Picking the kids up from school is a whole ordeal in our household. We have four children, as you already know, 3 of which are in school (3 different schools) plus my 2 daycare babes and more often than not a friend to pick up as well. Never mind the wrestling and basketball practices and meets/games, the geometry tutoring, occasional detention or class make-up for the Teenager (aka the Politician of the bunch). So, basically I never know whether I'm coming or going... thankfully I've only messed up once though!
On a typical day, once we reach our last destination and all the pick ups are done, the kids are allowed to storm the playground... they love it and it works out perfectly. They need the release after a long day of school and look forward to playing with their friends and I need kill some time before what can often be a long and arduous evening... oh, yeah, and I get to see my friends too. It's a win win! Due to this routine, rainy slushy muddy days are not our friends and the kids reinforced that yesterday. Oh my goodness the mess!
I was able to contain their mud magnet abilities for a few minutes but once the Princess did her second graceful, yet accidental, swan dive into some seriously disgusting quick sand type mud all bets were off. Initially she was horrified... it was cold, wet and completely covered most of one leg and side, that was just the first fall. By the second her whole backside was covered and the boys were howling! After some serious warnings, which were completely ignored, the Monkey, the Princess and 2 of their friends were shine deep in it! The Professor thought better of it and stood off to the side enjoying the antics of the others. It was as if he was the king and they were the court jester, strictly there for his entertainment, until someone jumped... hard... right into the deepest part of the mud puddle. The boy, who was trying so hard to stay clean, to stay above the temptation (and grossness), got nailed! Right in the face. Oh, it was hysterical. It quickly turned from us adults yelling at the kids to all of us laughing!
I didn't think it was possible but things managed to go even more downhill from there. The monkey was so excited he turned to grab his friend and sent him sailing into the "puddle". Then there was stomping and dancing with lots of slipping and sliding. At one point none of them could even get out if they wanted to, the mud had sucked their shoes in so tightly. They had a ball... my only regret, I didn't get any pictures!
My disaster of a car is actually even worse now... which I never thought possible. Everything else, from hats down to shoes, including everything in between and underneath, went in the washer, after some serious rinsing in the mop sink, and was as good as new for the next day's adventures. While sometimes I wish I could command more attention from my children I wouldn't change them for a single second. I love their excitement, their love of life, and their eagerness to dive into everything with their whole being. It's contagious and quite possibly the best moments of my life.
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