No, I mean literally. I LOVE IT. I always have. This is my pace of living y’all. Yes, I have to get up BEFORE 6am now to drag sleeping boys out of bed and drive them to school, but that is the ONLY down side.
My life is so free now. I made a schedule on day 1, just to make it all feel official. Then I took the notebook I wrote the schedule in, closed it, stuck it somewhere I’ll never find it again, and got on with my stay-at-home-mama life.
It’s just JD and me during the day now. He already made up his own routine, perfect for a 3-year-old.
Dusty is his airplane. He likes to draw on his eyes and then beg me to wash all of the marker off.
Hot Tip: Sharpie is easily removed from many surfaces, using rubbing alcohol. Even walls. Unfortunately, it did not work on my dining room chairs. This is my true area of expertise.
8. Watch Planes while also playing with about 15 toy airplanes.
9. Before Planes is over, ask to take a bath with 30 or so toys.
10. After the bath, let Mom dress him and then have lunch with Mom.
11. Story time!
12. Nap: He sleeps on Daniel’s top bunk with the box of 20 toys that he carries around the house.
13. Mom carries him, asleep, from the top bunk to his car seat.
14. Jump on the trampoline with Joshua. This is so adorable to watch.
Daniel and I had one year that was just the two of us, back when he was 1 1/2- 2 years old. With Daniel, I had to re-trace my steps every few minutes to make sure he wasn’t pouring syrup all over the table, painting his chair with lipstick, or emptying an entire bottle of baby powder all over himself. And let’s not even talk about the poop play-doh incident. *Shudder.* I was really thankful for the steam cleaner that day, and also thankful that Alan and Nonna cleaned Daniel up while I got off scott free.
If John David miraculously lets me stay in a room by myself, I can guarantee you the most mischievous thing he has done so far is color all of his cars with markers, which I let him do because who cares, they are his cars.
And yes, he’s finally 100% potty-trained.
I do miss my assistant chef, though. The other night, I held Daniel in my lap, and I just sobbed. Kindergarten is emotional for mommas. Gracious, what is with me lately? I said, “Daniel, I miss how we always baked cookies together, now that you are in school all day. I miss you so much.”
John David looked at me, with the cutest, guiltiest, sheepish look on his face and said, “Sorry, Mom. I’ll cook whi choo.”
But he didn’t, and that’s okay. We don’t all love baking. I get it. Maybe I’ll lose weight without Daniel here, driving me to bake goodies.
Now if I can just figure out how to squeeze in a little “working at home” time, maybe I could make some money. It’s the best of both worlds. I just need to get in the habit of picking up more writing/blogging jobs.
However, next year John David will go to pre-school part-time, and I will have even more time to work. Years and years stretch ahead of me in which I can and will work for money, but these are precious years, years that you cannot get back. And I am loving this!
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Sounds wonderful!
Oh yes, after home schooling 4 boys for 2 years, this is just the breather I needed. You sound like you're doing a much better job than me of finding your home school happy place.
Your new house is lovely! I can't wait to see some of those pictures for the projects you are working on. I like your new job. It still sounds pretty busy and I am glad you are loving it!
Thank you! We certainly have very similar jobs. Though I feel like you are more disciplined with your blog. *Goals!* :)
Good picture of you guys at Open House. That's funny that JD loves to sweep - so do mine! It seems to thrill their souls like nothing else. If only I could teach them to actually sweep up trash and dirt...
"Enjoying the slower life after school: One advantage to moving is that at first you belong to NOTHING. No clubs. No sports. Just freedom." YES!! That's a huge plus I've gotten to enjoy a couple of times now. I love it!
Sounds like you and JD have lots of fun memories just waiting to be made! Enjoy the slow life - it's about time!
Yes! It IS about time. Toddlers and preschoolers and brooms. I bought Joshua and Caleb kid sized brooms and dustpans when they were little, but they didn't love them as much as they did the big ones.