Okay. . .I really did it!

I have heard of parents leaving their kids at rest stops on family vacations or at home accidentally. Last night I left my son---my only son, my darling, handsome, lovable son. I could not not believe it. Luckily, I only left him at my brother's home (a nice safe place with cousins to hang out with, a fun aunt, and an uncle who will laugh about any situation.) We had gathered for our extended family dinner. Mike was driving home from a trip this weekend, so it was just me as parent. I had sent the girls out to the van. Maddie got Josie buckled in. I went into the house and found Josh and told him we were leaving. I thought he had come out and was in the van, but apparently NOT. I hopped into the driver's seat and away we went. Josie didn't say a word (she sits next to him) Maddie and Aly said they normally can't see Josh over the top of the seat (they sit in the back.) To their credit it was dark outside. Anyway, I get a call on my cellphone from my brother minutes after leaving, "Did you leave anything?" I thought I had gathered everything. All he had to say was "Count your kids," and I turned around and saw Josh wasn't in his seat---oops, my bad! Oh my gosh. I stopped the car, turned around and tried to rationalize in my head how I could let this happen. All the while my daughter Alyssa is getting mad at me for being so mean. After all she said, he could be "crying and broken-hearted." I told her don't worry, he's with Colby and Jamie and they were all laughing on the phone. He even told me Josh was laughing. Still, she reminded me that "this was serious." Shoot. I am losing "mom points" left and right. Anyway, sure enough when I got back to my brother's front door they were all laughing and I was greeted with a "And here she is---Mom of the year!" My wonderful sister-in-law thought fast and had this hilarious moment blogged before I even made it home. (You can read her version---which I admit is pretty darn funny at the Colby and Jamie link I have in my blog list.) Because my brother is you he is, I will not be living this one down anytime soon. So the polls are open if you want to nominate me for the Mother of the Year award. Thanks, Bro. P.S. Josh was happy last night and gave me a big hug this morning so I think there is no permanent damage done.