School Daze

At 7:15am I wake up PreT-2 and Cub Scout. The rule is get dressed and come to the kitchen for breakfast. PreT-2 is dressed and ready to go. Cub Scout comes in sans shoes and socks. I ask, "Where are your shoes and socks?" "I don't know," he replies. I remind him they are probably in his room where he undressed the night before, and send him back to his room. About 10 min later, he comes back, no shoes, no socks. "Where are your shoes and socks," I ask for the second time. "I don't know," he answers, shaking his head sadly, as if he truly is saddened by this. "Go get your shoes and socks," I say sternly. I am not sad, but starting to feel frustrated. Five minutes later, I walk into the kitchen to see him eating his cereal, NOT WEARING SHOES AND SOCKS. I take a deep breath and ask in a very soft voice, "Where are your socks and shoes?" He responds casually, unconcerned, "I can't find them." He spoons a very large amountl of cereal into his mouth. I took a big step back. This is important if you feel like you might smack someone... and say, somewhat less calmly than before, "GO get your shoes and socks. He sighs, gets up from the chair and returns, I swear, less than a minute later with...TA DA...shoes and socks. "Where were they?" I ask. "In my room." After breakfast, I send him to get his backpack. Big mistake. We reinact the scene above until I feel my eye is twitching. Finally, I send his sister to get the pack. Their ride is going to be here in 2 minutes. We've searched the house and I'm frantic to find this thing. He remains unconcerned. PreT-2 finally announces she's found it. Where? In his room. Their ride pulled up. I grabbed the backpack away from PreT and opened the door. I threw that thing as far as I could towards the waiting carpool and yelled, "GO TO SCHOOL!" How do 8 year old boys ever live to be 9? AND, how are we, their mothers, not all in institutions babbling.."b-b-b-b-b-b-b"?