I don't even know what to name this one.

So it's never good when you begin your day walking in 10 minutes late for your kids dentist appointments (that you forgot about) apologizing that they haven't even brushed their teeth this morning. Never the less, this is how I began my day, and as if the rest of my day took cue from the beginning, it was down hill from there. Four cavaties and the "Do you accept kidneys for payment" conversation later, we are off to run our errands for the day. Every once in a while the planets align just right and I can stroll in to Wal-Mart as if I am the mom who has it all together. I nod sympathetically at those overwhelmed by the temper tantrum going on in her cart because I am at Wal-Mart ALONE. The confidence in every step as I am able to walk directly to what I need without a detour to the bathroom, without a nervous glance to the security camera as I debate "Will I be arrested for spanking my child who is yelling at me over a box of fruity pebbles?" On those days I can pretend I have it all together. Today however, I wanted to throw the box of fruity pebbles at "those moms" as I was the one with the tantrum in my cart. It began with "Mom how much is this so I can save for it?" and quickly digressed to a painfully sobbing "Don't you love me? I need it!" (tear, tear, snot, snot). Don't think I even actually made it out of the store buying anything before it was time to meet my grandma for our weekly Chic-fil-A experience. Thinking my day may turn around after a quiet lunch watching the kids play through the glass in the playroom was short lived as in the car I hear "Mom, there was a mean kid in the playroom so we pushed him down the slide." Hands on the steering wheel, brakes on, head down as I now mentally add Chic-fil-A, along with Wal-Mart and my dentist to the list of places that will cringe when we walk in. One mommy lecture on "being kind to even the mean kids" later we pick up my oldest 2 from school and arrive back at the dentist for their appointments. It is only as we are walking in that I realized it was pajama day at school and my kids are in their P.J.'s. (What drug was I on when I thought it was a good idea to schedule 5 dentist appt.s in the same day?) Two fights in front of the dentist, one more cavity and a "your daughter needs to start braces" later, we are ready to leave. Not however before Hagen decides to overflow the watercooler in the waiting room all over the floor. I'm not sure six months is enough time to recover before I have to usher them all back to the dentist again. After an award winning dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup I am almost giddy at the thought of bedtime, the sign that I can file this day away and never look back. As I tuck Hagen in bed (early, because bedtime didn't come soon enough), he says "Mom, I don't know why I was such a jerk today." This coming from the tired mouth of a five year old was the redeeming light in my day. " I forgive you bud." (Not enough to get out of bed, just enough to do it all again tomorrow.)