So many times I find myself saying I need a day off to get things done, to relax, to unwind. Most of the time (okay, every time I say it) I mean that I need a day where I take the kids to daycare and then come home and do all of the things.
So when my dad told me he had free tickets to the new Perot Museum in Dallas that had to used before the end of the month, I knew that I should take him up on it and spend a day with the girls.
What I didn’t know was this day was exactly what I needed.
I’ve missed being home with the girls. Not in a “I want to be a stay at home mom forever and ever amen” kind of way. But sometimes I think about all the moments I’m missing with them and for a brief moment I’m left breathless with this huge weight of guilt dragging me under. It is temporary and I’m always brought back to the surface when I think about how much they love school (daycare) and how much enrichment it brings to their lives.
Still, being away from them is hard. Coming home every night and rushing to get dinner on the table, baths, teeth brushed, books read and bellies tickled all in 2.5 hours is even harder. Tempers and patience run thin. I go to bed many nights thinking I’ve ruined the few hours of the day I had with them.
But today wasn’t like that. I didn’t ruin anything today.
It’s funny because I don’t want to create this magical view of today. There was no clouds parting and unicorns hopping over rainbows. There was an overcrowded museum, overstimulated children and a mom that probably could have used a Xanax and a glass of wine. There was even one tantrum that resulted in carrying one of my children (*ahem* Hannah) out of Jason’s Deli while she screamed because I stirred her ice cream.
But, I’m not with them all day every day and this morning I told myself I wasn’t going to bed with any regrets. So I kept my patience, I dropped any preconceived notions of what had to happen to make the day perfect (hint: it NEVER turns out like you want it to with two kids) and I enjoyed the Hell out of my kids.
Tomorrow I go back to work and they go back to school. And I feel totally recharged. Who knew that an entire day with my girls was exactly what I needed?
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