the things we do for our children

It all begins with hours of labor and extreme pain.  It then progresses to include things such as wearing a swimsuit in public (and in broad daylight), showing off stark white legs.  This is especially fun when you've just had a baby, but you're trying to keep the older one entertained.  Pumping while driving the car.  Cooking dinner while holding a fussy baby.  Finally giving in and buying the ultimate mom-mobile.  I could go on and on... And now I've achieved a new high.... or low, depending on how you want to look at it!  I volunteered at Aidan's school to be Clifford on Monday morning.  It was either work 2 hours in the book fair or 30 minutes as Clifford, waving at all of the kids as they came to school.  Since my volunteer time means someone (my parents) have to be watching the other kids, I chose the 30 minute time slot and dressed as the big red dog.  And it was actually kind of fun.  The kids, for the most part, were so excited to see Clifford as they got to school.  And a lot of the parents had big grins as well.  I think I only made one kid cry.  Actually, I made Aidan cry, too.  I told him that I was going to be dressing up like Clifford the next day.  After thinking about it for a while, he asked, "Are you going to be Clifford for all days after that?"  I think he thought maybe I was going to turn into Clifford forever.  Poor boy!  I took him with me to put the suit on, because I thought he would get a kick out of it.  Instead, tears immediately started streaming down his face, and I had only stepped into the body part of the costume.  His teacher came and got him and took him to his classroom early.  Apparently, I should have just sent him to class early, but I didn't know that was an option.  He was absolutely fine when I picked him up.  He was probably just glad to see I hadn't turned into Clifford for good!  I guess someday I'll be dropping him off around the corner from his school so nobody sees him getting out of the car with his MOM!  He would probably die of embarrassment if I were to dress like Clifford when he's a teenager.  I'm glad I can go ahead and check that off my bucket list.