Today I’m a Lazy Bum

Ever have one of those days when you just didn’t want to do anything? Well, at least not anything very productive? That was today.

Officially, the kids were on spring break this week. They spent the first two days at grandpa and grandma’s, then I worked from home for a day and half, while my husband was home with them for the last day and a half. In hindsight, it might have been easier to plan a vacation.

In the end, it was a messed-up-schedules-are-wrong-stupid-time-change kind of week. I just decided to take the day off — watching movies/TV, listening to my son practice piano, working with my daughter in her KidWalk, reading a book, going for a chilly run/walk, and ordering in pizza.

Oh, and for the record, I’m actually wearing a hat today, too!

Today I’m a Planner

As the days of summer come to an end, I find myself planning, organizing and preparing for the first day of school on Monday. Both kids will be going to new schools. Both will ride the bus. Different buses. Different pickup locations. Hopefully, different times. If you know me at all, this is the kind of stuff that stresses me out.

I like to have my ducks in a row. At this point, I’m just happy to be able to identify all my ducks. We met teachers and visited schools this past week and I think the kids are ready to go. So to help organize everything, I made a final trip to Wal-Mart to pick up some final supplies and some clothes. Fortunately, it was tax-free weekend, so 6 shirts, 2 packages of socks and 2 pairs of shoes – no tax! Every little bit helps in this economy!

Now I’m working on the grocery list to make sure we have what we need for lunch boxes (ie, white bread, rice krispie bars, juice pouches, etc.). It’s always a challenge to get back in the groove of our fall routine. Alarms will sound earlier. Pets will wonder what’s going on. Kids will undoubtedly be tired. Or, if we’re lucky, just excited.

I’ve already succumbed to the fact that I will be visiting my daughter’s school on my way to work. There’s just too much stuff to send on the bus with her. Plus, I’ll want to see her smiling face in the classroom.

Gotta get back to my lists and piles. And maybe I’ll schedule a massage.

Today I’m a Mom

A couple of things have me really basking in my role as a mom.

First, I have been home with my daughter today. About a week ago, she managed to knock out a crown from her front tooth. Fortunately, we found the crown and she hadn’t swallowed it. Unfortunately, we had to schedule a visit to the dentist to have it replaced. On top of it all, it was likely she would need sedation in order to get it done. So we arrived an hour early for her appointment and talked about the procedure. Surprise! No sedation needed. They were able to numb the area and replace it in no time. Best of all, there was no charge!

The second thing marks the end of an era. I just wrote my last check to daycare. Yep. For nine and half years I have written a check to the same daycare. And I just dropped my last one in the box. Since both kids will be in school all day this fall, we won’t need daycare. It’s a very strange feeling, as the daycare has always made me feel like I was part of a family. They took excellent care of my kids and even made special accommodations when my daughter required extra care. I’ll miss them. And I think they’ll miss us… well, the kids anyway. And maybe my checks!

Today I’m a Homebody

After a fabulous evening out with my husband last night, I stayed pretty close to home all day. Thanks to our neighbor for taking in our kids for the evening, we were able to go out and be “grown-ups” at a cocktail party in honor of my cousin and his bride-to-be. If the wedding is half as nice as this evening out, I can’t wait for October! Best wishes you two!

As for today, it started with my “meowing alarm clock” (aka: my 16-year-old cat) just after 8 am. Made it to church, treated ourselves to donuts and a sausage roll, then headed home for a little of this and a whole lot of that.

Actually, it’s been a nice day around the house. Washed, dried and folded a lot of laundry, watched a movie and little golf, tried a catnap with my daughter, restocked the fridge/pantry after hubby got home with groceries, visited with my parents and helped my son with piano lessons. All in all, a pretty great day.

Today I’m a Proud Mom

As a parent of a child with special needs, I’ve learned to appreciate the little things in life. My daughter was born with a chromosome disorder and diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. She has never learned to talk or walk and spends a large amount of her day in a wheelchair. She’s a social little girl and loves to spend time with other kids. Actually, she likes being with people in general.

Every time I take her into daycare, I’m reminded of how unbiased and pure the minds of preschool children can be. The kids embrace her, welcome her, share toys, sing songs and hold her hand. They see the little girl. Not the wheelchair.

I’m a proud Mom today, because I’ve been thinking about what she’s done:

• Created new classroom dynamics. Her presence has helped educate the kids about differences, understanding, patience and assistance beyond what a typical preschool curriculum could offer.
• Made a positive impact on the daycare program. The program now includes accommodations for special needs kids and also partners with the school district to allow preschoolers (typical and special needs) to share a learning environment.
• Touched a great number of hearts. When she goes to elementary school in the fall, it’s not just the classroom teachers that will miss her smiling face, but also the volunteers, maintenance workers, administrators, kids and their parents.

It’s funny how so many of us get caught up in making the right impression — wearing the right clothes, saying the right things or always acting appropriately. When others have the innate ability to make their mark without ever expecting anything in return.

Today I’m a Manager

(And sometimes a micro-manager.) Not an hour into my day at work, I knew this week was going to be a doozie. We have no less at 18 different jobs with deadlines between now and Friday. Sadly, half of those deadlines are more realistically for Tuesday or Wednesday, with tweaks and finessing to follow.

With an overworked team, I am trying to appease those asking and support those delivering. That said, I think the team is handling the pressure far better than I am today. I need to resign to the fact that there are things simply out of my control. And I should embrace that. Lord knows, as well as Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty, that it’s best that all decisions not be left to a single person.

Tonight is one of those nights when I need to go home, kiss my husband and my kids, then relax. Be a mom. And after the kids are in bed, be selfish. Kick my feet up and decompress in front of the TV. Besides, a new episode of 4th and Long is on tonight.