Suburban Rhapsody

Today was a good day.

When I woke up this morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee brewing downstairs. My husband didn’t forget to set that all up the night before. As it turns out, icy stares and nagging DO work. We were off to a good start.

Just waking up in the morning, gotta thank God

Promptly at 6:35AM two thirds of my children shuffled downstairs. One was still asleep. Ya know which one it was? The middle one. The tricky one. The “spirited” one. He slept until 7:00. Even the 3 year old commented on how quiet it was this morning. Coffee and now this? Dreams do come true.

Even though it was raining for what seemed like the thousandth day this month (and nothing goes right on rainy days), we were able to leave the house without incident and with a hint of dignity. It was the kind of departure that made me think they won’t ALL need therapy after all. Lunches were made, bags were packed, humans were dressed and my daughter even put shoes on, despite her nagging hippie phase that has her traipsing around like she’s on an acid trip at Woodstock.

Let me fast forward to later that same day. My two boys, a Kindergartner and First Grader, had their science fair tonight. TONIGHT. AT DINNER TIME. I’ve been down this road before: three hungry kids wandering around looking at projects that the parents worked really hard on. Husband noticeably absent. (Insert eye roll and wine glass emoji.) The aforementioned rain decided that this was a perfect time to throw in some thunder, lightning, and flash flooding just for shits and giggles. We were in the car and I had just managed to tactfully convince everyone that going to the science fair would be downright dangerous in these conditions. They solemnly agreed. No need to die for the science fair.

Then they saw friends. Game-changer.

We go. And then just like that, the rain stopped. Filled with new hope, we decide to grab dinner with friends. McDonald’s maybe? Nope, they don’t serve booze. Local bar? Perfect.

Stars? They do align. They seated us two moms and six children in a room by ourselves. I don’t care if it was out of fear or pity. I’ll take it. Our children ate and so did we. We talked and we all took note that the sun had finally come out. And when we left, the moms clearly had a little pep in our step because we knew damn well that bedtime was less than an hour away. We were in the red zone.

Got home. Homework was completed without threats, pajamas were put on in a timely fashion AND independently. Two out of three kids even brushed their teeth. (Guess which one opted out???) Lights out. Day is done.

Today I didn’t even have to use my AK

I came downstairs, poured my congratulations-you-survived-another-day glass of wine, put my headphones on and sat down to write. It really was a good day. There were a couple of moments when I thought it could be touch and go but optimism prevailed. I realized that this is the crux of parenthood. In order to survive, we must find peace and happiness in the small moments. People always say you forget all the bad stuff. I’m not sure I could ever forget some things. I mean after all, I HAVE CAUGHT VOMIT IN MY HANDS MULTIPLE TIMES. I’ve decided that it’s the unprovoked hug, the lack of opposition at dinner time or the quick cuddle during story time that exist in attempt to balance everything out. They are the reasons we tell all our friends with no kids that being a parent is the best job in the world. I am just feeling so grateful on this otherwise gloomy day. Things went well AND I’m feeling enlightened. All good things.

Oh, and by the way, in case you’re wondering what happened between leaving for school and arriving at the science fair, I had a babysitter today. All freaking day. It was glorious.

You’re damn right it was a good day.