There are some Sundays when we just can't seem to get any plans off the ground.
Take yesterday for example.
It's summer, it's the weekend, and as I manage my current daycare and plan the opening of a second daycare all week long, I like to think that it's possible to carve out even a tiny window of time to do something engaging or meaningful with the kids.
When lofty plans like the beach or the pool or a museum seem remote, I scale it back. I settle for something more tangible -- a local park.
It's funny, though, even planning to go to the park for a bike ride for an hour or two gets foiled by ordinary tasks and a sleeping husband.
Vicky (now 15 months) and I woke up around 7:30 a.m., which is late for us. (Usually one of us is up by 6:30!). I prepared her breakfast, and when Benji and Julie (now 8 and 7) woke up, I surprised them with chocolate chip pancakes (yay! a mom-child bonding activity...applause please!).
Then it was time for Vicky's bath. Diaper change, fill tub, sponge, soap, rinse, play with silly pink and orange polka-dot duck, towel dry, apply almond-scented baby oil, change clothes, etc.
Next!
My husband woke up and was watching Joel Osteen, some Spanish telenovela and a news show. He did some dishes in between.
It was around 10 a.m.
"How about we go for a bike ride with the kids?" I suggested a park about a 10 minute drive away, with lots of trails and bike paths.
He didn't object and I got excited.
I handed Vicki to him.
"Here, I'm showering!" Woo hoo. Didn't that feel good to assert myself. Ha! Soap, water and peace of mind.
For 10 minutes.
The list of activity continued.
More dishes, make bed, organize cabinets, put food away,change diaper again
At 11 a.m. Benji still hadn't taken a shower.
Time to feed Vicky lunch.
She dozed off in the high chair around noon..
On your mark, get set, GO!
Hair, makeup (look human!) Figure out on paper and then email the work schedule to the teachers at the daycare for the week.
There would be no park happening at naptime, so my husband suggested he go out till she woke up.
Our retired friend from New Jersey was staying nearby, and while Benji was showering (and Vicki napping and me tapping!), he and Julie picked him up and went to the Spanish service at a local church.
Around 2 p.m. I got a text from my husband that they were all eating at a local Mexican diner for brunch and that we should join them.
The park got pushed ahead.
"We will go after we eat then," I reminded him.
Vicky woke up, Benji got Vicky's stroller out of the garage, I popped some water and milk in her diaper bag, and we were off.
They were just finishing lunch, Benji ordered a cheeseburger and french fries (which he barely touched) and I ordered enchiladas in mole sauce with a mango shake. Mmm-mmm.
Benji and Julie slid some dollars in the jukebox as they (and Vicky!) bopped and grooved to
We sallied home in slow motion, our bellies full. It's like we were sleepwalking in the 90-degree humidity. Our clothes stuck to our skin like banana peel.
A/C on, Tequila Rose in shot glasses.
The Couch.
My husband and I searched the net for prices on laminate flooring for the new daycare.
And then it happened. Poppy flowers.
My husband and his pal were SLEEPING, mouths open, on the sofa.
That being the case, I had to keep an eye on Vicky.
After a time, I sent Juliana downstairs to ask her dad if he could take off her training wheels.
"He didn't answer me," she whined.
"Why, did you ask him nicely?"
"He's SLEEPING!!!!"
By the time they woke up it was close to 5 p.m. The kids were munching on carrot sticks and the sky was getting darkish.
But my husband was good. He went out and took those training wheels off. He even put air in the tires of all our bikes.
A dark cloud hovered overhead.
We made the decision to go to the neighborhood playground instead, as the chance of a storm was well, inevitable.
Drops started trickling down. Wind whipped around.
Plans were scaled back even further.
"Ok, let's go for a bike ride around the block then," I announced, still eager to stick to the original plan.
We didn't even bother with helmets.
"Cmon, follow me!" I called to Benji and Julie.
My husband pushed the stroller with his friend alongside him.
Lightning flashed and thunder gargled in the distance as we rounded the bend, heading down the hill. I double backed one block to take advantage of the opportunity of being outside on two wheels.
We were one block from home when the dark clouds surrounded us on all sides.
We stood on the front steps enjoying the stormy breeze until we could take no more and shut the door.
The Couch. More snacks.
Bedtime.
Goodnight!
Take yesterday for example.
It's summer, it's the weekend, and as I manage my current daycare and plan the opening of a second daycare all week long, I like to think that it's possible to carve out even a tiny window of time to do something engaging or meaningful with the kids.
When lofty plans like the beach or the pool or a museum seem remote, I scale it back. I settle for something more tangible -- a local park.
Then it was time for Vicky's bath. Diaper change, fill tub, sponge, soap, rinse, play with silly pink and orange polka-dot duck, towel dry, apply almond-scented baby oil, change clothes, etc.
Next!
My husband woke up and was watching Joel Osteen, some Spanish telenovela and a news show. He did some dishes in between.
It was around 10 a.m.
"How about we go for a bike ride with the kids?" I suggested a park about a 10 minute drive away, with lots of trails and bike paths.
He didn't object and I got excited.
I handed Vicki to him.
For 10 minutes.
The list of activity continued.
More dishes, make bed, organize cabinets, put food away,change diaper again
At 11 a.m. Benji still hadn't taken a shower.
Time to feed Vicky lunch.
She dozed off in the high chair around noon..
On your mark, get set, GO!
Hair, makeup (look human!) Figure out on paper and then email the work schedule to the teachers at the daycare for the week.
There would be no park happening at naptime, so my husband suggested he go out till she woke up.
Our retired friend from New Jersey was staying nearby, and while Benji was showering (and Vicki napping and me tapping!), he and Julie picked him up and went to the Spanish service at a local church.
Around 2 p.m. I got a text from my husband that they were all eating at a local Mexican diner for brunch and that we should join them.
The park got pushed ahead.
"We will go after we eat then," I reminded him.
Vicky woke up, Benji got Vicky's stroller out of the garage, I popped some water and milk in her diaper bag, and we were off.
They were just finishing lunch, Benji ordered a cheeseburger and french fries (which he barely touched) and I ordered enchiladas in mole sauce with a mango shake. Mmm-mmm.
Benji and Julie slid some dollars in the jukebox as they (and Vicky!) bopped and grooved to
We sallied home in slow motion, our bellies full. It's like we were sleepwalking in the 90-degree humidity. Our clothes stuck to our skin like banana peel.
The Couch.
My husband and I searched the net for prices on laminate flooring for the new daycare.
And then it happened. Poppy flowers.
My husband and his pal were SLEEPING, mouths open, on the sofa.
That being the case, I had to keep an eye on Vicky.
"He didn't answer me," she whined.
"Why, did you ask him nicely?"
"He's SLEEPING!!!!"
By the time they woke up it was close to 5 p.m. The kids were munching on carrot sticks and the sky was getting darkish.
But my husband was good. He went out and took those training wheels off. He even put air in the tires of all our bikes.
A dark cloud hovered overhead.
Drops started trickling down. Wind whipped around.
Plans were scaled back even further.
"Ok, let's go for a bike ride around the block then," I announced, still eager to stick to the original plan.
We didn't even bother with helmets.
"Cmon, follow me!" I called to Benji and Julie.
My husband pushed the stroller with his friend alongside him.
Lightning flashed and thunder gargled in the distance as we rounded the bend, heading down the hill. I double backed one block to take advantage of the opportunity of being outside on two wheels.
We were one block from home when the dark clouds surrounded us on all sides.
We stood on the front steps enjoying the stormy breeze until we could take no more and shut the door.
The Couch. More snacks.
Bedtime.
Goodnight!
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