Reader here, and well, summer vacation is over.

Students in Saskatchewan headed back to school today, while some Manitoba kids will be back in class tomorrow, with the rest heading back later in the week.

It’s always such a bittersweet thing to bid farewell to summer. No bedtimes or alarm clocks, endless days to hang out with your friends, camping trips, lake days… it seems like the fun will ever end. Until it does.

I guess we have to go back to school, so we have vacations to look forward to.

And it is nice to go back to school in a lot of ways, especially if you’re heading into Kindergarten, and you’re a first-timer!

You get to load up all of your new gear into your book bag, jump onto the school bus for the first time, and head off to school, and fill up your desk.

You can catch up with your pals (if you haven’t been hanging out all summer already), and see what they’ve been up to.

Sometimes, there’s the excitement of a new kid moving to town, and you get to make a new friend!

You get to show off your new clothes (and test out your theory that your new runners will make you run even faster!)

And you get to see your new classroom, and meet your new teacher. Chances are, if you’re from a small town like me, you already know your teachers anyway!

So, pack your bags, take a deep breath, and let’s ease into the first day of school! The start of a new journey is here, and it’s all about discovering new paths, meeting new friends, and savoring every moment. No rush, no stress—just embracing the adventure one step at a time. From classrooms that hold secrets waiting to be uncovered, to hallways echoing with the promise of new stories, this year is a laid-back exploration of growth and wonder.

Let’s take it slow, enjoy the ride, and see where this new chapter leads us.