Don't look now

When they get home from school, the boys throw their backpacks on the table, so I can go through them.  Usually, I do, but I've been lazy lately, and sometimes I'll just tell them to put them away or else they'll sit there until dinnertime.  Of course, the days I do that, there's some kind of notice that I need to see or sign or deal with...bad Mommy.  It's a good thing that when they run out of lunch money, one of them will come home with stamp on their hand, or they'd be having the "eat it or eat nothing" lunch at school the next day...bad Mommy. 

I'm just getting to be sick of the routine.

At least that's what I thought, until I was emptying Ryan's backpack, and found the lunch-slip in his backpack.  It said he has 2 bucks left in his account.  (ok) Underneath that, however, it says "There are only 15 more days of school left!"

Oh, come on, I thought.  They've gotta be kidding.  I cringe inwardly as I confirm on my calendar that yes, there are only 15 more days of school left.  (You'll notice I left off the exclamation point...bad Mommy.)  What???  NOOOOOO, no, no, it can't be.  I'm not ready.  I need more time.  I need a plan.  I, aye, aye yi yi--I'm resting my head for a second right now, my mind swirling....

Well, I kinda have a plan, but it's only going to cover a few days and is only going to take care of the first week after they are out.  (We're going to Disneyland!!)  But after that, hmmm.  I guess we'll do swimming lessons, and keep up the aikido.  Maybe another class?  The library is a good option, if I can hit Audrey with a tranquilizer dart before we go and Ben remembers to use his 'quiet' voice.  I'm sure there will be opportunity to do the friend's coming over/them going to a friend's yo-yo now and then.

Okay, maybe I can do this.  Perhaps I'll institute a fee or a chore for whoever says "I'm bored" or "There's nothing to do."  I'm sure I can find something around the house for them to tackle...  Their break is short, too, they'll be back to school on July 26th.  For crying out loud, I endured an entire summer gigantically pregnant with Ryan, working full time with a toddler and a 4 yr old, I should be able to take about 8 weeks of joy.  Extra kids...swimming pools....movie stars. 

In the meantime, I'm going to try and enjoy these last 15 days.  After I stock up on Motrin, of course.