School starts in less than 48 hours, so today and tomorrow will be filled with pencils, folders, my label-making machine, glue sticks, a non-bendable ruler, and many other exciting things.

Personally, I love this time of year. The feel of a brand-new notebook, cracking open a package of pencil-top erasers, folders without stains or creases…ah, they are beautiful things. Not to mention the fact that I get to print out a myriad of little labels that say “C.” on them, and then stick them on all the magnificent school-enhancing items.

C., however, is slightly less than pleased with the focus of this week.

We made a trip to Barnes & Noble this morning, in an attempt to spend some gift cards I had break up the supply-gathering-and-labeling. But being the multi-tasker that I am, I brought along flashcards for C. to go over in the car.

The joy, it was abundant. That is, as long as loud sighs, grunts of exasperation, and monotone responses signify great joy.

I tried to explain to him how easy he’s had it. After all, I’ve gotten the flashcards out a grand total of zero times this summer, before today. And we watched school buses taking happy little children to their respective schools this morning. C. has another day and a half before he must board the bus of doom glee and he hasn’t had to practice his math facts much at all up until now.

My words of encouragement do not impress him.

I know that once he sees his friends, he’ll be at least a tiny bit happy to be back in school. Not that he’ll admit it to me, mind you. But the prospect of third grade won’t seem quite as miserable. In the meantime, I plan to intersperse a few fun things amidst the school supplies and subtraction practice: a trip to Starbucks (coffee for me, chocolate milk for him), a movie night complete with popcorn, maybe even a board game or two.

But for now, I’ve gotta go. The loose leaf paper and fine-tipped markers over on the dining room table are calling my name.