Written on March 2, 2012
Every day from 9 until 12:30, and then again from 2:30 until 4:30, the boys are in school. My routine has slowly morphed into the following: return home to wash dishes, make beds, sweep, mop, clean the bathroom and take a shower. By 9:30 the grocery store and fruit stores are open and I can go out and buy the fresh fruit and vegetables for that day’s lunch. Finally, I return home to prep and start lunch. If I have a few extra minutes, I get online, but I find that by the time I throw in any extra task - wait in line at the bank for 20 minutes because they only employ ONE teller, or take the boys’ pants to be taken in at the waist because they need “slims” and the provided elastic waistband is too generous (never-mind that the entire outfit is sewn by an actual person) - once I throw in travel time I must quickly run up the street to fetch the kids.
For the past two weeks our washing machine has been broken, which entailed the occasional trip to our friends’ house where they thankfully allowed the use of their washing machine and sunny patio for line drying. Now I can do this at home and, although the convenience is appreciated, it also means that on laundry days I must shower with my clothes, as the lines to dry them are in the shower. Although our bathroom does have a window it does not get any sun, and jeans need over 24 hours to dry. Regardless, the return of our washing machine yesterday has been a blessing.
The three of us handle these situations so very differently. When Hugo is rushed, he turns into a petulant zombie-slug. When Atticus is rushed, he can match any dictator in command, loquaciousness and ruthlessness. I keep my eye on the prize, all other stimulation is not allowed to compete with my quiet focus: Must.Accomplish.Goal. I will admit that I do not love these moments, however, I am quite proud of myself that I have learned how to rapidly and efficiently move the three of us and our luggage from point A to point B without cussing, belittling or smacking anybody upside the head. In these moments I am so grateful for Love and Logic and the other gazillion parenting classes I've attended and would like to acknowledge the amazing resource that is Families First in Missoula - please consider supporting them if you don’t already: Families First Montana (And Sara P., you know how much I appreciate you!)
Atticus loved the train's bathrooms: in order to open the curved door, one must push a button to open and shut the door, just like on Star Trek!
Lucas and Hugo with matching haircuts |
Montana excursion |
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