Back to School

Yes, I am a nervous-nelly about my kids going to school. I realize I am not the only mom sending kids to school. And that I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. But, hey, that is what I am good at!

I keep trying to get some kind of sense of how nervous my kids must be too, but they just laugh at me. Porter told me yesterday, that he was 5 and that is really, really, old. I told him that there are kids who come from homes that are, let's just say, not as healthy as his. (i.e. they use bad words, and do bad things!) He just said, "Mom, if there are any bad kids I will just be their friend. Even if they are mean to me, I'll still be their friend." And as if a final reassurance he said, "You know I am really good at making friends."

I told him that mom, dad, or grandma won't be there to help him make decisions or to protect him. He said, "Mom, Jesus will be there and I know how to pray."

Okay, I guess he passes. I didn't know Jesus was starting kindergarten, but I sure am glad he's going to be in Porter's class.

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Madison is already a mini-mom. I really could let her take over. I caught her outside yesterday pointing a finger at the boys and telling them what they weren't supposed to be doing. They were all in swimsuits--well Porter was in his underwear, but the other two had swimsuits on. (At least he wasn't naked.) They were playing in the pool and running on the slip and slide.

I peeked out at them. When I saw Madison, I stopped her and bent down to her level. I cupped her face in my hands and said, "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you just have fun and be a kid for once?"

She looked up at me quizzically and said, "Why?"

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When Lane gets tired he turns into a little passive-aggressive monster. He wanted more popcorn. We were watching a movie and eating popcorn. He picked up the bowl full of nothing but corn kernels and slowly poured it onto the ground while he looked at me. I was furious. I told him he had to pick it all up by himself.

I got so mad, I announced time out for myself. I didn't want to yell at him, although I really felt like it. I went in the other room and sat on the bed. Madison came in. I said, "Okay, miss Mom. How am I supposed to handle this."

She said, "You need to apologize to him first."

Exasperated, I said, "I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't yell at him. That's why I am in here. Because I don't want to lose it on him."

She stopped and thought. Then said, "Then just pray until you're done being angry."

My kids are fine. I'm the one that's nuts.