Vacation's Over

So tonight was my last night of freedom – so to speak; my babies are coming home tomorrow. I’ve missed them very much and can’t wait to see them. After last week’s issue with Dolly and Zach crying to come home, I’m wondering how things actually went over there but I don’t dare ask. I’ve never been the type to interrogate my kids when they’ve had a visit with their dad. Eventually, whatever happened will be revealed, as the kids see fit. I’ll just deal with the problems as they arise.

For me the past two weeks have been really fun. I’ve gotten to do things I haven’t gotten to do in a long time. I’ve gone to dinner in real restaurants – the kinds of places where someone actually takes my order, brings my food, and takes my plate away when I’ve finished eating. It wasn’t all just fast food with burgers and fries. I also got to sit with grown-ups and have grown-up conversations – without kidnapping or restraining any of the adults and forcing them to listen to me blather on about anything I could think of at the time. I’ve never really done that, but it sure has felt like it in the past. Whenever a neighbor would drop over for a few minutes, I always felt like I was hi-jacking the conversation and couldn’t seem to stop talking. That’s what happens when you only have kids to talk to day in and day out and the conversations are about SpongeBob, princesses, dinosaurs, and who did what to whom. Now, though, I’ve got big people to talk to whenever I want, and it feels really good.

While the kids were away Ellen and I went to a bar to see a local band play; she, Sonny and I have gone to different restaurants to eat occasionally; we all sat at the dining room table one night and played games; Sonny and I went out to dinner and a movie while Ellen had a meeting here at the house; and Ellen even taught me to play Backgammon the other night. That was fun; I’ve never played before but had a great time learning. Sonny and I have watched movies and stand-up comedy on TV so all my television did not revolve around children’s television or Nickelodeon; although today I did watch “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who.” It was the animated one with Jim Carrey voicing Horton; I just love that movie.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the kids and have missed them, but I needed a break desperately. All parents need breaks from their kids now and then. The break gave me a chance to get most of the administrative things done for us without having to cart the kids around, and it gave me a chance to regroup and realign myself. I had to have the time to regenerate myself after three years of being with the kids all the time. I’m sure you understand. I feel better now, though, and am ready to take on Mommy responsibilities once again. To celebrate my “last night of freedom” Ellen took me out to eat at a Japanese restaurant called Miyako, where they make the food at the table. You’ve all seen them. We had a blast, not only eating some wonderful food but, making fun of some of the people at our table. It was a great way to end my vacation.

The great thing about being here now is that, at least, once a month, Paul will be getting the kids for a weekend. He’s already planning to get them the weekend of his birthday in September so I can make plans to do something grown-up again. That’ll be nice for me and them to get away from each other once in a while. A bonus is that, when they go to bed in the evenings, I’ll still have someone here to talk to, unlike when I lived in Independence and only had me, myself, and I to chat when the house was quiet. That will change, though, when we get our own place. I’ll be back to putting the kids to bed and sitting by myself at night. I’m not going to think about that now, though; it’ll just bring me down and I don’t want that. I’ve had a great two weeks, I’ve gotten a lot done, and I’m ready to resume my life with my kids. I can’t wait for the hugs, kisses, chatter, noise, laughter, and, of course, the fights. It’s what being a parent is all about, right? In any case, after tonight, I’ll be catching you all up on the happenings with the kids and the rest of the things we have to do before school starts, and after. When I have a free weekend I’ll let you know, of course, but, for now, life as I know it will resume starting tomorrow. I can’t wait!!!

Until next time…peace to all.