It happened because I had a bunch of dummies I needed to get out of the office. CPR dummies, that is. I know the politically correct term is "manikins," but it's much more fun to say that I shoved six dummies in my trunk, so I reject the politically correct universe. As I made my way out to the car, it dawned on me that I would have to pass Alexis' preschool and the place she goes to for dance class as I ventured to the dummies' home. It made more sense to just pick her up on my way, thereby eliminating the need to drive in one giant rushed circle. Plus, that would mean we might get 20 minutes or so of unsupervised shopping time before it was time for her to tappa-tappa-tappa (plus five Cool Points if you get that reference).
As I pulled into the preschool parking lot, I heard it. The sound of Danger.
Music.
Loud music.
When loud music comes pouring from the walls of our preschool, it can only mean one thing; The Beasts are sleeping. I thought I was safely past Nap 'O Clock when I made the decision to pick up Alexis, but I most certainly was not.
I cautiously opened the door to her classroom, fully expecting the world to end as I did. There aren't many things I fear in life, but twenty sleeping preschoolers is very high on that list. It ranks even higher than twenty awake preschoolers because at least with the awake kids, I can yell, "HEY, LOOK! It's Hannah Montana!" as I run away. Sleeping preschoolers? HOOBOY. Those are ticking bombs.
As I cautiously glanced around the room, I realized that the school had changed the Nap Road Map. Instead of being surrounded by 20 sleeping preschoolers, I was surrounded by 20 VERY DEFINITELY awake Pre-K kids. Our daycare/preschool is of the opinion that all kids need some down time, so even the older ones are required to chill out on a mat for a little bit while the younger ones nap.
The eyes. The laser-beam eyes. There were 40 of them on me, staring and glaring and burning holes in my head. I had to cross the mine field of quietly-awake-and-just-waiting-for-an-excuse-to-attack kids to get to my kid in the next room over. I tip-toed, fists clenched in case I had to defend myself from a rabid Pre-K child. Each cough and sniffle sent me into Battle Mode. I swear the evil little monsters coughed and sniffled extra just because they enjoy scaring the crap out of adults.
I finally managed to Jackie Chan my way across the room, and peered carefully into the next one. I silently chanted, "please be awake please be awake please be awake" as I searched for the familiar brunette curls. Alexis is a BEAST when she is awakened from her now-rare nap. I would rather tie a steak necklace around my neck and poke a sleeping lion with my nose than so much as breathe on a sleeping Alexis.
Every last kid was asleep. Including Alexis.
A lone tear trickled out of my left eye as I thought about the disaster that was about to happen. I was going to poke the Tiny Terrorist, she was going to snarl at me, and all of the other kids would hear her battle cry. It would be like zombies rising from the dead as they all came to life and started attacking me.
It was too late to give up on the mission, so I gingerly tip-toed over to Alexis and gently put my hand on her back. I cringed as she turned her head. I flinched as she rolled over. I nearly screamed with fear as she opened her eyes.
She looked around, trying to process what had woken her up. I could hear the gears in her brain churning as they prepared to let out a battle cry.
Finally, her eyes found me.
I cringed again as I prepared to run for my life.
Her eyes lip up with the recognition and a love-filled smile spread across her mouth. "Momma!" she whispered softly. She leapt up from her cot and wrapped her tiny arms around me.
I'd gladly cross a million mine fields if it meant I could relive that moment again and again and again.
