Early to rise

There are times when I can't ask my family to help out with the girls every time I need them. They are always gracious and help out when I need them, but they all have lives and they need to live them. With basketball season starting there are a couple of times during the fall and winter when he's out of town and I need to get the girls off to school. But...I don't want to go in later (I start work at 7 a.m.) because I don't want to get off later. It's a dilemma that's for sure. One day a couple of weeks ago, I had to get the girls to their before school day care by 6:30 ... right when the place opened. I was so proud of them because they had to get by 5 and out the door before they are even usually awake. These are days when I just want to take them on a shopping spree or buy them an American Girl doll to say thanks. But, with Christmas coming up, they are going to have to settle for a big thank you and a hug. Plus, for Amy, being at the before school day care that Diana typically goes to after school was the thrill of a lifetime. She got to hang out with big kids, play with all the games and toys and crafts they have there. She was more than happy to get up early if that's where she was going to be for an hour in the morning.