The audacity of hope.

As we crept into his room this morning, and lightly awakened him, we smiled and the Deviant Dad softly said, "[Captain], guess what very special day today is."

He thinks hard. And suddenly the light comes over his face.

"It's my Birthday!"

We smile and laugh.

"No, it's the first day of school!"

And so begins another 19 years of disappointing first days of school, none of which will add up to the bliss of a birthday. Although, I must say that the disappointment was probably our fault. I suppose we should have said, "Guess what very special day this is for Mom and Dad." You know, for clarity's sake.

"Looks like we made it..."

Yes, I'm here, I'm queer and I'm blogging. Alright, perhaps not the middle section, but I am for sure feeling quite gay at the moment. Why, you ask? What makes a mediocre mama so chipper at 10:00 on on Friday night? Well (a) the wine, (b) it's Friday night after a long-ass couple of weeks, and (c) the Captain Kid has completed stint with the hellacious babysitter. Yes friends, he's done, I'm done, and from hereon in it's a full day (8:25-6:00) at one school.

Let the good times roll...

But before normal life begins, a little interlude. On Tuesday the Dad drives the Kid up to Grandparent Land and I meet up with the Dad on Wednesday night, kid-free, work-free, ready to play, ready to sleep. Quite a treat for the mediocre mama. Especially seeing as how I'm still negative on personal time off, still trying to fill the hole from my little back surgery stint.

Calgon, take me away...