You know when you have those days that seem like they've lasted an eternity by ten am? We've had one of those.
I awoke feeling lethargic, unfortunately my children did not.
Our usual routine began at 5.30 with a cup of milk buying Dave and I an additional 78 seconds of 'still'. Once the drink was guzzled the kids embarked on their bed jumping ritual. No man or woman, stomach or groin was spared.
It's pretty easy to get up from a bed that contains two small explosive devices .
Coffee, honey toast - morning done.
By 11am we were at the Macca's drive through for chips and a milkshake.*
By 3pm I was in tears.
By 4pm my Dad was on the door step with milk and bread and an hour to spare.
He indulged the children in their tales of fires and monsters and didn't even notice the toys all over the floor. He read them stories and talked about the alphabet.
As he went to leave, I told him his visit was the highlight of my day. He stayed and extra half an hour after that, out of sympathy, I suspect.
At times i'm overcome with gratitude for my family. This afternoon was one of those times.
*Yes, I take my kids to Macca's, they have chips and a milkshake every time- so not in keeping with my guise of 'ethical eating', i know.
I love your honesty. We do the occasional Happy Meal run too. Hope you have a better day tomorrow and bless your dad. Love your blog too. Georgia x
ReplyDeleteHi Emily. This comment is coming to you from a rainy city called Sheffield in the north of England. Just wanted to say, I'm only 21 so babies are quite a few years away for me and my partner, but this image filled me with so much joy. I can just see my own grey-haired dad sitting with my future children and being absolutely wonderful with them. A lovely daydream for me to start my day with. Thanks so much for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteHey Ann,
Deletethat was truly the sweetest comment- thank you so much.
Yes, grampies are just the best!
have a great day xoxoxo
Gorgeous post. Loving your Dad. Bless all Dads, and Pops, and Grandads, and Pas, and Poppies. And bless you too. Hope tomorrow is better. If not, happy meals two days in a row wont hurt ... x
ReplyDeleteLove it Julia! You are so right! We shall do it again tomorrow... oh but wait... we did it yesterday.... do you think maccas for 3 days is a bit much?
Deletennnahhh!!
xo em
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ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of my house, my Dad adores his grandkids and they adore him right back! Always gives me the warm and fuzzies watching them play together :)
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely. I know days like that. And a childhood without the odd Macca's milkshake is a childhood half lived xxx
ReplyDeleteain't that the truth!
DeleteI used to dip my chips into the milkshake, much to my mothers disgust!
xo em
You always seem to write a truth so clearly. I have whole weeks just like that day, but I've never been able to put it in words quite right.
ReplyDeleteoh thanks Im.
DeleteI have months just like this day! ;)
xo me
It's nice to know that I am not the only one who has felt this way this week Em, and I only have one toddler! :) Thank goodness the really crappy days are a rare...
ReplyDeleteTomorrow is a new day :) x
I love the way you write about your dad! My closest family is either 9hours by car or 4 hours by plane, either way I wish they were here for mad hour! I have actually tried to use skype so they can watch my 3 boys and umpire their wrestling, wipeout or jungle explorations....but somehow it is not so effective....
ReplyDeleteWhat is your dad's phone number?
ReplyDeleteahahah do you think he's a bit hot? ;)
Deletesorry, I couldn't resist!
xo em
Ha ha...when I wrote that I thought it sounded a bit like a pick up line!
Deletewhat a lovely Dad, how lucky you are x
ReplyDeleteI had a shitter of a day too Em. I felt really negative and sour all day. Must be in the air. I LOVE your honesty, and I love how there are always little (but important) reminders for us, someone must be reminding us of whats really important in life eh ;) x
ReplyDeletemm must have been the day for it!
Deletexo em
Oh they are often over looked but Pop's are very valuable with their big hearts.
ReplyDeleteI can still remember the day I had a complete melt down when Archer was only 2 months old. I just needed sleep/a break/not to be to be in charge of the baby. My dad came over and played and played with the baby while I took that much needed time.
That's so wonderful Em, that your dad can just pop over... He sounds just lovely (I suspect that's where you might get it from!) I would tell you to seriously treasure these moments, but I think you already are.
ReplyDeleteI wish with all my heart that my dad could be there for my girls like your dad is with your two. I soooo do. Especially after reading this.
Oh, and I'm also rudely jostled out of bed every morning by two girls jumping on my boobs. Yowser.
xx Lou
oh the boob beating. Don't get me started. And after breastfeeding two children, who knows where those things are lying at any given time!
Deletexo me
So sorry to jump in, but my husband is looking at me strangely as I'm laughing out loud from your boob-jumping conversation. Love it!
DeleteOh geez. Posts like this make me wish we lived closer to some family. Any family. Just for an hour would be bliss! Soak up that good family of yours x
ReplyDeleteDear macca's drivethru, thanks for providing dinner for my younguns and an excuse to get out of the house during happy hour and have all children restrained for a brief moment of the day. cheers, sarah. (PS. what the fuck was UP with today? some kind of secret kids' union action or something?)
ReplyDeleteamen sister. oh it's the glory of the silence AND the 5 point harness, huh!
Deletexo em
So very, very sweet. What a blessing to have a father like that.
ReplyDelete~FringeGirl
Oh I know those days Em... I wish I had someone like your dad to come and brighten my days, so so sweet. I just love that photo and everything it represents. xx jody
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! We watched a shameful amount of iview today and monsters inc.
ReplyDeletehope tomorrow is better but if not, thank God for grandparents!
You're so so lucky to have a Dad like that ;O)
ReplyDeleteThere have been many days where I've wished someone would come to my rescue.
It's a hard gig sometimes......
You're doing a good job though so don't be too hard on yourself ;O)
Tania xx
Em you are so lucky to live so close to your parents! So lucky for your kids too. Kellie xx
ReplyDeletePS I'm sorry, but I cannot - I will not - condone McDonalds!!!!!
I'm with you Kellie on both those points, but I will say Em as always your honesty is brilliant. Plenty of people would not confess to their McDonalds eating ways...if though you ever feel like bypassing the golden arches you could opt for supporting your local milk bar for the milk shake and the fish n chip shop for the chips. Have a great weekend and keep on keeping on x
DeleteHey Ladies!
DeleteI value your stickability on the Macca's front- wish i could join you but it the DRIVE THOUGH that gets me. That whole sitting in your rump the whole time thing. It's just so.... great!
We do support our local shops Nikki, more often than we support dirty don, don;t worry.
I am with Kellie, I would love to be near my parents. This post and photo prove how much goodness they have to give! X ashley
ReplyDeleteI stood in the lounge yesterday and cried at the overwhelming mess that needed tidying by ME...I don't find motherhood hard, I do however find it can be mind numbingly repetitive! I find I am trying to break things down into smaller jobs or it can get too much-otherwise I go out for the day and happily ignore what is going on at home....come to think of it a quick maccas milkshake trip might be just the ticket today! xo
ReplyDeleteSometimes the gratitude comes at the end of some days as you're just glad they end! Your dad really made this particular day though,didn't he...what a super dad.
ReplyDeletei do believe i hear angels sing when grampies car pulls up!.....i live in a town too small for maccas or the like. no drive thrus :( but i have been known to hang out in the petrol stations one and only car space while the kids munch down an icey pole....livin the high life!!
ReplyDeleteAllison x
ahah yes, I hear them too!
DeleteOh the icy pole- thats another great 5 mins peace!
xo em
Chips and milkshakes are a saviour! They should be added to EVERY parents survival guide :)
ReplyDeleteI love how a shitty day can be turned around by a visit from a family member.
Hope today is better :)
x
http://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/
What a lovely man as only a Dad can be.
ReplyDeletemy mum lives close by. she looks after penny every day while i work. i know how lovely it is to have parents near by. it looks like you share the same sentiments. have a good weekend em. xo
ReplyDeletei have lost count of how many times my dad saved the day when my lads where small.
ReplyDeletethank goodness for grandads (or as my youngest used to call his - 'grag grag')
Sometimes the day just calls for chips and a milkshake and of course a visit from Dad. They are my favourite days too x
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. I remember how much we appreciated my parents visits when my children were young. They lived very close to us,within walking distance and when things got too much I would visit them. My children both loved them to bits and we laugh and cry when we remember those fond memories and your children will too I'm sure. Cherish those moments x
ReplyDeleteA few days ago I bribed my three year old with a maccas ice cream just to get her to kindy...at 9 a.m.! She's my fifth! I thought I was good at this gig!
ReplyDeleteYears ago a friend advised me that sometimes you should just pick the path of least resistance and it will still be okay.
Yay for Grandpa and yay for emergency Macca's trips.
ReplyDelete