Minor Miracle (Surviving the First Day of School)

Tuesday was the first day of school. In some ways I was glad and in some ways I was sad to have school start again. I am not a morning person so I have always dreaded the morning routine of getting the kids ready and out the door to the bus. This Tuesday was even more hectic than usual because we still had family visiting, the kids stayed up late the night before, etc., etc.

On Monday night before I went to bed, I set my alarm for 6:55- our new wake-up time. But apparently I forgot to actually turn the alarm on, since I was awakened by Dave at 7:15- exactly 8 minutes before the kids are supposed to get on the bus. I shook off my groggy haze as quickly as I could and ran down the hall to get the kids out of bed, thinking "I guess I will have to drive the kids to school today."

I burst in to Jared's room (where Camryn was sleeping also, due to our visitors) to find two empty beds. Slightly puzzled, I went downstairs to try to find them. Jared and Camryn were both dressed for school in a new school outfit, had eaten breakfast and were putting on their backpacks. I helped them comb their hair and then sent them out the door in plenty of time to catch the school bus. Jared had set his alarm and both he and Camryn had gotten up and gotten ready completely on their own. My kids tend to be on the independent side, but I was not expecting this from a 3rd grader and 1st grader.

And so, despite mommy's subconscious attempt to make the first day of school stressful and crazy, I was foiled in my attempt and things went almost as smoothly as possible.

Is it possible that kids really do grow up and learn to do things on their own? Maybe there is hope....