Are you sure you are my child?

My kids are built in alarm clocks. I can count on one hand the times they've slept in until 7:30. Apparently there is so much going on they simple can't sleep in and miss a darn thing. Until this morning. We woke up at 8:38 a.m. This is a problem when the school bus comes at 8:12 a.m. and the bell for school rings at 8:45 a.m.

As soon as I realize what time it is and that we are all still in our PJs I calmly walk into my oldest son's room and say that it's late. We need to get up, get dressed, and grab something we can eat in the car.

"What (sobbing)!!! We missed the bus. My whole day is ruined. I wanted to ride the bus (wailing)."

"I'm sorry, there is nothing we can do about it. Now, get dressed and let's get going."

The house is now filled with the shrieking histrionics of my seven year old. Nonetheless, I move on to my five year old.

"We are late. Please get dressed."

"Ok." (Mercifully, today he is his usual easy going self.)

More histrionics from the first born: "I've missed the bus. I'm probably going to get there during calendar. This is awful." All this is said at massive decibels with interjected wails and cries. Really, I'm trying to remain calm but I want to whoop him upside the head.

30 seconds later. "Mommy!!!!!! It's your fault. I'm going to miss gym now."

"Ummm. The only one who is going to make you miss gym is you! You still aren't dressed and you are sitting here crying. Get a move on and you probably won't even miss calendar."

Finally we get downstairs. Finally everyone is somewhat calm . . . until we discover that there are not enough chocolate granola bars to go around. A new round of hysterics begin, at which point I eat all the chocolate granola bars and tell them to get in the car.

Peace resumes when I drop them off at school and get home to a steaming mug of tea.

It is days like these that I am reminded that part of our job as parents is to teach kids that life doesn't always go according to the plan. That we must always learn to roll with the punches, even when they knock us down.