TAXI!

I have new job. Actually it's an old job I shelved with disdain last August. I am a mom. I am a taxi driver.

Camps started yesterday. One had to be here at 10:30, another there at 11. I mapped out a route, tucking in errands along the way. After all when your second car is a battle cruiser, measuring gallons to the mile, you learn to tuck in errands.

We hit the road early. The first drop off at band camp; a first time for our first year flutist. Reciting the basic rules of camp, I walked her to the door.

Don't be nervous.
Listen.
And most of all have fun. Camp is all about having fun while learning a bit more.

After a quick kiss good bye and promise to pick her up on time the next was stop was at the mechanics to procure our new trailer tires. A normal 10 minute drive took 25 due to road construction. This waiting backed up the schedule and pressed the oldest fingers to her temples. She hates the thought of being late. She's mine...

Still not to swing into the garage for the tires would mean having to navigate the down to one lane road construction twice. I apologized, and took the turn. The mechanic was out on an errand and his little clock saying he would be back already put him ten minutes overdue. We didn't have time to wait, conditioning camp was calling.

This time the camper was an old pro, having been conditioned last year. She breezed out the door, barely acknowledging driver and still young passenger in the car. Conditioning camp was fun and she was all for it.

Then we were off to the garage again, (still out on errands), Post Office, school offices, and return bottles for the church bottle drive. All the errands made a circle which gladly brought us home. Where the little one and I played games for 30 minutes until we got to pretty much retrace our morning route for the pick up.

The band camper was all smiles. The mechanic was in. And the conditioning camper felt it was a breeze. It should be, she's been participating in one sport form or another for a year now.

Today is another day at camp, which includes the addition of late afternoon swim lessons and food shopping.