People will tell you that Christmas is the busiest time of the year, but I beg to differ. September is just crazy around my house and it seems to be caused by my three kids starting school again. It's not an easy transition from summer to school. Suddenly we have to set an alarm clock, there are lunches to be made, snacks to pack, library books and homework that must return to school with the appropriate child on the appropriate day. We're always in a hurry once school starts. There's just never quite enough time in the morning to get everyone fed, dressed, teeth brushed, shoes on and wait! Don't forget that school bag! In order to deliver everyone to school on time, it takes an unbelievable amount of planning! To add to the chaos that the start of a new school year brings, the school likes to send out a lot of forms during the first few weeks of classes. Earthquake emergency forms, volunteer forms, vaccination record forms, student directory forms and field trip permission forms, each filled out 3 times for three different small people. My hand gets tired just thinking about all of these forms.
Just when you think you're getting the hang of your new routine, extra-curricular activities begin, and the race to be on time begins again! Piano lessons, soccer practice, badminton, hockey, dance class! The rushing truly never ends! The worst part about after school activities is the driving. I spend way too much time in our car, driving back and forth from place to place. However, the best part of these activities is that the kids love it and it keeps them busy!
I find myself looking forward to October, and I've thought of a nice relaxing thing to do this time of year. The end of September/beginning of October is the perfect time to plant spring bulbs. Spring bulbs grow into the flowers we see everywhere March through until May. Crocuses, daffodils, tulips, snowdrops, and many, many more. Your local garden store or nursery is filled with a beautiful selection of bulbs in every color and variety. It's easy to plant spring bulbs. You just dig a little hole in the ground a couple of inches deep, and drop your bulb in and cover it up. Each bulb will grow to be one perfect flower. If you don't have a garden, bulbs also work wonderfully well in pots on a balcony. Wherever you decide to plant them, just make sure they get ample light and water and come springtime, you will be very happy that you made the effort to plant these the previous fall.
