I go to Eliza's class and pick her up then Isaac's and get him and another little boy that I take home. As we are standing outside the door I have the two older boys hold hands with the younger ones. Isaac's teacher looks at me and compliments me on how well I handle "all these little kids". And yes, inside I'm thinking the same thing, "I am doing such a great job" & "I am a such a good mom". Smith must have heard my thoughts.
We got all the way down to the end of the first parking lot and then it happened. Smith takes off to the fields behind the school to chase after some birds. I decide not to run after him I figure the other kids will follow and we'll never get out of there. So I just let him run and try and talk him back. Pointless and stupid.
After a while the kids all start straying and now I am threatening everyone to stay put. For a moment I just stood there not knowing what to do. Finally I decide to do the "Bye I'm leaving" trick while Isaac is yelling at me telling me that I'm not a good mom if I leave him. I tell him I am just pretending and he tells me I'm lying.
It worked. Smith followed and we got to the car. All I did was take out my keys from my purse and look up to find Smith running towards the street. He's standing right on the edge of the sidewalk and I know if I chase after him he will run into the street. So I tell him to look at the plane and while he looks up I sprint towards him.
I didn't realize that while I was going after Smith Eliza had followed me. A teacher saw Eliza in the middle of the parking lot and ran over to get her. I come back with a screaming Smith and see Eliza crying and the teacher wide eyed and full of disapproval.
I tell her thank you and then start to get everyone in the car. Eliza and Smith are doing a screaming/crying combo, Isaac is very upset on the verge of tears at all the chaos and his friend looks fearful. The teacher just stood there for a moment and then walked back to her car and sat there staring at me until I drove away. I wanted to cry but forced a smile for her instead.
I've always thought so negatively about people with kids on leashes but after a day like that they are looking pretty good!
I just don't know that I could really do it though. I'll be honest when I think of kids on leashes I tend to picture this instead.
Enough said. Definitely some good times for the Sorensen family. I just wish I didn't have to see that teacher ever again!
