Smucker’s Uncrustables were invented 10 years ago when my oldest was a baby. I have to say, when I first saw a friend whip one out in play group, my jaw hit the floor. I thought to myself “What will they come up with next? Who doesn’t have time to make a peanut butter & jelly sandwich?” Well Smarties, that day has arrived. On August 24, 2011. The day I sent all four children to “big boy school.”
A few weeks before school started, I had an extra skip in my step. I had dreams of all of the FREE time I was going to have. Of all the things I was going to get accomplished with that many hours in a row unplanned. I truly believed that I had arrived. I had already mourned the last day of preschool and I was ready to send my twins to the elementary school that my girls and family had grown to love.
Two days before the first day of school, one of my twins came down with the throw-up virus. Seriously, what is up with my family and the throw-up virus?! It didn’t affect first day though, and for that I was thankful. Just five days later, other twin got the throw-up virus and his was a million times worse, lasted two full days. So we got through that, but then came the identical twin anxiety.
I knew I was not going to get through this rite of passage unscathed. One twin got the entire soccer team in his class. The other twin got nobody that he knew, but a great group of kids. He felt like he got the short straw and has yet to recover. His teacher reports that he goes to the bathroom several times a day, just to sneak a peak at his twin brother in the adjoining classroom. For the next three weeks, this twin suddenly feels like he’s going to throw up as soon as we enter the school parking lot. I summoned the help of my school counselor, teachers, pediatrician – all with mixed diagnoses. Doc says it’s a legit case of gastritis after a nasty GI bug. So we’re treating for that. But his symptoms mysteriously come on with the thought of school, they escape on Fridays and resurface on Mondays. His latest plea to me was just today and he said “Mommy, I really think YOU could be my teacher and we could do this from home.” This BREAKS MY HEART. In half. Every time I drop him off at school in full tears.
So every morning since August 24th, I barely scramble to get the four kids out the door. My hubby and I are in a full sweat packing lunches, rousting sleepy children, making sure homework is completed and getting all teeth brushed and hair combed. I have forgotten that I didn’t pay for a hot lunch. I’ve forgotten beverages in all FOUR lunch boxes. I’ve sent completed homework in another child’s folder. But if I didn’t have Smucker’s to thank for that crustless PB&J, I don’t know what I’d do. They are worth every penny of the $18 that I spend on an 18-pack of sammies.
Lord help me. And sweet Walker, who is missing his identical brother and his mommy…
5 comments
Oh Jen, this breaks my heart! I feel for you and your sweet boy! I can see the hustle and bustle of the morning in your home! I will be calling you next year when I am going through the same thing for some tips! Meanwhile, I am so thankful for Cami still being in preschool one last year!!! Keep us posted! Jessica
You are dealt what you can handle which means you are a master juggler and I am not! Team Plym would surely take Gold in a”lunch making relay race” and Team Bowman wouldn’t even place…
Feeling for you on the tears. We had them every morning for the first 3 weeks as well. They have finally subsided. Hoping that your little guy gets settled in soon…
The next time I think I’m having a rough day – I’m going to read this post again. Thanks for sharing and here is hoping that everything turns around :).
Thanks for sharing!! Dead on. But, you need to find a backup to the PB&J b/c as soon as you have an allergic child or children in your class to peanuts, no more PB&J for everyone! Can’t believe that you don’t already have a peanut ban at your school. We do due to the severe allergies of other students, but no one can bring a nut product to school! Live it up…the ban is coming!