I woke up my crew at the crack o' dawn this morning, so we could go to the polls together before school.
But then life happened--one kid dawdled over breakfast, another spilled something on his shirt. We didn't get out the door as early as I hoped, but I still used the rushed time in the car for a lesson:
"This is VERY important, guys. People died so we can have this right, and Dad and I take it very seriously. Americans who don't vote are seriously disregarding the sacrifice of those who came before them."
And then we pulled up to the polling place. The line snaked out the door, down the sidewalk, and around the side of the building. God bless the great state of Oklahoma.
"Rats," I muttered. "I don't think we'll have time for this right now."
Stephen reached out his arm and gave me his best serious, grown-up look. "Mom, really, I'd be happy to miss some school today so I can learn about the voting process."
Cheeky kid.
"Ariel!" shouted Corrie. "I want to vote for Ariel!"
My grand civics lesson wasn't turning out quite as I'd hoped. So we abandoned the crack o' dawn voting initiative, went to school, and we'll try again after the bell rings this afternoon. In the meantime, my kids' school is having a mock election today, and I'm eager to hear the results (though if the discussions my kids have been bringing home are any indication, I think it's clear that many kids are getting good information from their parents. God bless the great state of Oklahoma.)
And while we're on the topic of the election, Robin of Pensieve has rounded up some of the freebies being offered as incentives to voters today. Because, you know, nothing says "democracy" like a free donut, cookie or ice cream cone. America is alive and well, my friends, and evidently she's also on a sugar rush.
Now, go vote. It's a very big day.
