Super

So I'll be honest. Most mornings I put a long sweater over my pajamas to take the kids to school. I believe in milk and cookies. I love movie night. I sometimes make entire meals in the microwave. On many nights I go to bed very soon after the kids - OK, at the same time as the kids. We don't read books every night. The kids bathe infrequently. In other words, I would never consider myself a super mom. To me, getting through the day without blood or vomit is a job well done.

There are the rare occasions when things come together, time is on my side and I think 'that' was good. I am proud in that moment. It may be when one of the kids displays impeccable manners or demonstrates kindness. It may be a good report card. It may be when I realize Jake knows all the words to Hey Jude.

But the times I most often feel like a good mom are when my kids are proud of me. When I rushed in to save the day. When I made the cupcakes everybody talked about for the Election Day bake sale. When I wore the Cat in the Hat hat to read at school.

Every Thursday Sam has band at school. This year he's playing the clarinet, and it has been nearly impossible for him to remember his clarinet on band day. We keep it next to the door and he will literally trip over it, set it upright and still walk out the door without it. Last year if the kids forgot their instruments, the band teacher made them write essays about famous composers. (Did you know that Beethoven also played the violin?) I don't want to find out what happens this year. So this morning, at 9:40 when I realized he forgot his clarinet, I dressed (pajamas, remember?) and drove up to his school. As I walked into the parking lot the bell rang and there came Sam and his class, on their way to band. I stealthily passed the instrument to a girl in Sam's class who pitched a lateral to Sam. Imagine a football replay. A slow motion scene in a drug smuggling movie. He gave me a thumbs up and a wave, and I left. Proud.

And it got me to thinking. This is why parents brag. At least why I brag. Imagine you're a C student and you bring home that one A. You want everyone to know about that A. I'm not bragging because of what my kid did, I'm bragging because for once I felt like I did something right. Those of you who have to endure the bragging, just remember - this is 1% of what the kid does. We are telling you this because the other 99% of the time we are in our pajamas and bare feet in the car pool lane.

Shake Your Moneymaker

Last week in Sunday School Abby made a small cup to collect change for a church donation during Advent. I've been dropping in coins here and there - what turns up in the washer, what's found in the car - that kind of thing. But apparently that wasn't enough for Abby.

So yesterday, while Sam and Jake finished homework and I wrapped up my work day, she went outside under the guise of playing with a neighbor, stood on the curb and ... danced for Jesus.

As people drove down our street or walked by with their dogs, she would dance and ask for money. For Jesus. She made $1.56.

Facts of Life

So, Sam's first 'girlfriend' was Mia, a former classmate. Mia's brother Milo often comes to our house to play. He's a year younger than Jake and a year older than Abby so it's perfect ... Sometimes he plays with Abby, sometimes with Jake. (He's a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.) Sometimes he rides his bike or scooter home and sometimes Mia comes to get him. Although Sam is clearly smitten around Mia, he usually refuses to talk to her. After a particularly frustrating and disappointing exchange I reminded him that the brief moments when she is here collecting Milo are perfect occasions to talk to her. Ask her about her day, talk about school, talk about Milo or Abby, do something besides lock yourself in the den. To prove my point I started a practice conversation as Mia. After discussing Halloween candy and Jake's peanut allergy for a minute or so, Sam started making a face like he'd seen someone vomit, and I left the room.

"Mom!" he called me back in. "You know that I'm just kidding when I act like girls disgust me?" he said.

"Really?!? You mean they don't? You mean you might be starting to fancy the ladies?"

He just grinned.

This is gonna be good ....