Random Ramblings on Thursday

We made it through the first week of school, relatively unscathed.

 

It's a small miracle.

 

The kids are adjusting. They are happy.

Sydney got up enough courage to buy lunch at school. She's so proud of how grown-up she is... it makes me laugh. She loves being one of the big kids... and she's grown so much in the last year that she really isn't one of the smallest kids in her class. That's a big deal for a girl who got asked if she was wearing "double-diapers" at the pool (required for kids under 3) until 6 months ago.

 

I spent the first week of school in bed. Okay, not entirely... but my gym was closed for cleaning, there was no volunteering to do, preschool wasn't open and one can only clean her house so many times before it isn't dirty anymore.

 

I took a stay-cation. A stay-at-home mom's version of a stay-cation. I sent the kids to school and went back to bed. then i took a long shower and put my pj's back on. then i did some cleaning, which only takes 30 minutes when you're kids aren't there to mess it up or distract you, and then i watched tv. oh, and i got to eat in peace. whenever and whatever i felt like... without having to set a good example for anyone.

 

and i didn't feel guilty... not one little bit. i've worked hard for that peace and quiet. besides, it's over as quick as it comes as soon as they roll in at 2:30. backpacks, papers, pencils, food, lunch boxes are flying, "mom, mom, mom" is being yelled and all of a sudden my serenity is gone.

 

this week, i had preschool open house and swim tryouts. you wouldn't believe how much time it takes to input 100 swimmers into a computer and then notify them of the results... and do it correctly. 9 awesome ladies, 5 hours, 5 laptops and several cramped fingers, shoulders and legs later, we got the job done. it was freaking awesome. i love what women can get accomplished when we work together.

 

but i haven't slept much and we're going on a "last hurrah for summer" to lake powell this weekend and i'm frantically trying to get ready for about 4 different major events all at once.

 

i need a nap.

 

i need a shower.

 

i love that i have so many great friends and that my kids are surrounded by such positive role models. we are busy but they love the lives they are living.

 

it makes all the madness worth it.

watching them grow and develop into these PEOPLE who really can "do it all by myself" instead of just saying that while i stand by and get frustrated because they are frustrated that they can't do it and eventually give up in a screaming mass of tears. nope. most of the time they do it and i don't even have to think about it.

 

Whoa.that happened fast.

 5 years ago, we moved into this house.

5 years isn't such a long time in the life of an adult.

 but in the life of a kid...

we went from kindergarten to 5th grade,

diapers to competitive swimming,

 crawling to bike-riding.

 

my mom used to always tell me, don't blink, or you'll miss it.

 

it's the truest statement in the world.

 

the thing is, you don't want to miss it. it's hard, it's exhausting, it's largely unappreciated...

BUT,

it's the greatest adventure in the world.

so, whatever you do,

 just. don't. blink.

 

I know I'm not going to.

I can't wait to see what happens next.