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

[Kelly]

Slogging through Target's
aisles on tax free weekend
I must be insane

**********

Still in my bed at
Six forty-five; bus rolls by
I love homeschooling

**********

My sweet drug of choice
the aroma of pencils
crisp sheets of looseleaf

[Jackie Sue]

Just one baby left
Mom is loving this sweet time
Too soon she'll go too

[Jackie Sue]

Precious days spent with her
Now she runs to school in red
Her world is growing

[Jackie Sue]

One more semester
One more huge college payment
Oh, bless-ed relief.

[carol]

Tall as an adult
A little boy yesterday
He walks to high school

[Jackie Sue]

Back to school is fun
Finishing college just sucks
Now I'm a grown up.

Can you tell I have kids at all ends of the spectrum? :)

[sharon]

A lump in my throat
My baby is a senior
Our last "back to school"

[Pat]

Love our little school
Great teachers, friends and bible
Makes us better kids.

[Traci Best]

School at home is hard
Explaining Math makes Mommy's
brain need more coffee.

[Amy V.]

Watching children grow
Wonderful and bittersweet
How they give me joy

[Ann G]

That Kid startin' school
That Other Kid startin' too
Both sides of school scene!

Dual Credit College
and Pre-K for my babies,
time sure flies for me!

That Kid almost done
That Other Kid just startin'
Oh where does time go??

[scarboroughmomma]

My little boy walks
through the door into anew
Can my heart follow?

[Erin]

Back to school is here
school supplies new clothes and shoes
homework help is here

[Amy V.]

Watching children grow
Wonderful and bittersweet
How they give me joy

************

He is such a man
Yet needs me for homework help
Still his mama's boy

[Pat]

Miss the days of old
traipsing through the snow to school
fearless and happy.

[Jody]

She is gone again
make myself remember that
she will be home soon

[Jessica]

Crayons, backpacks, books
Everything is new again
These are the days

[scarboroughmomma]

It is just pre-school
But saw Daddy tear up at
Orientation.

A sweet moment!

[Aggie Mom]

Waiting for the bus,
Holding new school supply stash
When did he grow up?

First day of high school
How will I fit in this place?
Chance for a new start…

[Karen Pullin]

My boys are always
with me. Help! Need a break, but
wouldn't change a thing.

(except maybe an attitude! Homeschooling ROCKS---most days!)

[La]

My little boy
about to turn 4
I know this day will soon come

[beth]

back to school for me
writing my dissertation
never ending school

[Jody]

Fresh pencil shavings
PBJ and pretzel sticks
Memories to make

[Rebecca]

Crayons

New sharp colorful
Awaiting youth creativity
Welcome new school year

[Valerie]

Looking up Haiku
I should not have passed fourth grade
Pray for our Homeschool

[Heart Gone Walking]

School bus disappears
Whispers, "She's not mine but Yours"
3 o'clock, come quick!

[Donna]

First day jitters list:
Lunch? Check. School bag? Check. Kid? Check.
Car keys? Check. Oh, God...

[Tree Climbing Adventures]

new school supply bliss
folders pencils scissors glue
getting my geek on

[Aileen]

I didn't know we could do multiple entries! I've been working on this one all day!

Teachers are assigned
No more popsicles at 3
Back-packs by the door

[Beth]

Elementary
Middle School, and now Highschool
where did the time go?

[Kelly]

School again so soon
Why oh why can't it be June
Homeschool mom you see

Homeschool kids don't leave
when back to school time arrives
crazy times fun times

Clutter abides here
Books papers pens everywhere
Crazy we must be

I'm honored to be
the teacher of six kidlets
homeschoolers are we

[Anna]

thick pencils sharpened
new bindings to be broken
best time of the year

*****
our school is at home
we still sleep in and play games
just as exciting!

*****
vacation is done
postcards and souvenirs saved
school is here again

[KO]

He's a "big boy" now
First day in kindergarten
How will mommy cope?

[Faerylandmom]

I just realized I counted my syllables wrong in my entry...so...if it's ok, I'm posting a correction...if not, I understand. I just don't want to look sillier than I already do! :-)

Kindergarten at Home:

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

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

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

[Becky]

Two kids in Preschool.
Every day bus schedules changing
Mom's heart can't take either.

[Sami A]

***The Tattler***
Frankie Will Not Share!
Kate and Sarah Budged in Line!
Jimmys Eating Paste!

***Working Mom's Dilema***
Oh, Hectic Mornings!
NO! She Missed the Bus. AGAIN!
Late to Work for Mom!

[Erica]

Haiku, Haiku
It's the poem you jive.
Just remember the syllables
five-seven-five!

I'm never going to get that little ditty out of my head thanks to my Jr High English teacher.

Okay, here's my haiku:

Books, pens, erasers
Longing to buy school supplies
Three more years to go!

[Julie at Elisharose]

Kitchen table calls.
Come back to learning with me.
Yes, your bear can come.

[Memarie Lane]

Is it the first day?
Really is there such a thing?
All of life is School.

[Lynnet]

Baby kisses, gone,
Teen is driving, “later Mom”
House quiet, tears flow.

[Pat]

The joys of childhood
school is one of the many
making memories

[Elizabeth]

It's that time of year-
Backpacks, books, binders...
Where did Summer go?

[Lisa]

Stay at home mom now,
so big going on their own
and me? home alone :)

[Reformed Grits]

How can it be time?
School days can't be here to stay--
Summer just started!

[Marla Taviano]

Wasn't it last week
you came out pink and squalling?
How did this happen?

[Amy]

I'll always give thanks
I'm no longer a teacher
But get to be Mom

My son's not in school yet, but after the years I spent as a public school teacher, I'm already planning to make sure that my son's teachers know that I appreciate them!

[Cheryl]

He's almost seven
But still my sweet baby boy
O Lord protect him!

[betsy]

Spreading wings to fly
Amid parents' tears and smiles
From the nest they go

[sara burrell]

Hugs? Kisses? (One more!)
Emotions overflowing
Bright eyed offspring leave

[Katherine]

He starts school today
Though not for the first time but
Still, it tugs my heart.

My sweet boy, have fun!
Open your mind! Learn! Grow!
Miss him like crazy.

So, my 10-month-old started back to Mother's Day Out this morning. Not officially "school," but still . . . Can't imagine kindergarten in a few years! And, hubs starts back to grad school tomorrow. Lots of new starts for our family this week.

[Amy]

Days creep. Years speed past.
Your heart departs on a bus
Don't blink. Time flies fast.

[Patrice]

So hard to let him go
don't let him see you cry
He's almost a man now
its time to see him fly

My son entered 10th grade / almost 6' tall but still a charmer to me

[mebw]

All summer, four kids.
No bittersweet here.
Mama needs a break.

[Kate]

Back to school so soon?
Should be after Labor Day.
It's only August!

My haiku only works if "school" is one syllable. Here in Alabama, many would make it two: Sku-uhl.

[alaskalark]

Five new boys in class
Won't know what hit them today
When tough girl walks in

You run in to class
Without a glance to your mom
Who loves you so much

Little man, shy guy
I'll let go next week Tuesday
I will watch you fly

[Johanna]

School starts tomorrow
I’m nervous and jittery
GULP – I’m the teacher!

[Kristen M.]

Reversing the role -
"Mommy, what can I do?" is
"What will mommy do?"

[Sara Bowyer]

oldest college bound
youngest is high school bound..yikes!
empty nest is SOON!

[Jenni D.]

All three in school now
One week of quiet until
Caboose baby due!

[Monica]

As there goes my boy
'tis bittersweet to watch him
but his joy is mine

[arbee]

Freshman in high school...
Almost a grown up, oh my!
Where did the time go?

[Christine @ Live to Learn]

Waiting, Listening
For the first school bell to ring
Oh wait, we don't need a bell!

We are a homeschooling family that believes that true learning happens all the time, not at the sound of a bell. We learn in the rain, under the stars, by gazing up at the belly of a shark and we learn by living our days running after Jesus.
Christine @ Live to Learn

[Stacey]

Complaining lately
My kids need school and structure
Didn't mean this week.

[Emily Harsh]

Sisters fight daily
Off to school and time apart
Now they play nicely

[Happy Mommy]

Summer flew by fast
Home school is going to be a blast
Fun is still to come

[Lora Lynn]

Love the air in fall.
Smell crisp leaves and school supplies
Must not sniff the glue.

[mebw]

Oops. Lost brain power. Attempt #2:

Four kids, all summer.
No bittersweet here, thank you.
Mama needs a break.

[Stacy]

Nervous mothers cry
Their babies all grown up now
Off to see the world

Since this is my first Haiku, please be kind. Neat idea. I feel like I learned something new at life "school" today!

[Lorie]

waking up early
carpool and homework and tests
can't wait for Friday

[Marie-Claire]

Wrote about your blog
Don't put me in the contest
Just letting you know.

[Mary B]

my life is a changing
the kids life is a re-arranging
but it is all good

[Joni]

I see her learning
Shapes and songs and sharing too
sandbox leaves a mess

[Honey Smith]

bright shiny lunchbox
the smell of sharpened pencils
loud, nervous laughter

[Marie Gross]

Book club, writing group
Keep learning, ever growing
Back to school for me

[Rachel @ badgersontheloose]

I'm a Willow when
Summer's over. Holding on,
the last to let go.

Lovely contest!! Is it really the end of summer?

William Carlos Williams' fans will hear the allusion to his poem. It's one of my favorites!

[Cheri]

Homeschooling is fun
I tell myself yet again
Eight sweet years at home.

Yeppers, we're starting our 8th year of homeschool a week from tomorrow. The first two lines are for me. Homeschooling can be a chore. The third line is for my kids. They love to be homeschooled and while it can be a drag for me at times, I truly cherish our time together. It has been a "grand experiment" that has paid off in every way - relationally, educationally and spiritually. While at times I'm a bit perturbed with it - I'm always thankful. So remind me of that the next time I post a rant-o-blog about my kids not listening, giving me attitude, not getting their work done, etc :-)

[mebw]

Four kids. Eight sneakers.
Panic mornings 'bout to begin.
Calgon, take me away!

[Brenda]

Four go out the door
I wonder where the years went
I smile through tears

That is my attempt at a haiku...a least I can say I tried. I can't believe the summer is over - I didn't want school to start. Thanks for reading.

[Ashlee]

Tried to take picture
of my little boys first day
Teachers butt in way!

[Brenda]

Four go out the door
I wonder where the years went
I smile through tears

[k&c's mom]

Run on new sneakers
Breathe the crayons, sharp pencils
Bell heralds: first grade.

[AprilMay]

My teenagers leave
I am sad to see them go
Who will babysit?!

[Karen Pullin]

Boys always with me.
Sometimes I need a break. But,
wouldn't change a thing.

(except maybe an attitude every now and then!) Sorry if this posts twice. I posted it earlier, but now it's gone. So here goes!

[k&c's mom]

One, two, three, four gone.
Children grown; graduates all.
No more new crayons.

[kristel in amarillo]

Me-4th grade teacher
Has to read the rules again
To write a haiku

[k&c's mom]

Backpacks, lunch boxes,
Elmer's, markers, crayons...check!
Pack up for first day!

[k&c's mom]

Teacher waits, bell sounds.
Students run in. Door swings in
on a fresh new year.

[AprilMay]

Time to get up now!
Nobody moves in their beds.
Already faking.

[Nana]

Eager, rejoicing!
Then tears. Do I have to think?
Home school, here we come!

[Karen]

Books piled by the door
Our bittersweet excitement
Summer is over

[Angie]

Baby brother prays
Mommy wipes away a tear
Daddy holds you close

Your journey begins
Tomorrow we open hands
Our arrow will fly

You head for your bed
Then turn to sign "I love you"
When did you grow up?

Curiosity and
Wonder will lead your footsteps
So much awaits

I may have posted twice... I can't remember if I sent this earlier today. Sorry. :)

[Kay]

This was the first day
wondering hoping learning
growing up too fast

[The Diaper Diaries]

Where Does The Time Go
I Have A Kindergartner
Does This Mean I'm Old?

[Christa @ No End in Site]

Rookie homeschool mom
Students don't like new teacher?
"No soup [lunch] for you!"