Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Solidarity, Christie-style

I won't lie to you. This morning was not a pretty one, my friends. We've known this day was coming for two-and-a-half weeks. We have talked about it. We have prepared for it. I thought we were finally ready.

Oh, I have never been so wrong.

When that awful beeping startled me out of my blissful dreams, I half considered blowing off school and not getting up.

And I would have, had it not meant I'd have the children home another day.

Painfully, I tore myself away from the warm quilts and slid into my pink fuzzy slippers. I plodded down the hall and found all three beds still occupied; a phenomenon which never happens. The crazy people in this house take great delight in waking up at the crack of dawn on any given day. Except, naturally, the one day they have to.

Breakfast was marked with yawns and their drowsy, resentful silence.

At one point in the morning, I found a child asleep on the stairs with his backpack and coat on. I gently nudged him awake, and reminded him of all the fun he would have at school today; how his friends would be so happy to see him, how he'd be having pizza for lunch. His sleepy eyes and pouty lips were not to be convinced.

Finally, the bus lumbered slowly around the corner. I watched as their shoulders drooped just a little bit, and their feet grudgingly moved forward, one tired step at a time.

I felt so very sorry for them. But ever the stoic, I waved earnestly, then did the only decent thing a good mother like myself could do: I crawled back into my still-warm bed and took a nap.

My own brand of solidarity.

[Just don't tell the kids. I think it'd break their little hearts.]

37 comments:

Alissa said...

you're my hero.

the part where i have 2 children still at home, one permanently attached to my boob, makes me so jealous i can't see straight.

Unknown said...

Good for you! I don't do it very often, but, occasionally I will crawl back into bed after the kids get on the bus. Oh man, those are the best little naps ever! The house is totally silent and my room is nice and dark. Seriously, that's the best sleep ever!

CJ, The Purple Diva said...

I would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes...it's the only choice given the situtation! ♥

Nikki said...

Ha!Ha! I totally did that today too!! :)

AD said...

That's the hard earned right of having BEEN to school for 16-20 years ourselves--going back to bed at our leisure! Good for you!

Shawna Del Real said...

lol! That's exactly what I would've done!

Terra said...

Oh, I wish I could have done that! I so had to talk myself through the whole morning, just make the lunch now so you don't have to do it on the way out the door, seriously wake the girls up before it is too late, drag yourself in the shower you'll be glad you did..etc. etc. etc. and sadly...I am still talking to myself tonight.

Lauren in GA said...

I am so glad you crawled back into bed! Your kind of solidarity is fantastic!

...and I agree...what is up with my kids being wide awake, bright eyed and bushy tailed on days that they don't have to be awake.

Jenibelle said...

I just looked at your followers. I don't think I know 75 people.

Anyway, an example of parenting at it's finest. Excellent. Why waste a good, warm unmade bed?

Annemarie said...

We had that same morning yesterday, only I didn't get a nap...I got to potty train the one still at home. Dang.

queenieweenie said...

But you'll be that much happier a mother when they get home! (at least that's what I tell myself whenever I crawl back in bed)

Misty said...

awe... good for you! I feel like I owe you an email, but things got so crazy there for awhile- I can't remember why..

Joy & Casey said...

THAT is my favorite thing to do when all of the kids leave-go back to bed and I don't ever ever ever feel guilty about it! It doesn't happen very often but it is such a treat when it does! Good for you! We have year round school here...my darlings go back January 28th. Yep-a Wednesday. THAT means a wasted stupid 2 1/2 day week at school (because Friday is short day!) to account for their days-not anything accomplished during the week. Lame. I am jealous you already sent them back!

brooke said...

My kind of woman. My horrible confession--someimes when my baby goes back to sleep, I crawl back into bed and let my 5 and 3 year olds fend for themselves. I wake up to all kinds of crafts and kitchen mess but it is all worth it. I can't wait till they are all in school!!

Susy said...

Okay here's a twist...I home school and I come down early and let them sleep in so I can have my quiet time. Then at three I go in my room and say "DON'T DISTURB ME" for 30 minutes and I close my eyes and am happy I don't have to go and pick them up from school cuz they are downstairs!

Paige said...

That's where I was too, sista.

Chatter said...

Woohoo! You still put me to shame on your morning routine so I don't think you are that "wild" of a mama. Is there anything better than our warm, cozy beds?

Laurie said...

Can not what for them all to be in school! My darlings had the audacity to get sick, so now they are back home again.

Unknown said...

Oh man...I really long for the day...

AMY said...

Oh man, I've missed reading you! I took a way-too-long hiatus, too. I confess I also crawl back into bed (until the last two days that I've stuck with the New Year's res to stay OUT of bed and get something done! But who can resist warm covers??

♥Shally said...

My husband woke me up at 4:45 to do P90X.

I wanted to KILL him.

I know I agreed to work out with him and all, but waking up that early is just not HUMAN.

I am going to be grouchy today.

mae said...

Good for you. I would've done the exact same thing.

danandcindy said...

Lazy Ars.

Woman Interrupted said...

SAH Moms and dads everywhere are cheering this day! First day back to MDO yesterday and I got to shop in peace!

Bridget said...

Good for you Stie. Good for you.

Margaret said...

So very funny.

That deserves a whole hearted "Amen!"

Dalene said...

Yes, there is just SOMETHING about going back to sleep in the morning.

Becky said...

Jealous. I had to take kids to school, then tromp through the snow delivering a bizzilion baby shower invites. I am still mad about it.

Amanda D said...

You are my kind of woman! I took a nap yesterday too but I was the only one home so I had to get up and dressed and get the kids moving before I could doze on the couch.

Hazen5 said...

Haaaaa! Where you a fly on my wall? Just Kidding, but I did think about it!

the wrath of khandrea said...

way to stand strong.

would now be a good time for my "get a job" lecture?

Emy5 said...

Getting the kids ready for school can feel like a morning's work.

A liitle nap sounds great, and I won't tell!

Melain said...

LMAO!! You SO just described our first day of school!

Hollyween said...

That sounds purely blissful. I hated getting back into the routine too until I realized that it meant I got my day back and didn't have to listen to the wii in the background with the Mario Karts racing and the whining when I said to turn it off. Ah, the peace and quiet. Ah, the serenity.

Annie said...

those are my favorite naps ever. sometimes you just can't ignore the bed's call.

calibosmom said...

I love going back to bed. In fact, I did this morning. YUM!

Michele said...

My kind of mama!!!