Dropping the kids off at school on time is one of our family challenges. Getting everyone out the door (including me), resolving on-the-fly crises, and whatever else randomly comes up can be a challenge. But we are getting better. Jennifer and I do a tightly improvised dance (is such a thing really possible?) each morning moving to get kids, bags, and lunches ready.
Somehow, stop signs, traffic lights and incomprehensible driving behaviour by other parents at the overly congested street for their school conspire to make us pretty much on time—most of the time.
Today was a good one. As long as we beat the morning lineup in the school yard or get there during it, we are good to go.
Audrey gets dropped off: I tell her, "Have a great day, Deputy Mayor!" She beams. She wrote a great speech at the last minute to run for mayor of her class, thanks to the urging of Jennifer. She only lost by two votes against a very popular girl. But she still gets to be Deputy Mayor. Not bad for someone who wasn't even wanting to run. Today is her day to get picked up by her Mom and have an afternoon alone together. She is excited to make coffee cake with Jennifer. I don't need that, but am going to enjoy it anyway.
I walk Claire in. Claire has been having a hard time with kindergarten lately and that is saying a lot for the next coming of the unsinkable Molly Brown. She does well, but the mix of the class is hard for her. Way too many boys (only six girls out or 22 or so kids!). But she is the turnaround artist once again. Only six hugs today as I leave her in class; yesterday I got more than ten. I always tell her she is smart, strong, and the best. Which she is.
Colin is still at home. But he has been picking up a slight bit the past few days. A little less withdrawn and outgoing. He asks me in a cheery voice to troubleshoot a problem with the iPad. He has been able to do some public activities he wouldn't have been able to do in the past few weeks. It's miniscule. Only I am noticing these tiny changes; Jennifer sees them if I point them out. But I see them. I know he will get through this.
Comments