A Mommy Rant

Just skip this post if you want to labor under the incorrect assumption that I have it all together and never lose it. hahahahahaha

For starters, Jeff left for Italy on Sunday afternoon and will not be back until Friday night. 'Nuf said.

And of course there have been a bazillion school activities to attend.

And we're still trying to move.

Today, the carpet cleaner guy was coming at noon. SaraGrace is being tested for learning disabilities and school staff requested that she stay after school for the test. She goes to morning kindergarten, so we needed to make her a lunch and then I would pick her up around 1:30PM.

The carpet guy called and said he was running late and would be there about 12:30. Okay...no biggie.

I sat the kids down for their yummy chicken nugget lunch when the phone rang. It was the school. Something had come up and they were not going to be able to test SaraGrace today. Could I please come and pick her up immediately?

It was 12:05.

The kindergarten bus leaves the school at 12:00. I guess the emergency had come up between 12:00 and 12:05 (she says sarcastically....)

So...could I make it back in time to let the carpet guy in? It would be cutting it close. I told the kids to leave their lunches on the table and get into the car. Jake couldn't find his shoes. I told him to just GO get in the car. (OK...I kind of yelled. Kind of in a stressed-out, I don't have time for this nonsense kind of way. I'm not proud of it.)

It is 90 degrees here today with high humidity. Since the school parking lot is inconveniently located too far from the front door to leave the kids in the car, I had to get all of them out of their carseats to go into the school to get SaraGrace. Urgh. Since Jake had no shoes, I had to carry him. As we exited the car, I noticed Jordan was wearing these...

And here I must deviate from my sad tale of woe to say that there is NO WAY I am letting my kid--especially a boy--go anywhere in socks and sandals. I do have some pride. If it is hot enough to wear flip-flops or sandals, for goodness sakes, do NOT wear socks. It looks absurd. We stopped long enough for him to remove the offending socks.

Needless to say, we were all sweaty by the time we got into the school. I love to sweat. Not.

I herded everyone back out to the car. There was lots of complaining about being hungry and hot. The kids complained a little, too. hee.

Okay...it was 12:20. I could probably make it home before the carpet guy.

Alas, as I pulled up, he was standing in the driveway looking sweaty and annoyed. Sigh... who could blame him? I'm sure he couldn't figure out why I didn't mention that I had to be gone at 12:25 when he called at 11:45 to tell me he was on his way.

SaraGrace helped the kids out of their car seats as I dashed inside to let the carpet guy in the front door.

And then I heard it. It was a wail not unlike the Who's down in Whoville.

"Mooooommmmmmm....Ginger ate our lunch!! Ginger aaaaatttttteeeee our luuuuunnnnch. Our chicken nuggets are gone."

And it was true. To borrow a line from "A Christmas Story..." The heavenly aroma still hung in the house. But it was gone, all gone!

No chicken lunch.

I seriously considered dropping that dog off at the pound. This is not her first petty crime of the week. Grrrr....

So...I got the kids a new lunch and then went for my elixir of happiness....

Ahhhhh....Coke. In a glass bottle. There is just nothing better (except fountain Coke from McDon*lds). I might need two today.

Is it nap time yet?

End of the School Year Activities

It has been a whirlwind around here with end-of-the-school-year activities. Concerts, field trips and field days have converged to make my weeks rather full.

Last week, I was able to go with Jillian on a very cool field trip to Boston. Good thing it was a great place because apparently, 5th graders still want their mothers to accompany them, but it is totally uncool to have any interaction with them whatsoever. What's that about? I sat alone on the bus. I sat alone at lunch. Hmmmm.... So did the other mom's...each of us glancing awkwardly at our children, wondering if we should impose ourselves on them or give them space. Finally we resigned ourselves to the fact that we were relegated to the fringe of the group and began talking to each other. One other mom and I were the camera fiends in the group and kept lagging behind trying to get our perfect shots. ha. We had a great guide who took us on the Freedom Trail. He was a descendant of Paul Revere, so had a passion for the stories of Boston during the Revolutionary War. I highly recommend bringing your children to Boston if you can ever make the trip. It's so full of history, which our kids need to know. So many brave men and women risked, or gave, their lives to make this country free. We need to remember what they were willing to die for...what they were trying to escape in Europe.

The Freedom Trail starts at Boston Common

Qaint outdoor market

I am embarrassed to admit that I have forgotten which building this was--but I think it was the Old South Meeting House.

"It all started here." The Original Boston Tea Party in 1773

Some British soldiers happened by during our lunch at Quincy Market.

Jillian was chosen to wear this circa 1773 bonnet.

Statue of Paul Revere with the Old North Church spire in the background, where the lanterns were hung as a warning of the British plan to come by sea.

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Also last week was an adorable concert put on by the 1st grade. Miss Chloe was a very cute ladybug.

She had a short speaking part.

Miss Katie-bug couldn't find her other flip-flop, so made do with one that was completely different. Nice.

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This week, Molly had a recorder concert. She loves playing it and has done a lot of practicing.

Molly catches sight of her family

She and two other friends played a special song.

Jake, following in his sister's footsteps, dashed out to the car before I had a chance to notice a two things about him. One: he was wearing unmatched flip-flops.

Two: his shorts were on backwards.

I'm pretty sure it ruins my chances for that elusive mother-of-the-year award.