The house is so quiet ...

... Because the kiddos are in Kindergarten.

Yesterday was their first day.
And, well, FOR THE MOST PART, it went well enough.

Especially considering that some of my dear friends had their first graders get into fights on the first or second day of school. (These were all separate incidents, mind you. It wasn't some Real Bout Grade School thing, I can assure you.)

SO, we missed the bus. And waited, not knowing we had missed the bus. And waited and waited. And I called the school's office. And the guy who answered told me to wait another 10-15 minutes (which would put us at the bus stop AFTER school started). And the sweet lady who lives by the bus stop came out, in her robe, even!, to tell us that the bus had been by at least 20 minutes ago. *sigh*
So we RAN HOME (and I had found my keys, buried in the bottom of my purse) and JUMPED in the van and SCURRIED over to get the kids in school.
(I had asked, while on the phone, if my kids' late entrance would count against them. And I was assured it wouldn't. Phew!)

And, oh, you should be SO PROUD of me for not losing my shiz right then and there.
But, the kids knew I was upset (And I PRACTICED my DEEP BREATHING so they'd have an example of what to do when you are PISSED BEYOND BELIEF THAT YOU'VE RUINED THEIR FIRST-EVER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL ... or just upset/frustrated for any reason).

Still, we got them to school maybe ten minutes late. They got their seats and their nametags. They put their lunchboxes away on the wagon. And life was good.
So I went to the car, called Michael, and cried to him about how awful I am that I missed the bus.
(Seriously, though, when we checked the schedule last week, I could have SWORN up and down that it said 8:48 ... it NOW says 8:38. ... And it came today around 8:35).

Awww ... my dad just called me. (He usually just calls on Mondays.) He wanted to let me know that he was watching the news and a gal in Springfield was irate because her kids' bus was CRAZY EARLY, so they missed the bus yesterday, too. So I'm not the only one that does this! ^_^

Another of my friends, the lovely Katie, let me know that on HER first day of Kindergarten, not only was she late, but she went to the wrong class ... and no one noticed for around an HOUR.

So, yeah ... I'm feeling better and able to handle it TODAY.

Also, when the kids got off the bus (I was there about 20 minutes early for it. And it was over ten minutes late. So I got some sun. And did some counting blue cars [not really. But props to you if you get that 90s reference. If not, you can Google it. I won't think any less of you.]), they told me that Bruise's water bottle opened and spilled all over the (carpeted) classroom floor.

>.<
Ugh.

And, when I unloaded their backpacks (no homework sheets tonight! They just need to read, read, read every night!), there was a note from their teacher about the incident. (She didn't know that they'd tell me, I guess.)
And I felt AWFUL.
But there was a smiley face on it. Which softened the blow.
And, really, no one EVER said NOT to send a water bottle to school with your kids.
So I will just chalk it up to a learning experience.
To not send Tupperware water bottles in a backpack side pocket, full of water, to school.

Instead, I tucked their Thermos water bottles (well, that's ONE of them. The other is Batman) into their lunch boxes. And this ones are TOTALLY SPILL-PROOF ... unless it's missing a part. Which sucks. But these ones aren't.

So, yeah, I almost broke down SOBBING a few times yesterday. Not because I was worried that my kids wouldn't have fun or that I wouldn't be able to get by without them or that they're growing up so fast (although it IS odd how QUIET the house is with just me and Freyja-cat and the nocturnal Prickle Sisters ... and the kids ARE growing up. And it IS fast how it's happening.) ... No, I cried because I was FRUSTRATED that I was becoming THAT MOM.

You know, the irresponsible one that can't even make it to the bus stop on time on the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. The one who sends her kid to school with something that MAKES A MESS ...
THAT MOM.

However, as L.M. Montgomery said, "Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet."
And, THUS FAR, we've been doing MUCH better.
The kids didn't read last night ... but they read to me this morning. And they'll have to read to me again before they get to watch shows or play the Wii or whatever.
I had their lunches packed and got the finishing bits (yogurt, spoon, ice pack) added this morning.

Yesterday, when the kids got up, Michael made each of them a card, wishing them a happy first day of school. ^_^
I've included little love notes in their lunchpails (yesterday and today ... and I hope to not miss a day ... So I'll need to buy more Post-Its sometime. :P).
So far, things are going well.
Especially when I get them on the bus on time.
However, I do now know that it takes less than five minutes to drive them to school. Even when more than half the lights are against me. And, YES, I DID OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS. (Go me.)

Tomorrow, I have a dentist appointment. Anyone want to guess how much dental work I'll be needing? Since my last dental check-up was ... like ... three years ago? If you're right, I'll totally give you a shout-out. :P

But, yeah ... I've used my time somewhat productively. No make-up, but I did get showered and dressed. Got the kids dressed and hairs done (Bruise's is totes easy ... just comb it. And you barely have to do that. Boys have it easy.). Gave the kids cereal (they also get free breakfast at school. EVERYONE does. But you have to pay for or bring your own lunch. Unless you are on free/reduced lunch. And I haven't done the paperwork for that. Not that I know if we'll be on it at all). Made them read to me. Got their lunches in their backpacks. Got a jacket for Bucket. Got them on the bus. Scurried home and threw a load in the dishwasher. Cleaned up the kids' bathroom. Threw a load in the washer. ... And here I am -- blogging away.

I'm exhausted. After all the emotions of yesterday (Can I blame the pregnancy hormones? And ignore my pride/perfectionism? I can be in denial, right??) and two nights of ... ODD dreams, well ... I'm tired.
Maybe I should take advantage of the quiet and tidy up the living room floor enough to do that Prenatal Yoga DVD from when I was preggers with Bruise and Bucket. ... Yeah, I'm four months along and still haven't done any REAL exercise program. Can I blame it on the fact that I still am often nauseated?
I am still taking one Zofran most days. ... And I threw up ... so much ... Sunday night.
(Note: Tater tots? Delicious ... but they HURT coming up. Just FYI. YOU'RE WELCOME.)

So ... I'm going to wrap this post up. And think about either taking a nap or reading a book or doing yoga (probably not. I'm lazy now.) or something. And ... I'd kinda like that nap. But I'm not in a napping mood. Oh well.