She's Gone.

5am NOT 5pm.  Our little one was leaving today.  The SW said she would pick her up at around 5.  In my mind, every time she said 5, she was saying 5pm.  In her mind, every time she said 5, she was saying 5am.  We had plans for her last day with us.  We were going to have cupcakes (a goodbye tradition).  We were going to take a family picture of all the kids together (a goodbye tradition). I was going to finally choose some of her favorite books to send with her (a goodbye tradition).  I was going to braid her hair one last time.  My husband was going to be home from work.  My kids were going to be home from roller skating.  We were going to have a proper goodbye.

Instead, the doorbell rang at 5am, when everyone was asleep.  The little one had a hard time sleeping last night, so I was with her in the living room chair.  No one else heard the doorbell.  Luckily, I had everything neatly packed.  I had her clothes and shoes laid out.  I had her diaper bag ready to go, except that space left for her favorite books.

I had to dress her in a flash. I had to grab a banana for her instead of feeding her a proper meal.  I had to hand over the diaper bag without books.  I had to say goodbye to her while I was in my pajamas.

But the worst part of getting the time wrong is that no one else got to say goodbye.  My kids will wake up this morning, and she will be gone.

She's gone.  We knew she was going, but NOT LIKE THIS!

UPDATE:  The kids all took the fact that she was gone when she left just fine.  Basia cried a few tears, but I think that was mostly because I was teary.

Miss Independent said, "Who is coming next?"  She later said, "I love everyone and want everyone to stay."  I think it will be hardest on her because she loves having a roommate.