Well, today was the day. It was finally the long-awaited “First Day of School.”

This day usually conjures mixed feelings for me because on one hand I’m so excited and relieved for the Cubs to be finally out of the house, (Yahoo!). But then I pause and get a little misty-eyed because it also signifies the end of summer and brings a sentimental finality to all of our excellent adventures on the road.  It gently reminds me that my girls are growing up, and with one daughter going into high school, I realize that they’re inching ever-so-closer to graduation Ddy - and then they really will be out of the house (Boo-Hoo!).

Last night was filled with anticipation of what today would bring.  The girls were so excited they could hardly sleep.  And I admit it. I was a little excited too.  You see, I’m trying out a new system to help make our mornings a little more mellow and our school-day scramble more serene.  That’s why for me,  August is the new January.  Each First Day of School is like another New Year’s Day.  It’s a fresh new start that beckons for resolutions.

While on our road trip this summer, I vowed that this school year would be different.  I resolved that we would try harder not to make mornings so crazed by rushing around like a NASCAR pit crew.  So I’m adopting a new family rhythm of getting ready for school with less stress and  minimal chaos.  Hopefully, we can now load up the minivan school-bound with my righteous mind intact while preserving my “indoor voice” at all cost.

Here are two quick tips I’d like to share that just might help me get my Back-to-School groove back.

 The Launch Pad

I read a good article in Organized Home by Cynthia Ewer, author of Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Organized, about taming morning madness with a brilliant idea that she called a “Launch Pad.”  It’s simply a dedicated space for each family member.

Following her advice, I set up a location to contain all of the “out-the-door” essentials of life for each of my girls on the dining room table.  You can set up your own too just by clearing a shelf in a bookcase and designating the space as your  family’s launch pad.

I’m using it for lunch boxes, homework, school projects and permission slips, etc.  And for the “big kids” in our family, it can be a place to rest the car keys, dry cleaning receipts or my Lean Cuisine.

The Chore Points Plus List

I’m a lifetime Weight Watchers member and one of the best parts of the program is their value points system.  Essentially, each food is assigned a point value and it helps you keep track of what you’re eating, makes you accountable and lets you measure results.

Using that model I came up with a clever Chore List that assigns a point value to a certain task like laying out all school clothes before you go to bed, setting your alarm, charging your phone and your school computer, organizing all completed homework, or making your lunch in advance.  It also tracks points for behavior too like doing a good deed, helping others or completing household chores without being reminded to do so.

At the end of the week, we tally the points up and the Cubs can use them for special privileges like hanging out at the mall with friends, hosting a sleepover or getting a little extra screen time on their favorite electronic device.

Now that I’m armed with a few new tools in my arsenal, I hope that we have a smoother transition back into the school routine.  So far on Day One it seemed to work.   The girls were up and at ‘em this morning and we even had time to make a run to Starbucks to meet up with friends before the school day began.

In line with tradition, I was out with my camera taking photos of the Cubs on their First Day of School just like I did when they were toddlers.  Of course, they were mortified to have their mom vigorously waving goodbye and snapping photos just like the mother in the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid (“Remember to make good choices”).   It might have caused some momentary tween  angst, but you know – I just didn’t care.  These are Mom Memories.  

Thanks to my new little organizational system, my morning was just a little mellower and I could stand there in the parking lot in full appreciation of this surreal moment in time as they both confidently strolled away into the bustling crowd of chattering students.

This was the moment when my youngest started her last year in middle school, while simultaneously it was the time when my eldest’s first day of high school began.

As I leaned up against the minivan and sighed while they said their goodbyes, it was as if they turned and walked away in slow motion. Backpacks swinging. Uniform skirts swaying.  Laughing and talking all the way to the school door.

“Yahoo”  - they’re growing up to become incredible young women.  “Boo-Hoo” - these moments are just going by way too fast.

 Yahoo. Boo-Hoo. Which one are you this school year?

Carla Meadows is a North Texas Family Travel Blogger who writes about building intentional family moments through the wonders of travel around town and across the U.S. on her blog www.MommysMinivanMonologues.com. Email mommysminivan@gmail.com Follow @MommysMinivan.