I wanted a few more days off, despite the two week break. Grumbled at the alarm clock and shivered despite my long johns as I warmed up the car. Instead of feeling grateful that I'd had the time for breakfast with my family and dancing to bluegrass with my best friend, movies and shopping and playing cards with my sister, and luxurious bubble baths and brand new books, I resented that it was over. Back to real life, and my regular routine. 

I ate my trail mix bar in the car, sipped coffee from my to-go cup and navigated the icy parking lot. My mood followed me inside, despite the warm greetings from colleagues and the smiles on the kids' faces as they arrived. I huddled on the radiator as I helped unspool their scarves and take off their boots, stuffed hats into sleeves and mittens into pockets. After reminding the fourteenth kid to leave his boots on the rug in the hall and hang up his coat, I sighed. The kid looked me in the eye, and surprised me with his comment, "I know," he said, (this five year old in a dinosaur shirt.) "Sometimes I feel like that, too. Nothing to do." 

I guess we all feel bored with our lives sometimes, but if we're lucky we find something to smile about, amid the most mundane routines.  I smiled a little brighter at the fifteenth kid, and the sixteenth, and the seventeenth.

I guess I'm ready to be back at school, after all.