My children attend schools located in various parts of our town and throughout the district - that's okay, September we will be down to two and back to four different schools again, the following year - which can make for very stressful mornings.

"Quick...she's here!"

Who?

"Carpooling mom is here!"

This is usually the time I start to wonder if other people's children act as surprised when they realize that they have to go to school, every day.  Next, comes the running of many feet, the door slams and the dog barks as the picture frames bounce on the wall in a haze of dust and dander.

Unless, I'm driving.

"Let's go...GUYS...I've got the early run, this morning!"

I'm sorry, then it's pretty much the same stuff and just happens to start a whole lot earlier!

"Grab your backpacks, don't forget your lunches and GET OUT!"

As anyone who's ever had the pleasure to stop, drop and roll your kids out at curbside knows.

"Remember, mommy loves you!"

A lot of our time is spent waiting on one long line, after another, or trying to figure out a way to get from here, to there, in as least amount of time, as possible...well, there isn't very much time left for hugs and kisses.

"And don't forget to shut the door!"

No, I don't have one of those cool cars - with the built-in dvd player and self-closing sliding side doors - but, my kids and I do appreciate taking part in the door-to-door service.

Especially, in the rain.

"Quick, get in and...for the love of Mike...SHUT THE DOOR!"

Who's Mike?

Nevermind, the kids are pretty much used to my yelling weird stuff at them.

"Please don't tackle Carpool Boy - there is no playing football in the backseat!"

But, I would never have thought my pointing out the fact that my son really could have injured his friend, would hurt him so much.  He grabbed his backpack, jumped out of our minivan and probably thought that this was perhaps one of the worst possible ways for me to start his day.

"Mommy loves you!"

Yep, he looked just as miserable at pick-up.

"I wrote you a note."

It sounded pretty serious, yes?  So, this time I pulled over to read it:

Dear Mommy,

I didn't like what I was like in the car, but I still don't wan't you

to yell at me.  I'm really really really really really sorry.

Your son,

Little Man

Nevermind, the honking - or, the cars behind me - I  really do believe him and felt an urgent need to hug my son, seriously!