How to Make Mommy Cry, by Robin

Okay, so I survived the week back at work.  I was tired, for sure...but no more so than I normally am.  Of course, it was a short week (3 1/2 days for me), so that's not saying much. 

We have the children with us this weekend.  Normally, they are with their father in Muncie on the weekends.  Today was Plainfield's Quaker Day, complete with parade, so (since Megan had to work), I took the kidlets to Main Street to watch the parade.  Meg had already had a talk with them about not running into the street to pick up thrown candy.  We were prepared!  We had the children's lawn chairs, one of those folding chair deals for me, two plastic grocery bags--and all kinds of excitement.  When the parade started, I taught the children to stand for the first American flag that goes by.  (Ever the teacher!)  And then came the candy!  We were in a strategic spot--close to the beginning of the parade (so everyone still had plenty of candy to throw) and away from other children so mine stuck out.  It rained candy!  At first, Ryan was apprehensive about leaving the curb to pick up the loot, per his mother's warning, but by the third throw, he was oblivious to the parade and out in the street hauling in the goodies!  When the parade was over, we had two bags loaded with candy to carry back to the car.  Ryan thought he was a pig in slop!

One of the floats had the Pledge of Allegiance on it.  I mentioned it to Robin who told me that they say the Pledge in school.  I was glad to hear that, but she's only been in Kindergarten for three weeks.  How much can 5-year-olds know about the Pledge--much less know it?   

We decided to do Chinese for supper.  In the restaurant, Robin was telling her mother about the parade and the float with the Pledge on it.  She said she knew the Pledge.  I didn't half believe her...until she started reciting it.  Our jaws dropped.  She knew it!  We have "one nation, under God, unvisible, with liverty and justice for all"....but it was a masterpiece!  I looked over at Megan...and (of course) she was crying.  Now I think my daughter gets why I sat in the bleachers blubbered during her solo in her second grade Christmas concert!

The house is trashed.  Having the children for the weekend leaves no opportunity to catch up on housework.  Ugh!