My first thought when my husband reminded me that he had a conference in New York was, I should have the girls over. My husband is easily stressed out by four 12/13yos and all the energy and noise they bring. And with him gone, my son could hang out (and sleep!) downstairs with me.
My first thought when I got home at 7pm on Friday night, and the house smelled like a Bath and Body Works exploded was, oh god. What was I thinking?!
The night was indeed a long one. It wasn’t as quiet downstairs as I had hoped (four adolescent bodies are loud!) My son couldn’t fall asleep forever and I was up at 2am asking the girls to please go to sleep. My son and I were both awake by 6am. But we got through it and everyone was in good enough spirits the next morning.
Today I made everyone French toast. Did several loads of laundry. Did a ton of dishes. Took down and put away the blow up bed. Changed my son’s sheets. Shook out both rugs. Swept. Vacuumed. Made pretzels and pretzel dogs. Did more dishes. Took my son to a neighborhood fair (lines were long so we didn’t stay). Hosted one of the girls who spent the night. Hosted my son’s friend. Worked out. Cleaned up.
Tonight my daughter is at her grandparents’ house decompressing and my son and I are watching The Force Awakens. Tomorrow morning I’m taking him to the Academy of Sciences, while my in-laws take my daughter to art class, then we’ll pick her up on our way home.
The afternoon will be low key. I plan to give them some video game time. Then my son will take a bath while I work out. We’ll prep their lunches and pick up around the house a bit. And then we’ll go to be VERY EARLY.
My husband comes home around noon on Monday, which means my in-laws are covering for one more morning. We really are lucky to have them. So, so lucky.
So far it’s been an okay stint without my better half. I seem to have a decent amount of energy these days. I’m not sure why. Even today, when I was clearly feeling very sleepy, I was able to get shit done. Not quite sure what that is about (maybe the beautiful weather we keep having?!) but I’ll take it! I hope it keeps up until summer.
Terrific weekend! IMPRESSED and delighted for you.
IF the art classes are at the De Young would be interested in your opinion of them OR if/what you have heard about those lessons. What sort of art classes is your daughter participating in?(Water colors, clay, textiles etc.) DO NOT want to invade her privacy, really interested in art classes for teens.
I think the warmer weather and blue skies have made a big positive improvement in my energy/mood. Which I needed more than I had realized. Believe now you are counting down to 7 more weeks to vacation and your children 5! Amazing. Congratulations.
We are still having trees (BIG HEALTHY APPEARING ONES) fall unexpectedly. I am told during the drought the roots shrank back and then ALL the wet saturated soil (which is still very wet) further unsettled the tree and they are simply failing. So far not hitting people or buildings but it is surprising.
Where are you at in your cycle right now? Do you think that may have anything to do with your energy levels? Vitamin D and sun exposure makes a huge difference as well for me for sure. Sounds like you and the kids had a great weekend!
Great job on holding the fort. My partner goes away for work often so it’s just me and the minions 😉 I used to be so resentful but grew out of it over the past 5 years. Self-care (read=alone time) is an absolute must to survive on those weeks.