Reprieve

As much as I love my kids... as much as I truly adore them...as fun and engaging and amazing as my big kids are... they were driving me out of my ever loving mind. There, I admitted it. The first 1/2 of summer was awesome, some rough days sure, but mostly pretty great. Then we went on vacation of which I've only partially blogged, which was similarly fantastic. Then we got home and every one of my children turned into wild animals. Or something. My patience was shot and despite my decision not to enroll the boys in any summer camps this year I caved. We were at Tae Kwon Do at the parks & rec department and I noticed that they still had vacancies in the last week of camp. And I wrote a check. This particular camp only takes ages 5 and up so I still have my little guys at home.

I had some concerns about camp. I was worried my two little kids would still be a handful and I would end this week without feeling any better about things, much less prepared to tackle the remainder of summer. I mean, a two year old and four year old can dish out some stressful situations, after all. I was worried the kids wouldn't like it or it would be BORING, or they (mostly Mark) would cry when I left them. Or cry when I came to get them. Or, in a surprisingly likely scenario around here, both.

My worries were for naught, however, because suddenly there is a strange phenomenon around my house. I have time to breathe. I'm finding myself enjoying my babies, and missing my big guys. When I go get them we are all so excited to see each other it's ridiculous. And I feel more equipped to handle the insanity that goes on during the time I'm trying to prepare dinner. Big kids fighting, little kids hanging on me, and lots of whining. Yep, that hour is still just as rough as always, but I have the patience to get through it. It's been some time since I've had that peaceful, in control feeling.

Yes, this reprieve has been good for me. Yesterday I took Zack and Ben to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary and the beach with my mom's club. When we got home both boys napped for over an hour, and my home was silent in the middle of the day for the first time in... well I can't even remember the last time. I never used to appreciate the quiet. I'd have to fill it with music, or tv. All I did was the dishes, but I soaked in that silence! I finally feel refreshed, batteries recharged. I have confidence that I can tackle the final three weeks of summer.

Thank you Summer Camp!