Oh brother(s)

Jimmy, Reagan and I have an interview today to see if Reagan (12) can be accepted into a different school next year. It has been a long, drawn-out process that began in January. Forms, short-answer questions, essays, and recommendations were due in February. We had to follow up with even more necessary information in March that had to be sent to the school, just to get to this interview point. We meet with the principal later this morning.

Hoping to remind Reagan of the importance of her answers in the interview and to prepare her for some possible questions, Jimmy began to pepper her with potential inquiries, leaving her frustrated and stammering. Tears soon followed as her anxiety rose.

Realizing this activity was proving too stressful, Jimmy quickly lightened the mood by asking a much easier question, "Reagan, what could you bring to our school?"

Hayden (5), mouth full of cake and head full of "boy," interrupted Reagan's response and loudly proclaimed as he circled his arms around in a Vanna White, Wheel of Fortune, gesture, "She can bring your school lots and lots of TOOTS!"

Laughter errupted, tension magically broke and the tears quickly dried. Reagan perked up as the mock interview became light-hearted and fun...thank goodness.

Please think of her (us) this morning as we go through the process. Fortunately (?), Landon will be with us so maybe the littlest brother can lighten the mood during the real deal as well. Hopefully, though, no mention of "toots" or other bodily functions little boys are obsessed with will enter our interview conversations.