After what has felt like the longest winter ever (admittedly, I say this every year) it’s been so relieving to have some actual spring weather recently.
We’ve had days of sunshine, of shorts, and of course, the steady wind that accompanies the change of seasons in our neighborhood. The downside of a home with a view is you get that view from zero wind-blocking.
While the kids protested being kicked outside at first- “But Moooo-
Afternoons and evenings are starting to return to normal- time spent out in the fresh air with the neighbor kids, playing and arguing and laughing and inventing games. Bikes and scooters left in the middle of the driveway, sidewalk chalk covering every inch of pavement, all the balls
I love it.
There is such freedom in this phase of life we are in. I can cook dinner while listening to them through the open windows. This is the first year I’ve been able to send everyone out, and it’s everything I had hoped it would be.
Previously, I had to make a choice: take the preschooler or toddler outside to play, or make dinner. You can’t have both. I’d go back and forth between overdosing on TV time to get dinner cooked and the house picked up, or too many nights in a row of delivery and the house looked like a bomb went off- but I’d have happy, dirty kids who spent most of the time outside. Neither option is wrong if you can find a balance between them.
But this year is magic. The kids are young enough that they still like being around me. I’m still funny. I’m not yet embarrassing. But they can all go outside together while I cook or clean or do whatever is needed. They can create all that childhood magic I remember from growing up.
Mamas in the trenches: hang in there! It’s ok to have your littles watch TV so you can cook. It’s ok to order delivery again and let your house get messy so you can take them outside. Don’t beat yourself up about not getting it all done. It’s not possible! The magic is coming. And it’s wonderful.
