it's almost time...

I pick up my kid from school last week and she says, "Do you know what the kids at school are talking about?" Oh, geez. If that's not a loaded statement, I don't know what is! I went through the list in my head and decided that this may not be that bad. Then again...

She said the kids are talking about Santa and the stuff that comes with that. I asked her what she thought about all of it. She said that it cannot be true because she has heard bells and laughter on Christmas eve. She says that she has even stayed up late and saw glimpses of red. I said, "Okay then. Maybe they're just messing with you." 

So she is questioning things. She is nine, almost ten. The timing is right. I just want one more magical Christmas with the milk and cookies, the letter, the breakfast with Santa pictures and all the innocence and cuteness. Once it's over, it is over. 

I remember figuring it out and telling my aunt. I remember the exact conversation we had. Thirty years later, I remember listening to her gentle explanation and figuring it all out. I was either nine or ten. I am not ready! I just cannot mentally prepare myself for this!

Each passing day is a day closer to her first job, dates, prom, graduation, college, wedding, babies, growing up. Nope. Nope. Nope. If you need me, I will be holed up in my house with everything locked down until December 26th! In the words of Clark W. Griswold, "We're gonna have the hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny F-ing Kaye!"

It's fine. We're going to be fine. It's just fine. Every mom experiences this. I am just not ready yet. Did I mention I'm fine?

kitchen fun

We had a rainy day and needed to do something fun. The best part of these moments is that I don't need to look far for fun entertainment. We have science kits, weaving kits, inventor kits, sewing kits, bracelet making kits, you name it. On this particular day, I looked into the big pile of stuff that doesn't get used as much. We settled on the Big Bag of Science Fun.

There were so many ideas in the book that we didn't even know where to start. Whoever came up with these things deserves a huge bonus check! The directions are easy to read and understand. There are mini lessons about what types of science you are using. There are pictures and fun facts.

One of the experiments was one we used to do a lot when she was younger. It's even easier than baking soda and vinegar explosions (it smells better, too). You fill a pan or bowl with corn starch. Slowly add warm water until the consistancy feels like honey. Your fingers will get stuck like it's quicksand. Then the more you play with it, the more it drips. 

Voila. Homemade quicksand. Cheap and easy with no smells. It wipes up easy, too. For a 9 year old that is in love with science, this was the experiment that lastest the longest with the most smiles. I have to remember that sometimes the little things are the big things for little people. Fun is not about specific items. Sometimes it's about seeing what you have and working with that. 

another mom panic moment

I am hoping that everyone has had that particular moment of panic. You don't have to be a mom to have the moment where you think you missed something! This morning we were on our A game: hot breakfast, packed mask, good mood. Check, check, check. It was going so well! I was even checking out the side window to keep an eye out in case the bus came early.

It's simple. We get up a little earlier than needed and that's what works. Now we have time for braids, extra breakfast, whining, whatever ;) The bus comes across the street from our driveway so I can look out the window and see everything. I win.

We get outside and notice no neighbors waiting. Well... we were only 4 minutes early. They recommend 5 minutes. I know! Pure chaos! So then the doubt sets in. Are we early? Are we late? Where is everyone? I ran back in to check the time. Nope. We are on time... I have time to drive her to school, but she likes her routine and I don't want to mess with that. 

Right as I am about to check the bus app, our favorite driver rolls down the road. Why does this make me panic? If she missed the bus, it would've been our fault. Yet, it would've been okay. We all would've been to work and school on time. Can I just breathe for a second and realize that it's okay to not be perfect before 8am?!

I know that how a kid starts their morning changes their whole day and their whole mindset so we keep it happy and light. No need to tick off the bus driver or teacher because we had a tough morning. It is okay. It will always be okay. I just need to chill out and realize I got this and my best is the best that anyone is going to get. And to think, I freaked out about a bus... 

 

figuring out how to do it all

Every once in awhile, my cup starts to empty. It's okay. It's expected. Most days I know when to take a step back or when to soldier on. Some days, I forget and go full force. This leads to mental chaos and some negative repercussions. 

This last week has been A WEEK. I was overwhelmed and feeling pulled and stretched in too many directions. I had a moment or two and may have turned off my phone indefinitely. I definitely had some afternoon wine (that is wine in a fancy glass drank before it is socially acceptable to do so!). It got better, though.

I have this perception of myself that I cannot falter, cannot lose it, cannot have a moment. I don't know why, but I do. I fully enforce a woman's right to be a bad ass, a lazy ass, or a crazy ass. Whatever works for you. I just don't always follow my own rules.

I saw this picture and realized it was a right place, right time thing. I needed to see this. It reminds me to take a deep breath and roll with it. Emails can wait. Texts can wait. If I need to sit for 5 minutes and deep breathe, it is okay. The world will not stop turning. People can carry on without me if needed.

The nice thing is that I decided to order takeout because I just didn't want to cook. I wanted to get takeout and chill out with my kid and play with slime. So I look like fun mom because we got subs and sodas. I got cool mom points because we had more time to play with slime. I was good mom because I was able to relax and enjoy something fun and stress relieving while spending some QT with my cutie and she was none the wiser.

Don't forget to keep your cups full during these stressful times! Do whatever you need to do. We will wait for you :)