For a second this morning, I thought *I* was the one going to school. I was sound asleep (maybe even snoring), when I heard a panicked voice cry, "Hey! It's 7:15! I thought you guys were already up! You don't want to be late on your first day, do you?!" It was my mom, and she was shocked to see us still in bed. "Us" being myself, a 37-year-old woman, and my 8-year-old son, who snuck into Mama and Daddy's bed in the middle of the night.

I reached for my cellphone and the alarm was set for 6:45 a.m. It even had the little alarm clock icon still next to the time. But no time to try to figure out how I slept through it, we had to rush to school!

My mom -- who moved in with us this summer to care for our son/her grandson, Beaumont -- was already dressed and looking lovely. As for me, I threw on some old jeans, a little face powder and a ballcap. I did put on a fresh T-shirt. (I didn't want to look too crusty, you know!). Beau brushed his teeth and hurried into the shower. Luckily, he picked out his clothes the night before. My mom and I got his backpack and breakfast ready. Beau ate swiftly and, worth noting, didn't get any drops of ketchup on his brand new Star Wars T-shirt.

Because everyone parks and walks on the first day of school, we pulled over on a side street and got ready for the mini-hike. Not even 10 steps onto the playground, I saw a can of Bud Light on the ground. I picked it up and it was half-empty. (Or would that be half-full?) I was actually glad when I spotted a used water bottle a few feet away, so I could carry both. I didn't want anybody to think I was drinking a Bud Light while walking my kid to school -- especially since I don't drink! Thankfully, I found a trash can before we reached the school doors.

We made our way through the thicket of parents in the hallway to Beau's classroom. I realized my little boy was a big third-grader when he was too embarrassed for a hug and kiss good-bye. I think he was even embarrassed I wanted to take a picture of him sitting at his new desk. Hmm, but now I realize maybe he was embarrassed to have a crusty mama who carried a Bud Light through the school playground!