(Short version): Mr. Barrett was 30th in line and so we are assured of our desired early start time.

(Long version): A week in advance, several of the families in the neighborhood began to coordinate a plan of attack. It was decided that we would all go out early, together. Or rather, all of the fathers would all go out early, together.

Per the plan, one of our friends did a drive-by at midnight.  If the line was already long, he was planning to stay and then spread the word.  However, when he arrived, there were only about 15 people were in line.  He debated staying but decided it was worth the risk to go home and get some rest.   Following the original plan, the friend returned at 3am and Mr. B showed up a few minutes later.  A couple of people had arrived in-between and our friend let them go ahead of him so that he could be hang out with Mr. B.   There were about 30 people in line ahead of them, most of whom had camped out all night (in sleeping bags).  At 3:40am, Mr. B texted another one of our friends (who had planned to show up at 5am) to encourage him to come out sooner because the line continued to grow at a brisk pace.  Our friend came at 4:30am and by the time he showed up, there were about 60 people in line.  By the time the sun rose around 7am, Mr. B said there were about 100 disheveled, unshaven people in line, desperate for coffee.  Kind of like an Occupy encampment, except with lots of iPads and laptops and without the political signs.  Once the office opened at 8am, Mr. B said it took about a minute to process each person, so he got back to the house shortly after 8:30am.

For the 40 degree weather, Mr. B said he was dressed perfectly. He was wearing thermal longjohns, a sophisticated, multi-layered ski jacket, smartwool socks, jeans and a sweater. To be honest, he looked kind of sexy – like a  European skiier. He also had a winter hat and gloves, a stadium blanket, and a comfortable, fold-up chair to sit on. I also packed him two piping-hot mugs of tea, a tray full of home-made triple-chocolate brownies and lots of trail mix. He told me I gave him too much food, but he was able to share some of the brownies with some friends.

He said it was no big deal (ha!) and that he’d do it again. I was like, “well, you’re in luck, because we have two more kids to enroll….”

All in all, a success. I’m a bit embarassed that we had to go through this rigmarole, but I’m glad we did it and it’s over. Until next year.