A Back-To-School Haiku Contest, With Smashingly Good Prizes

I feel like celebrating today.  I'm getting back in my bloggy groove after a long break, we're settling into our school routine, and this week is my birthday!  I'll be turning 30.  Again.  For only the 7th time.

Anyway, in honor of all these occasions, I believe it's time for another haiku contest.  I've held these before (if you're new here, you can see older examples here and here).  Here's how it works:

::  Write a haiku commemorating the whole back-to-school thing.  This contest is open to anyone, whether you have kids going back to school or not.  You don't have to have a blog of your own to participate.  (Here are instructions for writing a haiku, but if you click there, I'm totally telling your 4th grade teacher that you weren't paying attention.)

:: Leave your haiku in my comments section, below. 

:: I'll leave the comments section open until 8 pm CST TONIGHT (Monday the 25th).

:: First thing tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, I'll post the five finalists.  Then YOU all will vote for the next couple of days.  I'll announce the winner Thursday morning.

And just wait until you see the prize package the winning haiku-er (haiku-ist?) wins:

Image Case Key Ring by The Fine Art of Family (retail value $170).  If you're going to spend so much time in the car, you might as well have cute keys, right?  This beautiful heirloom piece is made of sterling silver, and it has a spot for the photo of your favorite little people.  All of The Fine Art of Family's pieces are sentimental and lovely--this necklace is my personal favorite.

Medium Bucket Bag by Kimberlee Faith (retail value $45).  I have one of these--it is adorable and unbelievably sturdy (if it can survive the abuse my backseat doles out, it can survive anything).  Kimberlee lets you choose your own combination of fabrics for a personalized design, so the bag is uniquely yours.

Two BizziMom planners, one for finishing out 2008, and a new one for 2009 (combined retail value $45).  These fold-out planners made of heavy-duty paper will get your family organized this school year!  They have spots for menu planning, to-do lists, appointments, menus, websites and more.

Peace Love Mom tee (retail value $38). You will rock the carpool line in one of these snazzy tees, designed especially for moms (and lots of cute kid designs too).  Check out their newest offerings for fall, including this one (my favorite).  Also, use the code ROCKSINMYDRYER for 10% off your order over $20 (expires 9/20).

Lands' End Cordura StudyHaul Backpack (retail value $34.50).  Its slim profile makes it perfect to fit in lockers, and it's covered with handy pockets for storage.  It was the only backpack given a perfect score for performance by Good Housekeeping.  And Lands' End stuff lasts FOREVER, so you'll probably still be using it years from now.  Give it to the kids, or keep it for yourself (I'll never tell).

Perfume Roll-On from Klean Bath and Body (retail value $11.50).  Just look at all the fun scent choices offered (though if you smell like German chocolate cake, how will you ever get the kids out of the car?)

$10 gift certificate to The Girly Girl Bowtique.  Send your daughter off to school in style with one of these cute (and affordable) creations in her hair.  This one is my favorite!

While you're thinking of your best back-to-school haiku, take a few minutes to click through to sites of these generous sponsors--you'll like what you see.

Now, dazzle me with your best haiku.  Remember, you have until 8 pm CST tonight to come up with one, and you can come back here first thing in the morning to see the finalists.

Comments are now closed.

Comments

[Amanda]

Back to school again
Only one phrase comes to mind
Thank the Lord it's here!

At least that's what I'm sure I will be saying in a few years when mine actually go to school!! And such cute prizes!!!

[Heather @ Desperately Seeking Sanity]

Mornings, I slept in
Nights, I stayed up way too late
Now, six thirty sucks

[pam]

Drive to middle school.
Feeling your heart fly right out
Of your chest; she's gone.

[mombrud]

Moms blowing kisses
kids running with excitement
they grow up so fast

[Shane]

Two ladies sleeping
dreams of the new school outfit
dancing in their head

Mommy is waiting
kids and daddy walk to school
happy quiet house

[Karen {simply a musing blog}]

Summer at an end
Kids in school 5 days a week
More time for blogging!

[Mamacita]

My children's teacher,
not me, is in charge of their
food and their poo. Wow.

It was incredible and heartbreaking that someone besides me would know what they were eating and when they were poo-ing. I didn't think I could bear it!

[Karen]

We are homeschoolers.
Back-to-school? We never left!
All the same to us.

[Tara R]

It is almost here
so close I can almost grasp
alone time for ME

I should feel saddened
is it wrong to count down hours
until freedom is mine

oh the bliss of time
to pee by myself alone
no loud MOMMY cries

my house will remain
spotless and lovely until
the beasts return home

thank you God for school
wonderful teachers to share
the joys of my kids

[Mommy Cracked]

First day of preschool
Uniform shorts on backwards
Your cool points are gone.

[Cathy < Mommy Motivation]

soon will be school time
happily we say goodbye
Close the door will I

[Kim]

My tornado child
Blows into her new school room.
Hope it's fastened down!

[Tanya Moyer]

Hug! Kiss! Off they go.
Yay! Computer time for me.
Wait! Miss them - come back!!

Fun contest ~ great giveaway
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com

[LeeAnn (AKA Frazzmom)]

School, sports, tutoring...
Mom's taxi back in service.
But soon Son can drive!

[Abbie H]

What is back to school?
A puffy dress coupled with
an Aquanet mist!

I don't have kids in school yet, but my mother always made me where some awful dress on the first day of school. And of course, my hair-do wasn't complete without saturating it with Aquanet. I still think of my school days when I smell that stuff!

[Miriam]

Will he like it much?
He's our stubbornness remade.
Hope they are gentle.

[Tonya]

the school year begins
summer went by much too fast
is it Christmas yet?

[Megan]

UPS is here
Another box already?
Ma’am, do you homeschool?

[Tara]

No more late night fun
Ring, ring goes the alarm clock
Splash cold water now!

[Kal]

Awakened from sleep
Little girl too excited
Peed in her jammies

[Kim]

First year wearing bra
Will they notice the white strap?
She grew up too fast

[Steph.]

School bus a-boarding,
Mothers give a wave and sigh,
Sanity returns

Welcome to school morn
Kids drag their backpacks and sigh
Thank God for the bus

Oh the homework stinks
Backpacks are so heavy too
But mom needs a break

[Faerylandmom]

Kindergarten at Home:

We start school next week!
It's Mom's debut as Teacher,
her heart a-flutter.

Reading, writing, and math.
Such daunting mountains to climb
for baby boy grown.

We start school next week!
Anticipation looms
for lessons to come.

[Steph.]

He's Mr. Laid Back
Desk papers under on floor
Mind stays in summer

Toothpaste spot on shirt
Maple syrup drip on pants
What? The bus is here!

He steps on the bus
Yellow vessel sails away
Mom, get to the gym!

[Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates]

Back to friends in desks
Bright-eyed and loving learning
Blessed with great teachers

[Kristen]

Pink trapper keeper
teeth marks in all my pencils
dog ate my homework

[Troye]

Kindergarten Rocks
quiet! I'm too excited
but miss him too much

I have to tell you that I feel a little guilty about how much I am enjoying my quiet days and how clean my house stays until 3pm. Oh, the bliss!

[Ruthie]

Sweet boy in first grade...
Today you will ride the big
yellow bus to school.

I'm also a kindergarten teacher, so I'm not quite as excited as all the other stay-at-home-moms out there!! Today is my first day back, and the kids will start on Thursday. I'm cryin' the blues!!

[Robin ~ PENSIEVE]

School supply shopping
Cuteness, please or Disney-themed
Kids happy, Mom broke!

Everything's so stinkin' cute now, I even wanna go back to school just to buy the FUN binders & notebooks! My husband was FLOORED this year when he saw how much we spent on supplies for three kids...:/ :).

[Stacey @ Happy Are We]

school versus summer:
more pencils and better shoes,
fresh kind of crazy

[Minnesotamom]

How will I ever
Finish studying in all
the piles of paper

[Mom24]

Essence of my kids
Laughter; in, out, in; all day
even fighting too

Not ready quiet
Too much time for quiet soon
It goes WAY too fast.

They come home to me
Tired, worn out, cranky, needy.
I will comfort,soothe.

I love the summer
Lazy days, Time. Precious time.
That time to just be.

I'll miss them here--home.
I am craving routine though
that I'm ready for.

Be good to them world.
Show them kindness, challenge them.
Let them see your best.

[Allison Walton]

Everything's ready...
Bouquets of sharpened pencils
Signal a fresh start.

[Lori]

First Day Of Preschool!
I'm more excited than she!
Is that wrong?? Bad Mom!

******

Seventies plaid and
Eighties hair. Look back on old
First-day-of-school pics.

******

Why is it that in
all first-day-of-school pictures
we squint in the sun??

******

Oldest goes to school.
Baby gets her "mommy time."
Whew! Guilt averted.

******

Very specific,
She wants dark purple backpack.
Smallest size still big!

******

Hard to find preschool
backpack that fits since she's just
two-and-three-quarters.

******

Poor preschool teacher
Taking all those kids potty
Blowing noses, too.

******

I LOVED school! (I know,
I was a nerd back then, too).
SO geeked for autumn!

******

Starting school next week.
A new adventure. Yay! I
(I mean SHE) can't wait!

[Lori]

The Three Rs are now:
Reading, 'Riting, RELAXING
FOR MOM! Is that wrong?

[Ginger]

Mama waves goodbye
To her brood of growing minds
While bon bons await.

Yes, that's sarcasm you hear. I'm not sure I've ever actually seen a bon bon.

[Jennifer (Et Tu?)]

Why so hard to find
classic markers? Nobody
needs bright neon hues.

...And happy birthday!!

[Louise]

Quiet on the street
Neighbor kids all gone to school
I miss their shrill shrieks

**

Since my little one's not nearly old enough for school yet (I think she'd need to be walking first), the worst part about back-to-school for me is losing the fun sounds of kids playing, arguing, and laughing all up and down the street. It gets so darn QUIET here during the school year!

[janel]

Art class is my fave
paint on all of my new clothes
School rocks my socks off

[Melanie]

The kids are going
At last I can be alone
In the bathroom. Yay!

In truth, I miss my little ones when they are gone. They have such a great time, and I am definitely refreshed when their day is done...we're all looking forward to it!

[Jeni]

The smell of sharpened pencils
The crunch of yellow paint in my teeth
Why do my supplies never stay new?

[Joy Trachsel]

It's 10:00 and the kids are in bed
The backpacks are packed
son yells down "I need crayons for school"

[Heather]

Kindergarten soon
My baby is all grown up
Tears are happy ones

[Kristenkj]

I watch you and sigh
My breath fogs the windowpane
The bus drives away

***

I sharpened pencils
All seventy-two of them
Your teachers will smile

***

No crumbs, no messes
No fingerprints, no fighting
No laughter, either

***

As summer fades fast
And fall beckons you to school
I smile and I cry

***

This summer was great
Daily, I let you sleep late
Now I'll pay dearly

***

Tiny little hands
That I once held so tightly
I must let go now

[Ryann]

It's so exciting!
Toys, paint, desks, riding the bus
Year one is so fun!

[Gabreial/VintageIndie]

We are up early
God's leading the way this time
School will be a breeze

[Mrs Lemon]

Oh, I can't haiku this early in the morning. Happy Birthday Week!

[lifeasamama]

She's too small to go
I get her a few more years
Hold her while I can

[Heather]

New shoes and crayons
Sweet boy waving from the bus
My bittersweet day

My son, Jack, is starting his second year of Early Childhood and not quite yet 4 yrs old. How wonderful it is to have a program like this to prep his mind and body for the future, but how sad it can be when you REALLY think about the time stolen from a mommy and toddler and given to a public school. All part of cerebral palsy that we still can't exactly get used to.

[Heather]

New shoes and crayons
Sweet boy waving from the bus
My bittersweet day

My son, Jack, is starting his second year of Early Childhood and not quite yet 4 yrs old. How wonderful it is to have a program like this to prep his mind and body for the future, but how sad it can be when you REALLY think about the time stolen from a mommy and toddler and given to a public school. All part of cerebral palsy that we still can't exactly get used to.

[Gretchen]

First day of school ends
Rush to meet her at the stop
Bus blows past our house

[Jennifer R.]

No more summer fun.
Math, science, and history
For the next nine months.

A new year of school:
Another year of progress
Toward independence.

According to the dictionary, toward can be pronounced either as 1 syllable or 2. I'm obviously going for the 1 syllable version here. :)

[Heidi]

Hurry bus is here
Grab your stuff I Love You Bye
Wonderful sweet peace

[Jeni from Kansas]

one day they will wake
emerged a kid no longer
oh to rewind time

back to days of free
hearts and pure naiveity
oh love memories

swiftness is the shift
from sweet childhood to the now
keep moving forward

shoulder peered over
to see what is forgotten
memories flood back

[Jeni from Kansas]

one day they will wake
emerged a kid no longer
oh to rewind time

back to days of free
hearts and pure naiveity
oh love memories

swiftness is the shift
from sweet childhood to the now
keep moving forward

shoulder peered over
to see what is forgotten
memories flood back

[Robin M.]

It's that time again
Such busy hectic mornings
It is time for school

[Jeni from Kansas]

My apologies! I accidentally posted twice!

[Cindy]

Back to school again!
See my happy dance on the
Wet grass! Oops I fell!

The bus pulls away
The kids are laughing at me
I don’t care! I’m free!!

[Tracye]

This day took so long.
It couldn't come fast enough.
It's here. She's gone. Peace.

Eyes hot with my tears,
Thinking about her return.
Needing one more hug.

When did this happen?
She shouldn’t be in school, yet.
They grow up too fast.

The school bell rings-yay!
Coming home so excited!
Has to tell me all.

Chocolate chip cookies
Still warm from the oven--yum.
The smell. Oh! The smell.

Melting in our mouths
While we talk about her day.
There’s nothing better.

[Shelley]

They are reminded,
Do not take it for granted,
Time goes by so fast

[Sarah at themommylogues]

She's leaving for school,
First time all day every day,
So happy, so sad.

[Steph]

Little pink backpack
Ready for new adventures
That’s my baby girl

[litabug]

Neighbor moms party,
relax, chat all day. Not me.
Mine are under three.

:)

[We are THAT family]

Homework-eating dog
Waiting for the bus to stop,
It's that time again.

Have a great birthday week-awesome prizes!

[fern]

Now she's in high school
More work, classes, and stress, sigh
How did we get here?

[Cathy]

Each year marks the time.
Eighth, sixth and third grade this year.
Where'd my babies go?

[Melanie D]

Back to a routine,
Back to "standard school attire",
First and third are fun!

[A&EMom]

First day of Preschool
And stillness in Circle Time.
I can't imagine.

Calls on the first day
From the Principal's Office
Look really bad, right?

[Laura]

Don't let it come yet
I'm not ready for it now
She's only one year

[World's Greatest Mommy]

Smell of new crayons
Mixes with muffins and fears
Another first day.

(No matter how many first days they have, they are mostly all the same for my kids. The chocolate muffins helped. :)

[Shawna]

I'm too old for this
Sitting in a student desk
Butt hanging off chair

I just started going to a University in the area and my 30 year old behind is too big for the seats. Seriously, at the university level why are there middle school sized desks? Anyway, cute cute contest idea. Happy Birthday.

[Olivia]

Hold close this moment
Stretch it out a thousand years
His journey begins

[litabug]

Better keep quiet
'bout Simon and Garfunkel.
Cool kids like New Kids.

[Linda]

The Lord has blessed us with rain
No rain all summer
The Lord cleared away the dust
First day of school today

[Karen]

Where are my babies
I am both happy and sad
To reach this milestone

Now two are in school
One is home comforting me
For one final year

When next year arrives
How on earth will I survive
Emotional years

***I now have one in Pre-K, one in Kindergarten, and the youngest will start next year. It is so exciting for them, and sad to see their childhood slipping away:( However, my logistical nightmare of them starting/stopping school at the same time on opposite sides of town that is occurring this year and next, could make one crazy, LOL;)***

[Jenni]

JUST YOU AND ME

Two at school. You're here.
Choices are endless, my girl.
I love to love you.

[Emily]

Summer is over
My precious kids stay with me
Praise God for homeschooling

[jean]

daughters are growing
do they still need their mother?
my heartstrings say yes

[Kris]

Back to school today
Fresh starts and Lots of good fun
Go forth and learn much

[Summer]

School has now begun
Mom is thrilled to be alone
More time for blogging

[Erin D. in SC]

say yes and no ma'am.
play nice with the other kids.
and don't get pink eye.

[Dawn]

YES!I made it through your summer fun,
now what do I do with you gone?!
Signed~ your missing mom.

[olivia]

hold close this moment
stretch it out a thousand years
his journey begins

[Melissa]

My babies have left
Get my ass on the treadmill
Time to find myself

[olivia]

ooops! sorry, I posted twice!

[Emily]

I look fat in my
teacher clothes. Kids tell me so.
They go home with moms!

[Kelly]

august came too soon
summer days lots of playing
school starts in the morn

[Heather BT]

Bookbag way too big
Forty five minutes on bus
Pray his pants stay dry.

Acer is starting Early Childhood this year, in a class with a dozen other Visually Impaired kids. That doesn't bother me as much as knowing he sits backwards on the toilet and hoping he remembers to get his pants totally out of the way!
Heather BT

[Jenny]

Jump up at seven
in a rush to get ready
off to school we go

[Erin]

School's back in session
happy moms and dads today
not so happy kids.

[Gail]

Off they are to school
The house is now so quiet
But they do come back

[Gail]

Off they are to school
The house is now so quiet
But they do come back

[Les]

This is fun!!!

Time to go make friends
Why does summer have to end?
Cover my face, snooze

New clothes and hair do
Summer’s over, time to learn
Back to school again

Wash, feed, clothe, school bus
Off to school! Mom needs a break!
Finally I’m free

[Nikki]

Not yet time for me
Watching from the back window
Wish I was older

My 3-year old, the oldest, was watching mournfully from our back window this morning at the kids lining up to enter the elementary school behind our house. Not that he'll be going to that school next year (we're trying to figure out the whole home/private/public school dilemma), but he was sad just the same. :)

[Greta]

Beep-beep, snooze, beep-beep
Shoot! The schoolbus just drove by
Gone, come back, breakfast

[Rosie : )]

Hectic morning rush
Learn, play, run, jump, make new friends,
Home again, rinse repeat.

[Pamela]

Morning frenzy starts
Clothes clean? Forms signed? Milk or juice?
Kiss, hug...HAPPY DANCE!

[Azul]

Walk away with tears
And leave my Special Child
Lord keep him this day

Chico's starting a new program geared toward Autistic children this morning.

I am so nervous I can hardly breathe.

[Tina]

Thank goodness it's school
Time away from all of the kids
Keeps my sanity

[Cheryl]

Can it really be
The last three kids in high school
Where did the time go