Christmas break is over and Avery is back on the school bus. Hallelujah! I love the child and to be quite honest I have really enjoyed the extra time we’ve been able to spend together but it will be nice to get a little bit of structure back into the household. As you may already know, my kids are going a little bit stir crazy and need some ‘normal’ injected into their days. And quite frankly, so does their mother.
The desperate need for normalcy aside, there are actually other reasons I am rejoicing over the start of a school day. Allow me to share a few of them with you.
1) I am tired of sleeping in. You’re thinking, Mindy, surely you jest! But I’m dead serious here, folks. Initially, when Christmas break started I told myself I would allow a couple of “sleep-in” mornings. Tops. The rest of the mornings I would take advantage of a quiet household by waking up, getting my workout in, reading the paper over a cup of coffee and savoring the beauty of an early morning. Problem. I have done none of those things. In fact, I don’t even subscribe to the newspaper, so, why I even set that as a goal is beyond me. The workouts have been happening but not in the Zen-like atmosphere I was planning. Have you ever tried to get your ’Jane Fonda’ on with an attached 3 year-old who has a propensity for finding the humor of you in your old stretched-out exercise pants? It’s a little difficult to fully commit when you can sense him staring, a mixture of horror and awe written on his little face, as your jiggly bits move in rhythm to Richard Simmons sweatin’ his little shorts off. Well, let’s just say it’s not easy. And as far as savoring the beauty of an early morning? I personally found that mid-morning has its own appeal.
2) I am tired of wearing my pajama pants and leisure bra until noon. So, I’ve been a bit of a hypocrite over Christmas break. You may be aware that my work-from-home hubby often wears nothing but his underpants until noon each and every day? (That’s right, his daily uniform…basically just a step up from his birthday suit.) And I’ve been known to gripe about this situation a time or two. Well, I’ve apparently adopted his mode of thinking because I’ve been wearing my pajama pants and leisure bra (read: no underwire, therefore not an attractive way to greet the UPS man) until around noon each day. Don’t worry. You don’t even have to say anything. I’m ashamed of myself and plan on correcting this issue immediately.
3) I am tired of “stress” eating. I have been eating frantically for almost the entire two weeks of Christmas break. At first I thought I was just taking advantage of the holiday and indulging in goodies I knew were short-lived in their season. But I quickly realized that I am drawn towards things like Cheez-its. And Hot Tamales. Now, last I checked, no one was “trolling the ancient Yuletide carol” while snacking down on Cheddar Jack crackers. It’s called stress-eating, folks. It’s called medicating oneself with sodium and artificial cheese while your two kids are fighting over their Zhu Zhu pets. It’s called a bad habit. It’s called stretched-out exercise pants.
4) I am ready to downsize kids for a less stressful day. Again, I may have stumped you on this one. You may be saying, “But, Mindy. The primary source of your stress won’t be getting on the schoolbus. He’ll still be home wreaking havoc and causing various bouts of destruction…all day long.” True. However, Avery is like supplying oxygen to Jack’s fire. Her presence feeds his flame. Alone, Jack is like a small little campfire. Manageable but capable of mass destruction if left untended. But with Avery, Jack is something akin to a forest fire of epic proportions. Stress. Lots of it.
5) I want my “Days of our Lives” back. During school days, in between folding laundry and cleaning the kitchen, there are brief respites in which I am able to sit down and watch a little television. Not for very long periods, mind you, but just long enough to escape from my present and catch up on some much-needed televisual education. Christmas break has all but eliminated this benefit from my day. My kids have managed to suck any and all free time by frequent and sporadic emergent needs. Just when I sit down to take a break someone requires a snack, or replacement batteries for a dead robot, or a pencil sharpener, or their head removed from the rungs of a chair, or a stiff drink (oops, that one’s me.) One less child = slightly more time for Mindy and Days of Our Lives.
Undoubtedly, I will miss having Avery home a little bit. She supplies a whole lot of sunshine during these rainy, winter days, and her brother is absolutely in love with her. But Jack and I will do just fine alone while she reconnects with her friends at school. And, in a very short 998 days, Jack will join her. Oy.
Mindy
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Brandy
You pretty much nailed it, Min. As much as I don’t want to go back to school myself, there’s no doubt it’s easier to hold things together with an enforced schedule. Have a great day!
You too! Good luck on your first day back! =)
Mindy
I am so glad school is back in, even though we had a late start this morning. I think I’m going to invest in a new alarm clock today. I nearly destroyed mine this morning trying to turn it off. (the sleep button is stuck)
Oh, and tell the hubby that when he dresses like he’s at work, he is actually more productive, especially if he’s in sales.
Oh, trust me. We’ve been over the attributes of putting clothes on. He’s a web designer/developer so he maintains he’s actually more productive when he’s all “bohemian.” =)
Mindy
That would be the downside of homeschooling. There is no “back to school”. But I’m not much of a routine person anyway. I have certain things I get done everyday, but the order and time varies greatly. I like to keep it switched up. Or maybe I’m crazy.
But these are the exact same reasons I’m glad the holidays are over. Those extra things I had to do really threw me off!
♥Spot
Yes, it’s nice to be back in a “not-so-special” time of the year. Next up, Valentine’s Day. Thank God that only lasts for 24 hours. =)
Mindy
Whew! That made me tired just reading it. I hated my Richard Simmons tape, it was so disappointing to exercise with those people everyday but they NEVER lost weight. Doesnt inspire at all.
You know, that’s hilarious, because I’ve never looked at it that way. But, you’re right! Guess I’ll be seeing it a little differently now. Maybe I’ll try to lose the weight FOR them. =)
Mindy
I hear you. Even though I had to go back to work today too, I was ready for everyone to be up and out of the house. I guess kids aren’t the only ones who thrive on structure.
You got that right, sister! Oh, and I hope the kidlets weren’t too riled up for ya! =)
Mindy
I’ll admit when the two weeks (nonstop) of having Jason’s three and five year old in the house came to an end. I was sad and just a teensy bit glad. I am used to ONE child (fully grown at that). I had no idea the constant sibling struggles and whining that goes on. :-/ Plus the last day they had been up til midnight the night before (New Years) and it was HELL the day after (because of course they woke up at 7am!).
Ah, yes. The sibling situation adds an entirely different dynamic to the day. In all honesty, I think Jack was a teensy bit glad to have the house all to himself today. Tomorrow might be different but I’m armed and ready. =)
Mindy
My day is never the same, much less the time of day I’m awake! But even with that abnormality, I’m happy that school is back in session, too. My brat is home with me again (after a week at his father’s), and during that week, I self-destructed! I was rebelling against myself, and it wasn’t pleasant for anyone! LOL I even refused to make an actual meal, ’cause it was only for me and Bill, and “I’m not wasting good food for just the two of us to eat dinner! Go make yourself a sandwich or something!”. Yeah, I’m kinda surprised I’m still married!
Are you kidding me? I think my marriage was built upon my refusal to supply meals with regularity. It forces my hubby to focus on my other attributes. =)
Mindy
Glad you got some time back to yourself. You need to start planning your celebration and writing out your wish list: the Name Day for Mindy occurs on January 9. Check it out: http://www.americannamedaycalendar.com/female_m.html
Oh, I have a name day? I’m so, so excited! I’ll be checking that out pronto (and letting my family know we’ll be celebrating very soon)! Thanks! =)
Mindy
Yes, I am soo glad hubby is back to work and I have the house to myself. I tried to watch All My Children and it was a RERUN!
Sorry but I LOL’ed at Jack watching your jiggly parts.
A rerun All my Children?!? What has this world come to? Oh, and I had to laugh a little bit at him watching my jiggly bits…it was like he was watching a tennis match. Ugh. =)
Mindy