Midterm break, Day 4

We decided with Lily that she can finish out the week at Art Splash making art projects and spending time with her friend, Eden.  It's just four and a half hours, but that time is so precious for me.  Not only do I get to do things with only one child, the small one, I can do many of the household chores while Lily is gone and then we can play and read and do activities when she gets home.  That's the theory anyway. 

Today has been tough because I never seemed to get my strength in the morning and often felt behind the eight ball.  One highlight was Virginie's swimming lesson, a make up class, where I think she performed well because she was in the water a 1/2 an hour earlier than usual and she felt confident and well rested.  She really swam well and listened and I can see all that she has learned.  Proud Mommy.  The bus ride home was quick and painless.  We'd even met another little eighteen month girl and the two of them just stared at each other and pointed until we got off.  A shower to rinse off the chlorine and a quick nap left me with the impression that this would be a relatively easy afternoon.  Silly rabbit.

From the second Lily got home, her enthusiasm for art making and mess making was in overdrive and while I think I am pretty fast, I am no match for two crazy people with a penchant for getting things down on the floor and ground into the carpets.  Nonstop talking the face off, drawing, cutting, gluing, Hi-5 watching, asking for water, I mean juice, I mean water, no juice, popsicle? put my head in a spin.  I stopped and sat down to watch Oprah in the middle of the chaos.  Just couldn't do another thing.

Sometimes the bitter pill of being a stay at home is too much for me.  I miss being able to walk the streets of NYC, even with the girls in tow, just to clear my head.  I don't yell at the girls and don't let them see me completely break down, OK, a little, but I will state again, this job is really the toughest going.  Don't be fooled by the window dressing of cute little people in cute clothes.  They spin kiddie records that will infiltrate your soul and having you singing Five Senses here we go in the wee hours of the morning and can wreck a professionally cleaned house minutes after the work is done.  Change menu interests mid-chew.  Call you in the middle of the night to ask for the sip of water right next to their bed.

Four days down, one more until the weekend and on that day I have chosen to host Toddler Tunes.  My mind is oozing out of my ears.  Only possible answer.

(c)  Copyright 2010.  City Mom in the Jungle.