This is the real story of the day of the Spring Fling. I think that’s how I’ll describe it when I look back on March 23, 2012, when I’m old and my children aren’t at home anymore and I’m remembering things we did together.
First, let me tell you a little about the week leading up to the day of the Spring Fling dance at the elementary school.
It was a very busy week for me at work. I’m an accountant, and it was the end of our fiscal period and quarter, so that’s always a busy time. I also had more meetings than usual that took me away from regular work during the week, so I felt like I was constantly behind, even after staying late.
In addition to Monday night’s run to hip hop class for Jenny, I had a PTA Board Meeting on Tuesday night that went a bit too long and kept me away from my family for a second night. And I’d already agreed to volunteer at the school dance Friday night. So I probably shouldn’t have agreed to take Jenny to the midnight premiere of the Hunger Games movie Thursday night, especially because we had school and work the next day, but I did.
So, it’s finally Friday. The day of course started at midnight with the Hunger Games premiere. It was fun. I already talked about it here. I went to sleep around 3:15 and got up at 5:45 with the baby. So I think it’s understandable that I started my day a little tired.
I had a busy day at work, but I was very excited that an afternoon out of town meeting had been cancelled so I’d have no trouble getting home in plenty of time to help the girls get ready for the dance that started at 6:30. Right? Wrong. I got a call at 4:59 at work that required me to stay a bit late. I shouldn’t have answered, but once I did, it was too late. I called the family to let them know I would be late and they should go ahead and get ready.
I knew we could still make it in time to the dance if I timed everything just right. I got out of work at 5:40 and drove through McDonald’s for a healthy dinner on the way home so that everyone would be able to eat. I got home about 6:05, with dinner, and handed over the food. The girls were already ready, and their friends hadn’t arrived yet. Plenty of time to get to the dance at 6:30, right?
Actually I decided we should take a few extra minutes and leave at 6:30. I told them it would be cool to be fashionably late. I changed clothes, cleared out the back of the car so I could put up the third row seat to fit the friends we were bringing with us and got the baby changed. And we still had time to take a few pictures.
When we got in the car, I remembered that I was almost out of gas and decided to stop at the gas station because I’d hate to run out of gas with five kids in the car (or any other time really). I told the girls we were making a quick stop, and then we’d be on our way.
I have one of those gas caps that doesn’t attach anywhere when it’s off, so I always set it on top of my tire so the wind doesn’t blow it away. I was rushing a bit so we wouldn’t be too late. I unscrewed the gas cap and went ahead and started pumping the gas, then leaned down to set down the gas cap. It fell to the ground and busted into three pieces, but that’s okay. It does that sometimes. What doesn’t normally happen is this: I leaned down to pick up the pieces of the gas cap, and my fat butt hit the fuel dispenser, knocking it out of my car and since I’d of course locked it into dispensing position, spraying fuel all over the back of my clothes. Great. I decided to stop getting gas at that point. We certainly had enough to go to the gas station.
The girls managed not to see any of what was happening outside of the car because they were having a great time rocking to some loudJackson5 music. I hopped in and told them we needed to take one quick detour back to the house so I could change clothes again because I might smell a bit like gasoline. They agreed since the fumes were immediately filling the car. I rolled down the windows, turned up the music, and headed home.
I ran in the house (sort of – I never actually run), changed my clothes, and headed back out after a quick stop to tell Lee why I was there. I believe he knew since he could smell the gasoline. I suspect I probably still smelled a little like gasoline because of what got through to my skin, but no one said anything if I did.
Even though I felt like all of these things were a sign that I just needed to go home and sleep, we headed on to the dance, and we made it there at about 6:45, fashionably late. And everyone had a good time. And after the dance, and after sending Jenny off with a friend to see the Hunger Games again at 10:00 that night because she has endless energy, I finally got a good night’s sleep.
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You are like SuperMom!! Can’t believe you just kept your cool and kept on going. I am the one who loses it…especially when I have had little sleep (or food). You pulled off a great night for your girls!
I usually manage to keep calm in these sorts of situations – I’ll admit I was a bit thrown off by this one, but we pushed through. I think if either of my girls had been bad, or if the baby hadn’t been willing to sleep on me the whole time we were out, I probably would have snapped!
I giggled a little about teens with their boundless energy—totally true. And then I giggled again, because apparently they get it from us. I didn’t even blink an eye at your crazy day, because we Moms with kids who are school age are totally with you in that boat. Fun post, Erin
Haha…true – I can’t even claim it was an incredibly unusual day.
I hate getting gas; they need to invent cars that never run out or at least get me a gas fairy who fills me up every night.
The girls looked great for the dance! You are SUPER MOM!
Yes! I hate stopping for gas, so it seems like I’m always almost out because I refuse to stop until it’s very very close to empty.
OH…that is so me!
Glad it’s not just me
I cannot imagine having that happen! Did it ruin the clothes you were wearing? I also wondered if the smell lingered in the car. I have cloth seats, so this would have been horrible for me.
I *think* the clothes are okay – and I wasn’t wearing something nice. The ride between my house and the gas station is just a couple minutes and I tried not to really sit back in my seat to try to keep the gas off the seat. I don’t smell it anymore, so I think it’s okay. Of course, I think my nose doesn’t work because I never smell anything
Gas is pretty powerful though, so I believe I would smell it.
Oh my goodness! I would have totally freaked out that gas got poured all over me! Wow. You are like the queen of calmness or something. And driving your kid to see the same movie at 10 pm too? Wish you were my mom.
I didn’t actually take her to the 10:00 movie – I let her friend’s mom handle that one
But I did stay up until she left.
Just reading about your day has made me feel exhausted!
Me, too
way to go mama! sounds like you’re a great mom…even if you’re a little tired
take a seat, put your feet up.. you deserve it 
I’m always tired, so I might as well try to give my kids some fun experiences, right?
Haha! The life of a mom, huh? I can’t remember the last time I got enough sleep to be even remotely coherent.
Me neither.
Ughhhh a gas bath. Not fun at all.
Nope!
Wow, what energy you must have! The gas thing makes me happy I live in NJ where we aren’t legally allowed to pump our own gas!
That is awesome!
I am tired reading that! And I’m a little thankful right now that I live in NJ where it is illegal to pump your own gas because I’m certain if I have to pump gas routinely I will spill it on myself. Glad you got the good night’s sleep!
Wow, you really handled this whole week like a pro. I have nothing but admiration for you for multitasking while being sleep-deprived and staying calm while being soaked in gasoline!
Thanks
Wow! You put me to shame. I’m impressed. I will use your energy to motivate me to “get er done” today.
thanks! (and great story telling)
I don’t know how much energy I had, but I did get through it
Oh my, I’m exhausted just reading that!!
I’m exhausted in general
i HATE the smell of gas – i can never get it out of clothes! kudos to you for grace under fire!
Holy cow. Yeah, you were a little tired! And um…I don’t really run anywhere either. But I’m glad everyone had fun! The girls were adorable in their fancy dresses.
I’m pretty certain I would not have survived the day. You are awesome!
That sounds exhausting. I need a nap from reading that. Glad you made it through in one piece. The gas-covered-clothes sounded like it could have been dangerous!