I miss the days of crayons.
Life was so much simpler when my main back-to-school concerns were markers and folders for my two children. Now, with both of them entering middle school, I face the daunting tasks of obtaining zip drives and expensive calculators. And the horror if I purchased a nonzip binder for my eighth-grader.
Leaves little time to feel wistful about my youngest child going to the middle school, thankfully. Because when I take a breather from my usual hectic pace, not only do I wonder where the time went but wish I could get some of it back.
I remember when my son began kindergarten like it was yesterday.
And I’m sure Marisol and Carlos Barreiro of Hamlin also will never forget their children’s first day of kindergarten — times five!
Mom and Dad seem to have taken in stride all the surprises and adventures that have come their way in raising their energetic quintuplets and big sis, Soleemar. She, in that perfect honesty of childhood, recently told me having so many siblings can be "annoying."
I found them all utterly charming during a visit to their home, where the quintuplets greeted me at the door and asked if I was their new teacher. The boys, dressed in their adorable hunter green plaid PJs, excitedly took me by the hand to show me their cool bunk beds. Across the hall, the girls pointed out their vividly pink room and three little beds lined up in a row. I felt like I had been dropped into a fairy tale.
I hope Emealis, Zoraelis, Lysmarie, Dáron and Jomar have a wonderful start to their educational careers. And here’s a pat on the back to Mom and Dad for raising such a sweet and friendly bunch.
