What do you care most about?’

This is what I asked myself last night when I was getting scattered about my plans for the first few days of school. There is just so much to do. It turns out I care about a lot of things.

I’ve been trying to coach myself to start the school year.

I want to take my own head in my hands and sternly say,

Focus!

But, I’m giving myself grace.

I’m reminding myself that I believe in “ishing” it.

Nothing needs to be perfect. You are enough.

Thank goodness for that because nothing is perfect.

Nothing is perfect, but so many things are good! What you focus on grows, what is happening that is good?

I finally made a book display I’ve been wanting to make, and I brought in my old Fisher Price school set pieces to add to the Back to School display. It’s so cute and nostalgic, I just want to keep looking at it.

My felt panels didn’t fall down for a third time, I found a place for the giant calendar, my peel and stick paper looks just like I wanted it to, I brought plants in and I have hope they will survive… Oh! I finally remembered to bring the little baby stuffed cougar to school!

Soon I will meet my second-graders and their families, and I will figure out which nicknames are the right ones! Soon I will find a way to hang the macrame picture hanger things I got so that I can clip student work to it.

Soon I will print out schedule cards that actually fit in my schedule pocket chart, and dates to hang on my magnetic curtain rod.

Soon I will figure out all the systems.

Speaking of systems, soon I will figure out what to do with that one space between my desk and the shelf where things are shoved, and soon I will find a paper organizer that works for me.

Soon. I will find a way to focus on the heart of what I will be teaching, and also soon I will learn how to send emails to families, and maybe even how to take attendance.

Soon, I will read aloud books and write with kids, and soon we will figure out the ways to talk about math.

Soon it will be the first day of school.

Yikes. There so much to do.

There really is. And you can do hard things.