4 Trips to School in One Day?!

Well, I've officially passed into the "Mom taxi" phase of my life. Today I made four, I repeat FOUR, trips to Laura's school. First, of course, there was the morning drop off before I headed to the YMCA to teach my water aerobics class. After that, Nathan and I drove all the way back across town for trip #2 to school to have lunch with Laura and for me to read a book to her class. This was by far my favorite of the 4 trips. It was fabulous to watch Laura in her new little world of kindergarten. She clearly knows the routine well and was very happy to play tour guide to me for everything from where to sit in the cafeteria to how to line up for recess. Reading to her class was nice, and they were all so quiet and well-behaved, including Nathan. I had given him a little talk about how he needed to sit on the carpet with Laura's class and be quiet during the story, and he took it to heart because the second I finished the book, he said (rather loudly) in front of everyone "Mommy, I was quiet like a nice boy for the story." :-) After that, it was home for a couple of hours of housework and Nathan's nap, then back in the car again for trip #3, the after school pick-up, by far my LEAST favorite, since it appears you have to arrive over 30 minutes in advance of the final bell if you want to get a decent parking spot. Should be fun once the snow comes and parking is even worse on that little street! We came home, had dinner, and then it was time for what we call "kid dates". We try to schedule time regularly to split the kids up and each have a one-on-one date with one of them. It was Nathan's turn with Daddy, and the boys took a trip to the neighborhood park for swinging, sliding and general playground fun. Laura and I got back in the car for trip #4 to school, Family Fun Night. She got to try lots of little games for fabulous little carnival prizes (read "junky plastic trinkets that kids love"), go through a fire safety house and, every kid's favorite, the bounce house. I'm convinced there's no greater place to observe pure kid joy than a bounce house. Ear to ear grins.....enough said.
A good day was had by all.......but I will enjoy my 2-day reprieve from the commute to school! Happy Weekend!

Gina