It's a wonder my kids survive through breakfast. First there's the mad dash to see who's first to the table. Kyle and Zach were fighting over this title this morning. I didn't see, I didn't even have the kitchen lights turned on yet.
Next it's jockeying for position at the table. Our table seats 8. There's no configuration that allows all the children to sit with one empty chair between them. I don't know why this is so important but it is. Kyle's the biggest stickler about this, "I don't want to sit next to anybody!" He's going to be the office grump in the corner cube, I can tell. So after several minutes of musical chairs they are all seated to their "I can't seat next to him/her!" satisfaction.
Finally breakfast was served. The kids are on a "no milk" kick. But only a couple of them at a time. And it changes daily. Half the time I don't hear (or bother to listen, I'll admit. There's no tea yet in this equation!) which way they want their cereal. So this morning I instated the overriding mommy rule, milk for everyone!
And then the boxes... I hate cereal boxes. I'm going to start buying cereal in bags so I don't have to deal with boxes (only I'm afraid then the cereal will turn to dust in my oh, so organized pantry). And the way my kids go through cereal and different varieties of cereal, I'm not going to take the time to deal with those clear cereal Tupperware plastic things. So boxes. Of which we had 3 this morning. And everyone wanted the Frosted Flakes one. Fine, next overriding mommy rule, no boxes on the table!
As if my temples weren't throbbing enough, Emily started kicking Ally. Or was it Ally kicking Emily? I heard two stories so there was probably kicking on both sides. Ally was nearest at hand so she was moved. The only open spot away from Emily was next to Kyle. Which made him mad and he pushed his cereal away and said he wouldn't eat until she was moved again. And Kelly's chair was crooked which was bothering Emily. And then Zach called Kyle a baby which made Kyle even more upset and then...
I had my cup of tea in another room so I'm not sure what the final outcome was. If I've learned anything in the last 8 years, it's when to walk away and enjoy a cup of tea while it's still at some temperature above cold. Eventually everyone ate some cereal and the kitchen wasn't destroyed in the process (I paid Kyle a quarter to clear the bowls into the sink).
I'm thinking we should switch to cereal bars and a shot of milk, both of which I hand to the child as they are walking out to the door. Then the bus driver can deal with them fighting over who sits next to whom as they eat breakfast and my tea might still be warm when I sit down to drink it.
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