"But Mommy,

I want you to stay at home!"

Setting:

Walking home from our new daycare provider's family picnic. Simon was holding my hand walking slowly to the car. Norah was trotting along holding Daddy's hand a few sidewalk squares away from us.

Topic of conversation:

I was reviewing that tomorrow I return to work. Simon will spend a few days at the new sitter's. And then start 1st grade on Wednesday.

Simon's response:

His lip turns pouty, his eyes become sad, and he says "but Mommy, I want you to stay at home".

My heart strings pull!

We had a lovely summer, doing mostly whatever passes our fancy (starting July 3rd)! We enjoyed long days at the pool, library, parks, picnics, pajama days, garage sales, bowling, time at Grandma and Grandpa Sota's, with some friends, strolling around the block, playing around the yard, gardening, reading, complaining about writing, cleaning, jobs around the house, new roof and siding, beach fun, zoo trips, lego time, toy time, playing all day with sibling, squabbling with sibling, crafting, projecting, and loving our time together.

Granted I had my moments of housework piled high with limited desire to do it. Or dealing with yet another day's routine of unload the dishwasher, make breakfast, load the dishwasher, clean something, dissolve a squabble, make lunch, clean up lunch, prep dinner, pack a swim bag with snacks, load up on sunscreen, watch two kids like a hawk at the pool, drag the exhausted kiddos home from the pool, snack for one - bath for the other - switch and repeat, make dinner, clean up dinner, kids to bed, little bit of housework, and fall asleep on the couch!

But I will always take those lazy summer days back! Norah became quite attached to me and will now sadly say ,"but I really love you", while hugging me tight around the neck with no release in sight, as I head out the door without her. Her little body may be in for a shock with a new sitter and starting preschool.

Simon does not want me to go back to work and wants me to stay at home. Little does he know what is in store for him in all-day 1st grade beyond taking his lunch to school. His system is in for a shock. We might be too, with homework, reading, packing a lunch, and keeping it all together!

This year, though, I get all day Monday with just my little Norah. And I get Thursday mornings all to myself, while Lil' Miss is in preschool. And Friday afternoon? Let me tell you that I am done at 11:30. I do not have to scoot right away as lunch at the new sitter's is at 12:00. I will pick her up at 12:30. That gives me some time to breathe and complete a task or two before heading out the door, run an errand or two on the way, have a lunch-date with my Eric, grocery shop, or head to the library for me! Since she will have eaten, we can head straight to an adventure or come home to nap if needed (more alone time for me) until Simon comes home on the bus.

And the bus plan? Well, right now Grandma is slotted to be at our house Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon to be with Simon from bus time until I get home. I think they both will love that little bit of time together, possibly 1 to 1.5 hours. That means one pick-up for me and Simon will get off the bus and come home EVERY DAY!!! Such a gift. I hope it works out!

June 2012 cannot seem any farther away than tonight.

To work I must go. My heart will hurt as I leave my babies tomorrow. I will deal with 1st grade in a day or two. Too much for this Mommy's heart to handle tonight.