Ahhh... The First Day of School

It started out as a wonderful, quiet morning. I was awake before everyone else, getting cinnamon rolls ready for the first day of school breakfast. It was commercial-like as I woke my children up. Grant says, "Ahhh... I smell cinnamon rolls." "This is an exciting day," exclaims Will as he is climbing down the bunk bed ladder. The children had arisen without a complaint of hating school or wanting to stay in bed. And sitting around the table wasn't a battle; it was expectant and joyful.

"Boys, we need to be in the car by 7:40," I state at 6:42am, thinking we have plenty of time this morning.

Things were going smoothly along until about 7:20. After quelling up with anxiety and impatience, I erupted. Mr. Grant tests me to no-end on school mornings. He is the biggest dilly-dallyer I know, besides Dave. And it drives me insane!!! I can't send him upstairs for anything because he gets lost in the process of it all and unloads his mind by playing Legos when he should be brushing his teeth. Then, I yell up to him again. "LET'S GOOO, GRAAANT!!!"

"Mom, why did you yell so loud?" questions Will. "BECAUSE I HAVE A SECOND-GRADER WHO CAN'T GET READY BY HIMSELF!!!" I scream.

At 7:35am, an accident happens by one child, right after they had just sat on the toilet for 5 minutes. Dave can't help me out, because he is wiping his own butt on another toilet. I make Grant cry as I pull his hair while combing it. And I get frustrated because my eldest is a sissy, crying all the time over the littlest things, like a little tangle in his sun-streaked locks.

It is now 7:46am, and they grab their shoes. "GET IN THE CAR!!" "WE'RE SO LATE!!" "AND IT'S ONLY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!" "UGGHH!!"

"Ah, shit, we have to take a picture," I say, followed by my thought of "I hope they didn't hear me say shit. Maybe I can play it off as 'ah, ship.' "

"Don't make us take a picture in the front," Grant states, "The sun is in our eyes there."

"JUST GET OVER HERE NOW!!" I utter loudly to them, not wanting to wake any neighbors and bring attention to the crazy lady who loves in that house. "AND IF YOU DON'T SMILE, I WILL GIVE YOU A SPANKING!!"

Happy First Day of School, boys! Your mother sure made it joyous for you!

In conclusion, I have got to come up with a better morning plan. And pray for more patience. And have another apology ready for my new second-grader when he gets home.