Today was our town's stop on Amgen Tour of California. Yeah, some of the world's most elite bike riders rode to the finish line of stage 2, and just like last year, it was pouring rain.

Look, we're in the second half of May. ENOUGH WITH THE RAIN. (I'm looking at you, Lance.)

Last Friday night, my eleven-year-old daughter had the traditional (for her teacher) overnight in the school gym. After picking the kids up and listening to them bicker all afternoon, I said to her "I'm SO GLAD you are going to be at the overnight tonight. There will be less fighting! Peace and quiet! Yay!"

She gave me a look that could kill, and I just smirked at her. Because I'm a heartless, horrible mother.

At drop-off time, armed with a casserole full of chicken masala and couscous, a plate of (store-bought) cookies, because I am a heartless, horrible mother, and enough luggage for her to spend the summer in Europe, we headed out to the school.

"Mom, you really hurt my feelings earlier."

"Did I? You know, I didn't mean to do that. But I'm not going to deny being happy that you'll have a fun experience tonight while simultaneously giving the rest of us a break from the drama."

"You aren't going to miss me?" Her eyes met mine in the rear view mirror.

"Of course, we always miss you when you aren't with us."

"Really?"

"Really."

She seemed satisfied with that answer. We headed into the gym, and dropped off her sleeping bag, the food, her 900 suitcases full of who-knows-what and then I gave her a big hug. She's almost exactly my size now, and it is weird to be able to look her straight in the face. Right after I hugged her, I got a blast of some sort of pollen or something that caused both eyes and my nose to immediately itch and leak.

Backing away from my daughter, I scrubbed at my eyes and sniffed, only to see one of the other moms grinning at me and making the "awwwww" face.

"Is this the first time you've left her overnight?" the mom asked. "It's so sweet that you're crying."

"These? Oh, no. These are tears of joy." I said.

"Moooooom!" said my daughter.

It was quite a peaceful evening at home. Heh.