Finding Joy in Snarkville

and there’s a reason — um, because there’s nothing special about it.

Well, this might explain why Duke could not understand why I wasn’t taking photos of him today.  As we walked out of the house this morning he says, “You forgot the camera, you gotta take pictures of me on my way to school.”  “I do? Why?”  “Because you gotta.”

I’m sorry, Duke, it appears you have missed the point we must get all excited about the first day of something and totally forget there are other days to follow.  All of those days are going to pale in comparison to the hype of the first day.  Seriously, when have you ever known there to be as much hype for the closing of the Olympics as the opening?  How many people plan weddings forgetting that after that single day there is a marriage to follow (watch a few episodes of Bridezillas, if you think I’m kidding)?  What joy is there in Opening Day for Baseball season — but who remembers game 12?

So, my dear son has just realized one of life’s little cruelities — we build up the first day, there is a party and by day 2, the fun is over and the work has begun.  There were no nametags today.  No parents even walking past the door to the classroom (thank goodness, because frankly there were FAR too many parents there yesterday — it gave me the hives). There were no special anythings — today, today the work of learning begins.

Therefore, in honor of Day 2, I bring you the short list of things I feel superior about (right this minute and freely admit that I may not be on the top of my game in oh and hour — just saying):

1. We have walked to school every day since Monday.  Yes, walked.  As in on my feet.  Yes, without being able to breathe oxygen through my nose.  I feel much superior to the mom I saw DRIVE her kid one of the two blocks to school and walk the rest of the way (I’m guessing she’s pretending that she walked the whole way).
2. I have gotten dressed in REAL clothing both of the drop off days this week.  I thought surely it would be at least a week before I saw mommies in PJ pants, nope, day two.
3. I found milk boxes.  They are just like juice boxes, but they contain milk — for those kids who prefer milk to juice.  I’m proud of this because I had to check FOUR separate spots in the store before finding them.  FWIW, they are in the juice box section.  (When we found them last night, Duke was so happy he jumped up and down and wanted to give me a high five for my accomplishment.)
4. I returned my homework to the teacher on time.  Yes, in the packet we got yesterday, I had homework from the teacher — I did it and returned it this morning.  One assignment down — a ton more to go.
5. My kindergarten teacher didn’t send home a note declaring that homework was OPTIONAL.  Ahem, have I mentioned that I really like my teacher.  (And yes, I heard the other pack of parents discussing this in the hall at pick-up.)
6. My kid didn’t suck up with flowers in a plastic cup for the teacher — though his mommy is trying to figure out if she’d like a hand knit.  I was also considering some of the 4 billion apples and peaches I have in the backyard.  Who says I can’t suck up?

Now, on a complete sidenote to everything, I just have to say that I wanted to smack a few dads yesterday who mocked (yes, I said mocked) the little boy who was crying when his mommy left him in school.  I was mortified for his mom and for him.  Frankly, those parents should be ashamed and have known better — but then again, I’m pretty sure they locked kids in lockers and gave out wedgies when they were in school.  Perhaps I should not be too harsh on them, since it is apparent that their lives peaked in high school football and they’ve been reliving that glory with a few too many beers since.  Ahem — that was harsh wasn’t it.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 11:56 am and is filed under Motherhood isn't for wimps. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.