Somethin' to chew on

Last Wednesday I gave the kids a fifteen minute warning that it was time to get in the car to take Brevin to soccer and then the girls to gymnastics. They were supposed to clean up their mess, change their clothes, and get shoes on. Then, get in the car. Not that complicated, right? Oh, I did throw in a reminder to go to the bathroom so we could avoid the always urgent plea AS SOON AS we pull out of the driveway of "I gotta go." So, the 15 minutes pass and none of the four kids are even ACTING like they're on their way to the car, so I picked up myself and told them I was leaving. Brock was the only one to follow me, so I thought, "Great, I'm leaving with the only one that doesn't have any place to go, but that's fine by me." However, once we get to the carseat, I realize he's poopy, so BACK inside we go to do a change. (REALLY, what is it about that we're leaving announcement and my kids' bowel movements??? they seem really related.) Now I would imagine the scene inside is pure panic at the thought of being left home from their activities, but OOOOHHH NOOOO, Kenzie, Caylee, and Brevin are lounging around like they didn't even know I was leaving them. And then I was a little bugged that they had totally not even heard my threat. So, as I am changing the diaper, I yell again, "I am leaving you guys home if you are not in the car by the time I am done changing this diaper!!!!" Out walks Caylee NOT in her gymnastics outfit. OH, I was so frustrated. At this point, she was a little panicked and I got a little rise out of that, "Oh, crap, I should have listened 15 minutes ago!!!" freak-out. So, by the time I got Brock buckled in his carseat, the other kids are racing out to the already running car and rush in as I am backing up. Cuz, I was seriously ready to leave them. So, with all that hubba-baloo NOW we're late and I am ready to read them the riot act and I launch into this mom-tyrade about listening to me when I tell them to start getting ready, and not farting around watching TV instead of picking up their mess, and taking responsibility for being where they're supposed to be, and on and on and on. We had gotten quite a way out of the neighborhood when I realized I was droning on and on and what I was saying was probably not resonating with any of them, so I said, "OKAY?! Ya got it? Have you had your butt chewed enough?" So, what do I get back? Brevin's little voice asking, "Mom, why do you wanna eat my bum?" I'm so glad all my energies are making a difference! Yet another reminder about how I am molding the future people!