Well another summer has come to an end and the school year has begun. Early evenings to bed and even earlier mornings for sleepy headed children who only a few days ago thought homework perhaps meant making sure their bedrooms were straightened. Parents normally enjoy the start of school, whether they work or stay at home, because it provides structure, sports and an ease of schedule. I doubt any of them would admit to it but I have a feeling children actually enjoy being in school, too.The start of school is a lonely time for the siblings not old enough to attend. It is sad when everyone leaves for the day and the buddies they had fun with, got into mischief, with or even fought with are gone and the only person there to do things with is a mom, dad or baby-sitter. Something tells me there are not that many baby-sitters willing to put Captain Crunch on the floor and pounce all over it to see if it really is the Captain of Crunch! Mom's are great but if you mention water balloon fights they go into their "but water makes my hair frizzy" speech or "did you know a dog can choke on the balloon pieces?" warning...just takes all the fun out of things.I thought preschool was a good idea when Shawn was two. Oh my gosh, what a disaster. We would drive up to the school and the teachers would come out to the sidewalks to get the kids. Shawn would stand there, lower lip trembling, not crying, and say...."I will try to have fun, Ninny. I will try to have a nice day." I would have felt less guilty if Shawn would have cried and thrown a tantrum! It is easy to get irritated with a screaming child but nearly impossible to be upset with a trembling lipped reasoning one. Preschool lasted two weeks because I could not take another minute of sad Shawn. I had all the "me time" I could stand and felt like the most selfish person on earth! I didn't care two hoots that I had a daughter and four sons, was only twenty-three years old and had more to do than time to do it. I didn't care if I ended up going insane; I would have my little Shawn right there with me!I am so glad I made the decision to take him out of preschool because not too long after we took him out of school, I found out about my first cancer and that Shawn would be my only baby. Ya think maybe he wasn't alone on that sidewalk in his pitiful cuteness? Were there other forces at work?I was thinking it sure would be nice if they would invent public school for pets. I really loved this time of year when my kids were young and I just know I would love it again if I could send Patches and Peepers to school for a few hours. They would probably act like Shawn did and make me feel guilty. Patches would probably steal my cell phone and dial 911 to report abuse. I have a feeling Peepers would end up in an alternative school, or jail; he would be lashing out at everyone and when they asked to see his lab technician certification papers for drawing blood, he wouldn't have any!Couldn't you guys just imagine neurotic Patches trying to adhere to anyone setting rules and guidelines other than the ones he dictates? Forget him using a cell phone, it would be the school calling me about both of my crazy pets. It would be like the time Harold's youngest son came home with a note in Kindergarten asking that I never send him back to school. You think I am kidding? Good thing I like talking and can be convincing because back then Kindergarten was not mandatory. I love you all with all my heart and remember to heed those school zones, listen for the kids, ask them how their day went; and if you make sure they do their homework you will make sure their future works.