Guest post written by my buddy Aldo Mays

Once all the gifts are opened and the treats eaten, there is one major hurdle left to the holiday season, and that is getting the kids ready to go back to school after the long break.

Our kids know school is approaching when the Christmas tree comes down and the holiday decorations have been hauled back out to storage. This is their sign to start hunting for the back pack that was stuffed under the bed and hand over the notes from school that were supposed to be viewed back in December. Right after New Years we start moving bed time back to the normal school night time, to make sure the kids are used to going to bed and getting up earlier and gathering the hats, mittens, and snow pants that will be required for them to play outside at recess. This is the most challenging part as there are too many new toys to play with to go to sleep and all of the winter gear has mysteriously disappeared. Everyone has to be reminded to turn off all the lights, set the All Home Security home security alarm and lock the door on the way out and to come straight home after school.

We love having the kids home for the holidays, but once quiet has returned to our house, all seems right with the world.