Tuesday, September 27, 2005

There Is No Page For This In My Franklin Covey Planner

It’s a big day for the Demigoddesses.

Demi the Younger, in a humbling act of bravery, is running for the seventh-grade student council and will deliver her campaign speech today. She wrote out a very persuasive, funny speech, and based on the rehearsal version I heard last night, I like her odds. I'd totally vote for her.

Demi the Elder, in an even bigger and even more humbling act of bravery, will participate in her first debate tournament of the year today. Ms. Elder joined the junior high debate team last year, and throughout the course of last season, she won a total of one tournament. And that was because the other kid didn’t show up. But, remarkably, she stuck with it, and she has worked very hard to prepare, and if she wins, well, I think I’ll bake her a cake. I think I’ll bake her a cake even if she doesn’t win.

So, with all of this in mind, I fully intended to make sure that they both started the day with a good, nutritious breakfast and rousing pep talks before school this morning. Naturally, things did not go quite as planned.

Instead of preparing breakfast, I sat at the dining room table speed-writing $120 worth of "...Oh! I need $_______ for debate fees/lunch money RIGHT NOW or I can't go to today's tournament/eat lunch..." checks, and a note of permission for Demi the Elder to leave school early for the debate tournament (none of which I was aware they needed until, ahem, very, very recently).

Demi the Elder’s “good, nutritious breakfast” was about to be the last leftover doughnut from Friday night’s sleepover (uck) until I intervened at the last moment and traded the stale doughnut for a granola bar and some yogurt, most of which she left on the table anyway.

The Elder couldn’t find her shoes, The Younger had misplaced her house key, and they both ran out the door late for the bus, with me feebly calling words of encouragement from the doorstep.

And yes, of course, they left behind the lunch money (Demi the Younger) and the note of permission (Demi the Elder). So my morning commute to work included a detour to the junior high that, thanks to road work and the world’s longest stoplight, made me 40 minutes late for work.

Some days, all we can hope for is that our children will succeed in spite of our best efforts.

7 comments:

Jenny said...

Judging from their mama's linguistic skills, I'm sure they will both succeed. I shudder to imagine the Junior Hell er, High years with my brood.

Anonymous said...

I think you might wanna consider going easy on yourself and getting a store-bought cake. On the good days, I like to think that what I do as a Dad and as a SOP (supervisor of people) is to bask in the reflected glory of their fine work. In reality, I know how much I contribute -- and I know how much you contribute to the coolness of the Demis. They ain't doin' this "in spite" of anything.

Julie Marsh said...

That is so awesome, on both counts. Way to go, Demis!

I'm definitely in favor of a treat, whether either one or both win or not.

Meghan said...

DOOD. Your grrrls RAWK. THEY R KOOL.

I can't wait to find out what happens! I am going to call you tonight to find out!

Meghan said...

DOOD. Your grrrls RAWK. THEY R KOOL.

I can't wait to find out what happens! I am going to call you tonight to find out!

TwinsGoddess said...

Well, I already know that Demi the Younger did not win the election. There were only two seats on the student council up for grabs, and 10 kids running, and apparently everyone just voted for their friends from the elementary schools they attended last year, and her school, being a smaller one, ended up with no representatives.

But she's taking it very well. She said, "...this election was just as dumb as the real presidential election from last year."

Well said, my darling.

Anonymous said...

Ah, the best laid plans....dontcha love those last minute "Oh, I need...?"