I had my breakfast on the veranda this morning. In my pajamas. It was wonderful to eat in peace… with only the sound of the garden to keep me company. It was very zen-like, sitting there with my feet barely touching toys that had been piled under the table. It was still cool out, as the sun hadn’t come past that corner yet. I considered jumping up to get a light sweater. But I forced myself to stick it out despite the slight chill. It will probably going to be the only time I feel cool today. It will probably be the only time I experience peace and quiet for today, and maybe even the rest of the summer. :)
Today is the first day of summer holidays. Emma had her last day of school yesterday.
I’m approaching this with happiness mixed in with a lot of trepidation. Oh, it’s the usual stuff.
1 – Thinking about meal preparation, not just today, but the many breakfasts, snacks, lunches and dinners am I going to have to dream up for the next 70 or so days. I find this job superbly tedious.
2 – Activities. I really hate it when my children say they’re bored. First of all, I hate the tone they use to relay this information to me. The word “bored” is drawn out like a clarinet being blown by an asthmatic cat. And I know it doesn’t help but my first response is one of sheer indignation. “Don’t you have enough toys to keep you busy until the next millennium?” If I’m really ticked I will threaten to sweep all of their toys into a trailer and drive them over to a waiting group of poor children who are breathlessly WAITING for their whiny comfortable brethren to tire of their toys.
3 – What will happen to my brain if I’ve spent the whole summer alternating between the kitchen and the wading pool? Happily, my girls are just old enough to take better care of themselves at the pool. Last summer I still needed to stay pretty much at arm’s length. Now, I may sit at a normal distance. Although I not quite ready to bring reading material with me just yet.
4- How will I possible survive the petty, daily arguments between the two of them? I’m tired of refereeing already. The battles about sharing: who gets to use the ONE PINK BOWL; who gets to swing on our ONE SWING; who gets to help mummy water the plants; who gets to be the mummy when they play family? Lor’ help me. I used to have patience for these things. What’s changed?
I know I’m not alone in this. I need your support.
I think my ONE new martini glass is going to get a lot of use this summer. And I’m not sharing it with anyone!
