Don't These People Have Jobs

I am having one of those "want to stay at home" moments today. The weather is getting nicer and my babies are so hard to leave at daycare/school. They are so much fun and full of life and excitement. They have their bad days just like anyone else, but I just want to eat them up most of the time. They don't seem to be missing out on anything, they are healthy, well adjusted and excited to see The Husband or me when we pick them up at the end of the day. It is just hard 8 to 5ing it everyday. It makes me really cherish the time I do have with them. I savor their kisses, laughs and questions (with The Boy anyway).

Yesterday, out of the blue, The Boy asked me how Santa Claus gets his mail. I explained that the mailman gets it to him. "No our mailman," he clarified. Of course it has to be a different mailman with a plane or helicopter or some other flying device. We were talking out the postal process regarding Santa and then with all seriousness he asks, "Santa doesn't really have a mailbox does he?" I said, "Of course not, he has a big chute for all those bags of mail." That made sense to him. End of discussion.

These are the conversations I love. On the way to and from school, we get to the heart of those mind wrenching questions like does Santa have mailbox. What I don't understand is how this is the time I have with my kids and then on the way to school I can see all these people (many with kiddos), running, getting Starbucks, riding bikes, and just hanging out. Some of these adults do this everyday. I see them every day. In my mind, I ask myself, don't they work? Are all these people independently wealthy? Aren't we in a recession? How can these moms and dads drop their kids off at school in running clothes and talk about going to get coffee after drop off EVERY DAY, yet still afford to send their child(ren) to private preschool? Where do I sign up for that lifestyle? What do you mean you only work two days a week? What do you do exactly?

I know, it is a lot to be contemplating. Don't get me wrong, we are very blessed. And, I thank God everyday that The Husband and I have fairly stable jobs. Our kids have clothes, food, good health and toys (not a neccesity). We can make our mortgage payment every month. But, I still can't help but wonder how those folks do it.