Well, of course it didn't go as planned. Mostly it was just the 3 C's: cooking, cleaning and corraling toys. However, there were a few truly wonderful moments during the week. The boys saw both their grandparents and had two playdates with children their age. Henry helped me hang colored plastic eggs on the tree out front so the Easter Bunny would know to stop at our house next week. We also made an impromptu visit to the "tool store". Henry had no idea such a place existed. I am going to take him to Menard's more often. Free parking and more tools than this three year old has ever seen. Much better than the expensive downtown museums!
Speaking of the backyard, check out the photos of Henry doing a little spring cleaning. He's a great help and so industrious. He doesn't get it from me but I try to encourage him nonetheless.
All week long people kept saying to me, "It must be wonderful to have a whole week of vacation with your boys." Hmmm, vacation? Really? People don't say to stay-at-home-moms, "It must be really great to be on vacation every single day of your kids' lives," do they? Sure I'm not heading out to teach at 7:45, but I'm not sitting on the couch eating bon-bons either. I'm still up at 5 am and not sitting down until 9 pm. Vacation, time-off and holiday are all terms that have no relevance in my life these days.
Sunday morning during breakfast, I pointed out a robin hopping through the backyard. Sensing our presence at the window, the bird began to head away from the house. Henry asked me about the the robin's actions as I was clearing the table. I mumbled my standard, before coffee answer: "I have no idea, Henry."
Next thing I know, H has slid the door open and is shouting, "Robin, whaddya doing there?" I was trying so hard not to laugh, I thought tears would come from my eyes. "He goin' gramma's house, mom....robin's gramma's house." Now we know.
Speaking of the backyard, check out the photos of Henry doing a little spring cleaning. He's a great help and so industrious. He doesn't get it from me but I try to encourage him nonetheless.
All week long people kept saying to me, "It must be wonderful to have a whole week of vacation with your boys." Hmmm, vacation? Really? People don't say to stay-at-home-moms, "It must be really great to be on vacation every single day of your kids' lives," do they? Sure I'm not heading out to teach at 7:45, but I'm not sitting on the couch eating bon-bons either. I'm still up at 5 am and not sitting down until 9 pm. Vacation, time-off and holiday are all terms that have no relevance in my life these days.
I'm not really complaining--I had plenty of days off before the boys were born. I read books, did crafts, gardened and traveled. I watched hours and hours of BBC mysteries, Friends episodes and talk shows but still couldn't fill all my time. Now it's the complete opposite, I multitask while multitasking. "Finding Balance" is a concept for glossy magazine articles. This is real life.
Well, I'm off to fold some some laundry as I brush my teeth and read the mail. A perfectly normal evening around here.
I so agree about the SAHMom thing. I mean, seriously, it's H-A-R-D work people. I'd love to stay home but I also love my sanity. I definitely think it is great for some people, I'm just not one of those people. We love going to Home Depot...Jordan has to ride on all the riding lawn mowers. :) Can't beat free!
ReplyDeleteAmen. I can't believe it when my married friends say things like "Really? I don't see why you don't have time to read. When my husband was out of town for 3 days I read two books after the kids were in bed." They fail to mention that they didn't do laundry or dishes or change the cat litter or take out the garbage or break down the cardboard in the garage or mow the lawn or go grocery shopping or pay all the bills. Reading is an easy thing to accomplish when you put your life on hold for a few days. My weekends and vacations are anything but "life on hold." Wouldn't trade it for the world, but it is a lot of work to be on top of everything all by yourself. Great post!
ReplyDeleteSomeone recently lent me a book, and I never even got to open it. I returned it after two weeks, and she asked how I enjoyed it. I told her it looked good on my nightstand. She was puzzled. I laughed. One of these days, just not one in the near future.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to spend a nice week with the boys. Would you send Henry to my place when he's done with your back yard? Ours could use some cleaning. That's a sweet picture. :)
Him cleaning up is just adorable!
ReplyDeleteAnd multi-tasking is way better than eating bon-bons anyways! :)
Totally Agree, vacation does not exist when you are the mom of two busy toddlers. But these days will go by so fast, you will feel you want them back! What a good helper!
ReplyDelete