School Absences

I received the nicest letter from Allie's school principal in the mail a while back.
It went something like this:

"Your child has reached 6 absences. Students are only allowed 10. If your child is tardy 3 times, it's considered an absence. If you exceed the 10 absences, you will be fined up to 500 dollars and spend 6 months in jail.

I couldn't wait to speak to the principle about all these so-called 'absences' they were referring to.
Turns out, according to New Mexico law, the only way a child's absence is excused is if you have a doctor's note for everyday they missed school. A parents phone call counts about as much as an actor's view on politics. If your child doesn't have a fever, then they MUST be at school...even if they feel like poop.

Imagine my anxiety when tardy-ness threatens it's dooming head in the morning. Whether it be a lost shoe, a forgotten backpack, a cat that seems to have a gracious up chuck reflex, or you realize that your offspring has worn the same pair of pants going on the 4th day now, because those sainted pair of pants are the only one's that 'don't ride up, don't fall down, and don't make her look like she's waiting for a flood.'

To make sure we make it to school on time, I did what any loving, responsible, caring parent would do. I told my Kindergartner to watch for cops so I could speed.
There was training involved. I had to teach her that on a military base, there are many different forms of MP's (military police) at least 4 different vehicles, that can be the stopping force at my getting her to school on time.

2 mornings ago, Allie was able to put her training to good use.

We were running late due to a missing library book.
On the way to school, (which is only a mile and a half away) I passed construction vehicles like it was the Indy 500.

I flew over speed bumps like they were marshmallows.

We, in unison, questioned why the guy in the red truck in front of us just had to be going the speed limit at a time like this? Didn't he realize we were racing to beat the 5 minute warning bell, and that my 'permanent record' depended on it!?

My mother taught be to be a law abiding citizen. But, i do remember as a kid, in the late 70's, driving in our blue Volkswagen Bus and hearing these words coming from the drivers seat..."kids, i need to speed, so watch for cops please"!