Routine Days

Timers on coffee pots are a beautiful thing. I like coffee, but even if I didn't, I think I'd like the smell of it, and waking up to that after a not so great night of sleep was the perfect start to my day. I couldn't fall asleep until 2 this morning, then the ridiculous rain woke me up at 4. I did get back to sleep until 7:15 when I had to get up because, apparently, there was some sort of mix-up and I received a bladder the size of a gnat. Seriously. Just ask anyone who has taken a long car trip with me. Anywho, once I'm up I'm up, so here I sit.

The Exhibits are still sleeping and the house is eerily quiet. I am trying to enjoy these last peaceful moments. School starts again tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it. Unlike many parents, I really enjoy having my kids home from school for extended periods. While some folks crave that routine, I despise it. I love letting the kids sleep in and those expectant smiles when they do wake up that says, "I'm happy to be home, Mom. What are we gonna do today?". They find happiness in such little things like buidling a fort, which, sadly must come down today, and making up silly songs. One of them even thinks laundry is "fun". School days feel hectic and chaotic and I feel like a slave to the schedule.

In my teacher days, this time of year was the hardest for me. I'd have to reel the kids back in after the winter break. My classroom ran like a well-oiled machine with a heavy load of positive interdependence and policies and procedures in place for just about everything. It took a week or so to get back on track. I think this happens at home, too, and I think I'm just as guilty of it as the kids.

So, with that in mind, today will be about refocusing and preparing for the rigors of the academic and activity routines. It will also be about counting the days until spring break.