I would love to tell you we had a super-sexy September. But, alas, our September was cool, calm, and totally, well, September. That isn’t to say, though, that we didn’t have memorable moments. Namely, Twinkle, our youngest, started kindergarten. And if that’s not a milestone, then I don’t know what is.
If you’re in the mood for chitter chatter, then grab a beverage or snack, plop yourself on our virtual couch, and sit a spell.
WHAT WE DID:
Our family made it through back-to-school season, which included sending Twinkle to kindergarten. I’m not even sure where the last six years went because I’m certain we just brought her home from the hospital. And yet, apparently, she’s old enough to go to school, outfitted with a backpack as big as she is. Fortunately, there’s never anything in this one and we have a smaller one on hand, too. Because of course I learned about backpack sizing guidelines AFTER we bought it. With Toodle, I don’t think I even knew there were backpack guidelines. With Twinkle, I learned backpacks get their own awareness day every September. Dear all the firstborns, we love you. We just don’t know what we’re doing.
Having the day to myself was quite an adjustment at first. And not even the way I expected it to be. Rather than feeling happy v. sad, I felt a sense of permanent change, much the way I did when I graduated from high school and headed off to college; nostalgic for what was ending and hopeful for what was starting.
It dawned on me that for 10 years, I had had at least one of my daughters with me while I ran a business. Every day was take your daughter to work day. I rarely competed tasks in silence and eventually acclimated to working with a child literally underfoot. There was always some kind of sound in the background. I always had one ear perked in the girls’ direction.
Then it came to an end. Now I no longer make business calls in my closet. Nor do I share my lunch with anyone. I make what I want, and I eat every last bite. A stay-at-home dad once said this whole business of parenting is really set in phases. As one phase ends, another phase begins.
And maybe that’s why I’m not exactly sad about the baby/toddler/preschooler phases coming to an end. Like a fork through spaghetti (how’s that for a metaphor?), we are winding our way through a new normal. One that is delightfully filled with diverse experiences.
As for the girls, they love this together-at-school time. The walks home have a new air, too. The girls trade stories with each other about their respective days and with a sisterly context that only they understand.
We might be done with the baby phase. But I am here for the whispering and the giggling and the sistering. It’s my new jam.
WHAT WE LEARNED:
Prior to sending Twinkle to kindergarten, I had great visions of taking a few days off from work once the school year started. I planned to watch British murder mysteries and eat a little gluten in the living room. IT NEVER HAPPENED. Instead, I signed up for a 5-day challenge led by the great Allison Marshall (of Wonderlass fame).
And it was all because of this photo:
I’m convinced we’re related, but we just don’t know through which aunt.
WHAT WE ATE:
School? Check. Online course? Check. Snacks? CHECK.
K-Hubs, the girls, and I have lost our collective minds. And it’s all because of these Almond Butter Crunch Cups. I am at a literal level of cannot even. Almond butter topped with chopped nuts and drizzled chocolate? Is there anything even remotely better? Nope, there’s not.
But I’ll tell you something ~ I full-on promised the girls they could eat these bad boys for breakfast. However, after the girls went to bed that night I had a hankering for some crunch cups myself. But a promise is a promise, and, y’all, I KEPT MINE AND DID NOT EAT THEIR SNACKS. I left the actual crunch cups in the freezer and waited one entire overnight to eat alongside Toodle and Twinkle. Because let’s face it, had I attempted to eat just one the night before, I would have cleared out the batch, full stop.
Please feel free to be proud of me. Because I’m proud of me. Walking away from those crunch cups right before bed was a true act of motherly love and possibly the most mature thing I have ever done in my life.
If you think I’m being excessively dramatic (as opposed to only mildly dramatic) make this treat and tell me it isn’t the most amazing combo ever.
Actually, if you make them and don’t like them, just bring your batch to my house. BECAUSE I WILL EAT YOUR REJECT Almond Butter Crunch Cups without so much as a sliver of shame. This is my best self. Thank you for understanding.
TEA TREE THERAPY FOR THE WIN:
Lastly, but never “leastly,” have you tried this Tea Tree Therapy when you’re down with a cold? I’m not a doctor nor do I play one on tv, but I will say, I LOVE this stuff. We slather it on our feet, between our shoulder blades, under our noses, and on our chests. It smells good, it’s comforting, and it provides temporary relief as cold season tries its best to take us down.
One benefit to both girls being in school is that when I come down with a cold, I can go home and just rest. This most recent cold was the most delightful cold I have experienced in 10 years. Moms and dads of littles, if you feel like you’re dripping in children, worn out and the last to recuperate from illness, just know that I believe your feelings.
Whether you have one child or two children or five children or more, there are certain phases that absolutely consume you. Those early years are a blur. But there will come a time when you’ll come down with a cold, the kids will go to school, you’ll stay home and rest, and it will be the most wonderful cold you will remember having in, like, a decade. If you haven’t already experienced that, just know it’s on your horizon. I’m so excited for you!!! Because what are friends for if we can’t wish each other some alone time during our times of illness? 😂
And on that delightful and uplifting note, I wish you well today. May you be well. And if you’re a little under the weather, may you at least have a few peaceful moments to yourself.
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