Lunch Box Nemesis

Domino likes to be first in line at school. With our long commute we’ve been getting to school earlier than we expected, so by default he’s been the first kid in line almost every day. Occasionally we’ll hang out in the car playing with Leapsters and staying warm as long as possible, but most days Domino is ready and eager to hit school and take the #1 spot in line headed for his classroom.

That is – until about 2 weeks ago. We arrived our usual 20+ minutes early and headed out to the playground for our routine early line up. As soon as we rounded the corner and headed through the gate – there it was – the pink lunchbox placed squarely at the head of the line with no child in sight. Domino stopped dead in his tracks. I could see the gears in his head spinning “What is that? How did it get there? What does it mean??” Once he processed through the “what does it mean” I saw the realization wash over his entire body that he was not first in line after all. “No big deal” I explained to him, "that girl’s mom is probably working in the classroom today and they’re already inside." He took that answer pretty well and proudly stood in line in the #2 spot. And the girl? Proudly pranced over to claim her #1 spot in line just after the first bell rang and lead everyone into the classroom.

We arrived the next day to the same pink lunchbox. And the next day. And the next day. It didn’t seem to matter just how early we got there, each morning we were greeted by the pink lunchbox of doom. And each day “Little Miss Line Leader” sauntered out with even more impudence and more than once a catty “I’m first in line AGAIN” with a smirk and a hip cock. I noticed her mom leaving one morning with no sign of LMLL – so I casually (cornered) asked where her daughter was hiding. She explained that they go and buy breakfast at the school cafeteria “because it’s just so much easier than making it at home” and then she leaves her daughter to “hang out and stay warm inside the classroom until the bell rings”. Here my kids and I have been freezing our asses off (me with wet hair and flip flops, often without a sweatshirt) in the 50 degree chilly morning while she’s inside enjoying the warmth and a nice hot cup of cocoa!

Friday was the last straw. We arrived around our usual time and just as I was getting my guys out of the car, LMLL and her mom rolled up into the parking spot next to us in their mini-van. I swear their car hadn’t even come to a complete stop and that kid was flinging herself out the car door and sprinting full force to playground. Meanwhile I’m trying to grab my 2 kids, Domino’s lunchbox, his baseball hat, homework bag, library books for the classroom, and both boys’ jackets all while unhooking their booster seatbelts and juggling my cup of now cold coffee. Domino gave chase in a valiant attempt to race her to the head of the line, but damn that girl can run like the wind. Domino was devastated. Halfway down the path he realized he didn't stand a chance and he fell to the ground sobbing big wet heavy tears . When I finally (dragged) brought him to the line, LMLL had the 5 year old nerve to laugh at him, point and say “Ha! Ha! I beat you!! You’ll never be first again!!” Domino puddled in a mass of dejection again at my feet. Her mom scolded her (sorta) and (sorta) tried to get her to give up the space because we “had technically gotten to school first”, but she was having nothing to do with surrender. (In her defense, she had gotten it fair and square, but a little good sportsmanship would have been nice.) I shrugged my shoulders at the mom, tried to act like it was really no big deal (“They are all going to the same place anyway! He’ll get over it. She sure is fast!”). So off they went to celebrate their victory over a cozy breakfast indoors while we were left standing in the chilly morning air to stare at the pink lunchbox reminder of our loss.

Which leads me to this morning. We (intentionally) left 10 minutes earlier than usual and were the first to arrive at school. I had been prepping Domino all morning that if we should get there first, it was really important to not gloat, remember her feelings too, be a good friend – all the different things I could think of in trying to teach him how to win gracefully.

I am embarrassed to say just how much pleasure I got out of seeing LMLL’s face as she turned the corner to discover Domino proudly standing strong in #1. She took it about as well as Domino did when he lost out, and I did my shrug of “oh well” and the “aren’t we all lucky we all get to go to class together?” placate as I watched the mom try to pick up the pieces of her daughter’s defeat. Domino wasn’t as tactful as I had hoped, but I wonder if I was as well.

Wonder what time I’ll need to set my alarm for tomorrow…

Have I really sunken this low?! Yes I know, technically, she is there first so more power to her to be first in line. But, in my defense, I think if they were there each day first STANDING IN LINE FREEZING THEIR BUTTS OFF INSTEAD OF LEAVING A LUNCHBOX LINE HOLDER I would feel differently. I would hope I would feel differently. I seem to be awfully worked up over the supposed injustice of being 2nd in line.

On a happier note: Even though LMLL left her lunchbox in 2nd place today, many kids tried to cut in front of it when they arrived. Domino was very gallant and made sure her place (behind him) was secure. She probably doesn’t appreciate that as much as I do…


*Updated 11/2/07: This morning, we arrived first again. Domino gave up his space with a little convincing as I told him she needed a turn being first too. But, as it turns out - we're not the only ones who have been very frustrated with the "lunch box line holder". When the teacher came out today, she removed LMLL's bag from the line, told her she needed to stand at the end of the line, and said "We've already talked about this several times. If you want to be first, you need to stay in line." Amen!

(P.S. - Rascal took that photo of me this morning. I was just making a silly face in general, but it seemed to fit this post.)