Adrenaline or How to Scare Your Children 101

Yesterday I got a call from a friend saying that our elementary school was in lock down because there had been a shooting nearby. The police had not caught the gunman. At this point I finally registered that there had been helicopters flying overhead for quite some time. It always surprises me how quickly my heart rate shoots up when something is happening to one of my kids. We were supposed to go to the school and pick up our children (school was done- I was actually waiting for Rachel to walk in the door). So, I got the other kids in the car and made the quick drive to the school. I was pretty impressed with the organization and precaution that the school took. The kids were all pretty scared. Even though the teachers tried to downplay the situation, it is pretty hard to downplay a lock down. Our school (built pre-Columbine) has exterior doors and windows. When the school goes into lock down, they shut the blinds, turn off the lights and have the kids lay down flat on the ground. Pretty spooky for a little kid.

The shooting was just south of us. The police shut down three schools in the area as a precaution until the gunman was caught. Although it turned out that there was never any real danger to the schools, I was happy to see how well implemented the lock down policy was.

On a happier note, it is a beautiful day! The girls insist it is spring and keep pulling their shoes off to play outside. Paul and JT are skiing up at Sundance- I hope they have something to ski on! I am trying to ignore the path of destruction Thing 1 and Thing 2 leave wherever they go. Perhaps we will go for a walk to see the goats and chickens when Katie gets up from her nap!
Thing 1 and Thing 2 (And yes, Adrie is wearing a slip. Because she is a princess and a slip is a beautiful thing. Try to tell her otherwise. Also try to keep real clothes on that child. It is a full time job (oh yea, it is MY full time job at which I fail miserably).)