Did you hear me?  I'm sure my neighbors did!  My children didn't hear me, but they saw me for what I was - a virtual train wreck.

They just stood their, frozen and unable to turn away.

I knew it was happening - the tingling sensations starting around the waistband of my pajamas and ending somewhere deep in the pit of my stomach - but, I just couldn't seem to help myself.

I totally and completely lost it.

I can remember exactly when I felt my caboose beginning to derail.  It was the moment I opened my eyes, this morning - after having spent a long weekend at home, digging in the dirt - and celebrating my birthday, yesterday, doing very little else, besides sitting by the pool and finally finishing the book I've been wanting to read.

"Let's go, guys - you are all driving me crazy - why is everyone moving so slow?!?"

I was having a little trouble, you know, switching gears.

"C'mon guys - brush your teeth, put your sneakers, grab your backpacks and get a move on - let's hustle!"

The kids still have two weeks of school, but - having officially begun their countdown, soon after spring break - mentally, they've already started their summer vacation, a long time ago.

"I don't wanna go to school!"

Here we go, again.

"I know."

What?

"I said, I know!"

[eyes go wide]

"So, can I stay home with you today?"

No.

"Why?"

Because.

"I have a very busy day ahead of me and I'm not ready for you to be home, yet."

[eyes go wide]

"But, we don't have to do anything and could, you know, just hang around."

Exactly.

"But, Mommy's really busy just trying to keep up with you guys, right now."

What?

"Don't worry, Mommy - it's okay - soon, you'll be able to relax all you want, too!"

[eyes go wide]

"Why?"

Because.

"Well, you won't have to drive us to school, no more, and you'll have plenty of time to cook, clean, and do laundry and not yell at us, all the time!"

Oh, that.

"I mean, don't you wish it could be summer, all the time!?!"

Yes - I mean, no - well, I really don't know, because it seems I've already managed to lose my train of thought.

What?

"So, do you want me stay home and, you know, help you today?"

NO!

I can't say that I blame them, but - if this past weekend is any indication - it's beginning to look as if my days are about to get really busy, doing nothing.

"C'mon guys - what's with all the wet clothes - didn't I ask you to hang these up?"

Except, with lots more laundry!