This week is spring break in our area so Hailey hasn’t had school. She only goes a couple mornings a week, but it’s amazing how not going completely makes me lose track of time. I was certain yesterday was Friday and almost cried into my sauteed spinach when I realized it wasn’t actually pizza night.
This week though. I’ve lost all sense of time, gotten incredibly behind on emails, wondered why Kaitlyn is now waking up earlier and earlier, let the house get covered with a thin layer of pollen and lake-soaked paw prints… and I’ve kind of loved it.
It’s been pretty warm here and I’ve loved how the relaxed flow of mornings when you don’t need to be anywhere lend themselves to exploration, even on a ‘staycation.’
We found new playgrounds to swing on
spent a day at the zoo with friends
met the elephants and fed the giraffes
packed in play dates and spent non-overlapping nap times testing the still-too-cold water of the lake and giggling.
Hailey is quickly becoming a little person and is full of her own ideas and opinions. I feel like I don’t often enough just stop and talk with her about nothing in particular. Kaitlyn is starting to get things and explore the world too. She’s flirting with the idea of walking and uses her little pointer finger to show us what she wants (and is rather insistent about it!)
These days are packed full and exhausting. I crashed at about 8:30 last night hard. But these days are full of wonder and these days are fleeting. I’ll admit for as ragged as I’ve felt and my house has looked this week, I still fantasize sometimes about home schooling. It’s a post for another day completely, but I love spending these days with my girls. Sure it isn’t all skipping around holding hands, but overall I feel fortunate to be the one there to endure and correct the whining, enforce the timeouts, juggle the conflicting schedules and needs and receive the unprompted hugs. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but man I love it. I tell David everyday what a terrible empty-nester I’m going to be. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.
So yes, even though I’ve completely given into the mom uniform of utility over style,
…still working on earning my fanny pack…
am behind on most of the adult stuff I should be attending to AND we’ve had missed naps that I helped Hailey power through with the help of a milkshake (sugar makes up for lack of sleep, no?), this week has been pretty great.
Now we’re gearing up for another full day- that includes a BIRTHDAY PARTY for fun’s sake. And with that, I hear Kaitlyn babbling to her bunny sooooo let the day begin…
I hope you all have a beautiful, adventure-filled weekend!
Karen says
You seem like you may have found your happy balance after a brief rough patch a while ago. It’s nice to hear you having fun without stressing over those emails stacking up and paw prints everywhere.
Go with it and it will all come together eventually, But if it doesn’t who really cares as long as your having fun:)
Brynn says
i love these posts where you just share and are so honest. I can relate; while I’m not skipping around, life is good being home with the wee one and I feel so fortunate to have that opportunity. You may have lost me on home schooling though, ha!
John J. says
Pura Vida! (Our newly experienced Costa Rican phrase meaning “experiencing a wonderful life” and more). You have it!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
How cute! I’ve actually looked a lot into homeschooling. Since we are military we will likely move a lot so I thought homeschooling could offer some great consistency in their lives. Travis is against it though (all the homeschoolers he met growing up were ‘weird and antisocial.’) I’m not 100% on doing it, but depending on where we are, how long we will be there, and the school district I’d definitely consider it.
Brittany Dixon says
It’s incredible how popular homeschooling has gotten! I have several friends that do it. We talk about it all the time but still have a LOT of research to do. Still, intriguing though…
Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says
It looks like a nice spring break week! The weather in Charlotte has been incredible for it!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
I love the days when we have no schedule or places we are required to be. You are an amazing mom and seem to be making the most of your time with your girls! It’s spring break week here too, so my oldest has been off from Kindergarten. It’s been challenging being home with all three of my little ones this week (I’m a part-time teacher on maternity leave), but I’ve found the key is to make sure we get OUT each day! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my goodness, yes! “Out” totally saves my sanity as I am prone to cabin fever 😉 I hope you enjoyed your busy week, though I’m certain your hands were full!
Katie says
WOOHOO! I say live it up and enjoy it!!! As for the home schooling, it can’t hurt to try for a little bit.
Jen says
Love this post. I can feel your happiness through the screen.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who sometimes fantasizes about home schooling! How cool would it be to get to be with my daughter every day, even when she’s older than 5? And to teach her new things every day? And to take road trips anytime we want, as long as there’s an educational message somewhere in there? Sigh, probably won’t happen, but it sounds good.
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, I am drawn the freedom homeschooling provides too! But we still have a LOT to learn… guess we better get on it 😉
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I had my son every day last week for the first time since pulling him out of daycare. It was wonderful and exhausting. I let a lot of things go, including blog posts! But it was worth it. 🙂
Laura @FitMamaLove says
I’m so in love with your lake! It’s a bummer when they change up their usual sleep schedules. What time do you have to wake up to write?
Brittany Dixon says
I seem to be getting up around 5 each morning. That gives me 1.5-2 hours usually before Kaitlyn wakes up. Today was 4:30, so expect to see me pounding some tea later 😉
Kelli says
I just started homeschooling my kids (10 & 8 ) last year and love it I was the one who cried on the first day of school ! I hated leaving them. We are so blessed and lucky to be able to homeschool and there so many options out there now!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh that is so great to hear! I have several friends that home school and though I am certain it must be super challenging at times, it sounds really great too. What made you switch to home schooling? (if you don’t mind me asking)
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a fun spring break! I’m excited to have a family someday!
Brittany says
Looks like the girls had so much fun! I love the zoo!
Rebekah Anderson says
Do it! (homeschooling, that is). It takes the kind of person who is willing to not have perfection and order in EVERY area, ALL the time, but who takes learning and education seriously. I was homeschooled, as was my husband. We are NOT antisocial and weird. I promise! 🙂 Unfortunately, it only takes one or two negative experiences to shade everyone’s viewpoint on that. But… I’ve met plenty of weird and antisocial people that went to public school all their lives. ha ha.
Anyways, your days this week sound like my days EVERY week, as I’m homeschooling. My 3.5 year old is talkative, busy, and a little mother to her baby brother (17 months). I’m currently doing 30 min or so of “pre-school” with her during the first hour of his one nap. It’s impossible when he’s awake! They are a handful, and I’m always exhausted at 8:00 pm. But they are SO worth it, and I, too, feel so grateful to be the one who has a hand in shaping their days and thoughts and experiences.
Have fun. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Comments like yours really encourage me to look more into it! It’s a little intimidating to me, but the more I learn about it and the more home schooled children I meet, the more I am drawn to it. Thank you for the comment and it has me wanting to go look at home school pinterest ideas for 3 years olds!