'Twas the night before School, when all through the house
the only creatures stirring was a family of geckos;
The backpacks were hung from the closets with care,
And uniforms ready for children to wear;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of the playground and recess danced in their heads;
And Daddy in his jammies and I in mine, too,
Were talking of the next morning and what to do.
But when morning came, it just didn't matter,
The boys awoke on their own and arose with a clatter.
Away to the kitchen I flew like a flash,
Turned on the oven and hung up the 'sash.'
The sound of the rain didn't get anyone down,
There was so much excitement, none wore a frown;
With homemade pop tarts we bowed heads to pray,
Celebrating school and ten years of marriage to the day.
When breakfast was through we had some more fun,
Seeing the goals and ambitions of each one.
More rapid than eagles they dashed from the table,
Eager to brush teeth as fast as they were able.
Then we whistled and shouted and called them to come:
"Now, Aden! now, Wiley! now Noah and Emma!
To the top of the stairs, to the end of the hall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
So down the stairs, putting shoes on, they flew
With backpacks, lunches, meryendas and water bottles too --
And then, just as they were heading for the car
They stopped in their tracks when we called them once more:
"Just one more picture right here on the steps,
Before you get dirty and come home a mess."
The next thing I knew, nearly before I could blink,
The school day was over, as quick as a wink.
They talked of their day - new teachers, new routines, new friends and fun,
Of recess and soccer, who lost and who won.
Their backpacks they quickly flung onto the floor
And we sat and listened, only wanting to hear more.
When papers were read, and they had emptied each pack,
I went to the kitchen and whipped up our 'traditional first day snack'
They all sat at the table with cookies and milk,
Dipping each one - Emma learned a new trick.
When dinner time came, their energy waned
Their eyes told the story - their brains and bodies were strained.
When dinner was done, we helped them into bed
Their minds full of fresh joys, their tummies well-fed.
Quickly they drifted right to sleep
And from their room we heard not a peep.
But I had to exclaim as I turned out the light:
"Happy School Year to all, and to all a Good Night!"
They talked of their day - new teachers, new routines, new friends and fun,
Of recess and soccer, who lost and who won.
Their backpacks they quickly flung onto the floor
And we sat and listened, only wanting to hear more.
When papers were read, and they had emptied each pack,
I went to the kitchen and whipped up our 'traditional first day snack'
They all sat at the table with cookies and milk,
Dipping each one - Emma learned a new trick.
When dinner time came, their energy waned
Their eyes told the story - their brains and bodies were strained.
When dinner was done, we helped them into bed
Their minds full of fresh joys, their tummies well-fed.
Quickly they drifted right to sleep
And from their room we heard not a peep.
But I had to exclaim as I turned out the light:
"Happy School Year to all, and to all a Good Night!"
