems like a lifetime away - and I just hope that he enjoys this school year as much as he did the last one (white bread sandwiches, or not!).

Back to School - bring it on!

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