Being "THAT" mom

Yesterday there was an earthquake on the East Coast. The epicenter was down in Virginia, but we felt it up in Boston. Everything is fine up here. I've been busy dealing with clients and looking at buildings for post-earthquake damage.

Today was the end of summer potluck at Ellie's school. A wednesday. The potluck was supposed to start at 5:30, before I usually pick Ellie up. I figured, I'll leave work a little early, swing by the grocery store and pick up a fruit salad or something else. Good plan.

However, I was too swamped with work to leave early. In fact, I left later than I usually do to get to Ellie just before daycare closes. I no longer had time to go past the grocery store. I dashed into the convenience store near the office and grabbed a bag of chips, some salsa, and a bag of Oreos. I got to daycare later than usual, just minutes before they close and just about half an hour late for the potluck dinner.

I found Ellie on the playground with a teacher. Ellie comes running, "All friends at the party mommy. I wanna go to the party!". We went into the party, I pulled out my "dishes".

I figured I was "that mom" today.

However, I was wrong.

I wasn't that mom because another mom locked her keys in her car and by the time she got the car open, her dish for tonight had spoiled because of the heat and she grabbed some off-brand soda for the potluck. I also wasn't that mom because another mom went to Costco and learned that her debit card had been cancelled due to fraudulent activity and only had cash for a box of crackers. And I wasn't that mom because there was a dad who stopped at the convenience store near daycare and grabbed single servings of string cheese.

In fact, the teachers all LOVED the Oreos.

Some moms and I discussed the fact that how great could a potluck be during the week at daycare? I mean, we put our kids in daycare because we all work and are super busy!! We don't have time to cook/bake something for a potluck.

All in all, it was fun. Ellie had a blast at the party. And it was great to see that I'm not the only crazy, manic, working mom (or dad) out there trying to do everything.