The first day of school begins for child # 1 in about an hour and for the youngest, two hours. We are actually semi-organized this year. Yesterday, we went to purchase all the school supplies and the kids cleaned out their backpacks–from last year!–and reloaded them with new stuff. The three of us all thought about things that would make their lives easier–new hair brushes and toothbrushes, snacks, good cereal–and we went to get it. We walked over to the local water ice place for a break later in the afternoon. Geeky Boy and I got the same size and flavor (cherry).

While we were there, we had some interesting conversations about money. Geeky Boy asked me if I won the lottery, say $33 million, what would I do. I started talking about how I’d buy a new house and car, but I’d save a good chunk of it and live off the interest.

Then Geeky Boy told me what he’d do and then I said, “Wait a minute. About half that is going to go to taxes.”

He stopped cold. “What?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what the exact amount would be, but I’ve always heard it’s about 1/2 of prize money. We pay about 1/3 of our income in taxes.”

“What? What for?”

“For the government. Somebody’s gotta pay for Iraq.”

“Can’t they make their own money?”

I laughed. “How? We are their only source of income.”

I explained about the Revolution and taxation without representation and where all of our tax money goes. (If you want to know, here’s a good chart.) He was still pretty flabbergasted. Basically, he figured that the government prints the money, so that’s how they should get their money, just print it up when they need it and leave the rest of us alone. I suggested he might read America, the Book. Mr. Geeky thinks he’s not old enough. I think, so there’s some naked Supreme Court Justices, big deal.

On the way home, Geeky Boy suggested I home school him. But then Geeky Girl said, “No way, cause you’re proof that moms don’t have to stay at home.” She was very defiant about this for some reason. It was pretty funny. I told Geeky Boy that since I’m working a flexible schedule, I’d be happy to provide some added instruction, but that home schooling did not appeal to me.

I think it’s going to be a good year. The hardest part for me about dealing with the kids’ education is keeping up with all the stuff they send home. I’m going to try to corral that this year and not be overwhelmed by it. I’m also going to try to help Geeky Boy create some good habits this year.