And we’re off

Mila started second grade this week, just two days after her seventh birthday. I spent most of Sunday cleaning and cleaning out in the hopes that if we started the new school year with the house (somewhat) in order it would set a good precedent (intention?) for the whole year. (Worth a shot, right?)

On Monday — shockingly — everyone made it up in time and we had a nice, peaceful morning getting ready. On the way to the car I snapped a quick first day of school pic, ready for the obligatory IG/FB post. I moved the toys out of the way, aware that all my photographer friends would pounce on any badly placed props/unconsidered set dressing just like they did with this basketball and this banana.

After we hugged our school friends, mourned summer’s quick passing and lamented such an early start to the school year, found Mila’s class, gave her a good luck kiss and then walked seven miles back to our car, I went to post the photo with a witty caption like, “Let’s do this, second grade,” (or something much better — I’m sure I could’ve gotten there), ready to let the “likes” roll in like waves on the beach.

Then I noticed the perfectly placed bright yellow bag of dog shit in the background, casually dropped right by the front steps.

So yeah, we’re off to another great start.

This post originally appeared on flappingbrickwings.tumblr.com.