Earlier this month, on the first day of school, I posted this video on TheMotherhood.com and went on...and on...about how, after having recently earned my 15 year pin (okay, not really, but parenthood ain't all sunshine and rainbows, so they really should give us something, right?) I am JUST NOW learning how to breath.

• Conference call
• Doctor's appointment
• Conference call
• Field Hockey Game
• Soccer Practice
• Back-to-School Night #3

Yeah, well, I lied.  

[heavy sigh]

I also remember saying something about, "not being a big fan of back-to-school nights" and how, you know, I just don't like doing them anymore.

"Are we going tonight, Momma?"

Then, I remembered something else.

"Yep, as soon as Daddy gets here."

My oldest kid is a sophomore in high school.

"Then, we can go."

But, I missed her freshman orientation and, well, my parents never met any of my high school teachers, or were ever really able to play an active role in our community (with both of them working full-time and part-time jobs, I don't blame them) so, I went.

"Are you ready, Momma?"

As ready as I'll ever be, after:

• Dropping Holly and Hope at Glen's soccer practice
• Loaning coach Glen's social studies book (sucks to be his son, right now)
• Picking up Heather from field hockey
• Meeting my husband back at Glen's soccer practice
• Dropping Hope and Heather off at home

Then a quick potty stop...for me...of course.

"You used to be a lot more Zen!"

I hate it when other mothers remember stuff, like that.

"What happened?"

It's true.  I used to be real cool and calm about stuff, when my kids were little(er), while other mothers were all, like, ACK, but snow days and television ARE the devil!!!

Holly pretended not to know me, but it didn't work.

"Hi, I'm Holly's mom!"

See?

"Yes, well, you walked in with her, so...."

Yes, I took her with me.  Hello?  4 kids in 4 different schools.  16 teachers between them.  Lucky if I remember my kids' names.  Still.  It was sort of fun to sit next to her and make fun of...I mean...get to know the other parents and stuff.

"You are such a child!"

See?

We got to sit all of 10 minutes, before it was time to head over to...uh...I think it was Biology...maybe, English...I forget.

"Which one is yours?"

But, I wanted to check out the biographies posted on the back wall and found Holly's, right away.  It was easy -- she loves to draw anime.

• Favorite Sports:  None
• Favorite Athelete:  None
• Favorite Outdoor Activity:  None

Oh, and Holly hates sports and the kid who would love to live in the city.

Thank goodness, seeing as 3 outta 4 of my kids like sports and, well, I needed someone to stay home, or at least pretend like staying home is, you know, a good thing, too.

Then, I saw this:

• My Hero:  Mom

Aaaand, well, you know, I am just really, really glad I went.

"I'm hungry!"

Besides, once your kids get older, perhaps one day you will also begin to believe that back-to-school night isn't really all that bad, after all.

"Wanna get McDonald's?"

It's sort of like date night, with kids, only a whole lot cheaper and without all the busted plumbing.

"Sure, after I call your grandparents, before they go to bed, to tell them Heather won't need anymore butt surgery!!!"

Aren't you glad I didn't take Twitter?

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