We had the best holiday over Christmas. While we couldn't really stretch our budget far enough to have a holiday away form home we certainly did make the most of long summer days buy hitting the beach early and the BBQ late.
Our weeks formed a quiet, unspoken rhythm where periods of rest revolved around our stomachs and the desire to eat delicious food every time we sat down. We picked fresh produce from the garden, collected the eggs while they were still warm and baked bread on a daily basis.
I was reminded that my husband and I are good working team. We are friends and laughter comes easily to us.
When Dave went back to work on Monday I was determined to make that holiday feeling linger. To make the most of the sunshine and continue feeling, you know, like life was easy.
I'd dreamed up days of early morning beach adventures, sweet smelling washing blowing in the cool breeze, relaxing salad sandwiches with my ever so placid children, post lunch naps and afternoon craft sessions.
Four days later and my feet are firmly planted back on the ground.
Life is not a day dream and I did not get to eat the pictured almond croissant alone or in silence.
My kids have bums that need wiping, cups of milk that need spilling, neat bedrooms that need destroying, soft toys that need saturating in buckets of water before crying over said saturated toys, exhaustion that does not need the remedy of sleep and a crap load of energy that needs burning. So, it would appear that holidays really are over and it's back to work for me also.
I'm bracing myself for a few weeks of chaos before preschool resumes.
Sometimes being the solo stay at home parent bites*.
*today was a bad day.
Oh golly. Did you just read my post titled 'crying over spilt milk?' Seems like you and I are feeling very similar. And yes, being a solo stay at home parent BITES BIG TIME. x
ReplyDeleteI went and read it Kat, same feelings here :)
Deletexo em
O, I'm feeling for you - I so know those days. I hope tomorrow is better and you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirsty, hope the week shapes up to be a good one for you too
Deletexo em
after a good holiday there is always that dose of reality... but then after the bad day comes the happy compromise somewhere in the middle between holiday and harsh reality. Go easy on yourself x
ReplyDeleteYou are SO right, it's just a few days of adjustment for everybody and then it's all good again! Thanks for the reminder
Deletexo em
I know those days.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what kind of hug you need from your Dave right now.
I just ... know :)
Cyber hugs from here until you get that therapeutic squeeze,
xo
thanks Cherie :)
Deletexo em
I hope the rest of the week is better! Have a nice weekend! x
ReplyDeleteahhh yes... we had the crash at the start of the week but with hubby still off work things improved slightly and today we are feeling in holiday mode yet again....all the non-routine no planning lulling about sometimes needs a good shake up! hope tomorrow is a better day sweet lady xx
ReplyDeleteoh i'm liking the sound of that! Enjoy his last dew days of holidays :)
Deletexo em
You've got a lot on your plate, Em - & I'm not just talking about an almond croissant! Hang in there, I hope tomorrow is superb. Kellie xx
ReplyDeleteYeah, i need bigger plate, but the only things expanding around here are my bum, belly and boobs? I should blame the (endless) almond croissants for that!
Deletexo em
It's been chocolate croissants all the way for me with this baby. A week of gastro, and now I've got 4kgs in the bank!
Deleterachel xo
and that wee little bubba must be making you so very tired! I was beyond exhausted when i was pregnant and with kids in tow it definitely has it's very challenging days. As long as the good days outweigh the bad, that's what i always tell myself ;-) the good memories will linger for a lifetime, the bad days will soon be forgotten and our little ones will be standing shoulder to shoulder with us.
ReplyDeleteYes, the good days are far more plentiful, thats for sure! You are so right- the good memories do last :)
Deletexo em
by the way, you have a beautiful way with words
ReplyDeleteoh damn those post holiday blues!! I'm not sure if it's better or worse that I won't be really entering them until just before my girl STARTS SCHOOL, with hubby home for the rest of the month also.. I am going to lose all my help when I will need it the most! {sob} xx
ReplyDeleteNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT SCHOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLL???!!!!
Deletestart to stockpile the tissues and the waterproof mascara!
xo em
oh damn those post holiday blues!! I'm not sure if it's better or worse that I won't be really entering them until just before my girl STARTS SCHOOL, with hubby home for the rest of the month also.. I am going to lose all my help when I will need it the most! {sob} xx
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteBreathe... and picture 21st speeches filled with sweet revenge stories...or that moment when they become parents! I find comfort in these thoughts...knowing one day they will think...
How did mum do this?
What did she used to do/say again?
hmm... better call her and ask...
Yay to mother hood. You are a brill mum Em!
ahahah thanks for this little glimpse into the future Lisa! I'm having a cheeky giggle at the thought of them becoming parents, thats got to be life's biggest shock!
DeleteI'll tattoo my number on their foreheads now ;)
xo em
Delightful! What will our response be when they ring at 4pm...?
DeleteI shouldn't play this game.... what did I do to my parents! Argggh
You are going to adore having 3, really and truly! We may be outnumbered, but thats a good thing! Tonight my number 2 said... I will always love you, you know?
Yep... I know.
I sit in my chair, slumped and exhausted for you! I am not looking forward to Johnny returning to work on Monday, and neither are the kids. Ruby said today she didn't want Daddy to go back to work. Hoping you hit the beach and the barbie tomorrow xoxo
ReplyDeleteCraft sessions.
ReplyDeleteThat is where you fell by the by. I dream a lot as well. Place no expectations on yourself and you should be ok lovely xx
I know, it's the visual arts teacher within me, I don;t know whats wrong with me!
Deletexo em
Yep, the harsh thud of reality. We just go day by day up here. Be kind to yourself, pregnancy and toddlers are an exhausting combination, hope your week improves. mel x
ReplyDeletethanks mel, day by day is the perfect plan!
Deletexo em
The little ones do get a bit stressed when dad goes back to work again dont they, so hard for them to articulate how i affects them. they will be back into thier routine of accepting daddy is gone until dinner time again soon and the pressure will lift x
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, any change to routine is always followed by a period of adjustment.
Deletexo em
I hear you loud and clear. My hubby worked for 12hours today and it was the LONGEST day ever, PLUS, we have banned technology from our son for a few days due to bad behaviour! I was reaching for caffeine more than once today. Stay strong, good days usually follow bad ones :)
ReplyDelete12 hours days, now they REALLY bite! How about just lifting that ban for a few days ;)
Deletexo em
We'll be heading to the beach early next week and I expect you to be there too...we'll sit on our towels whilst Daniel plays Dad - to four ;) x
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan to me!
DeleteDaniel is okay with that right? ;)
xo em
Tomorrow will be awesome. The bad days are (usually) followedby the good ones. You're the best xxx
ReplyDeleteYep, I hear ya sista! Four kids here that are driving me crazy - but still love them despite. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteat the end of a long stint of solo parenting here too. some days are hard! But thankfully not ALL days or ALL or all days if that makes sense. Sleep and fresh air and pots of tea help a little. Letting things slide helps to a point to. If all else fails run a bath and plonk them both in with some cups and bowls and sit on the floor with a good book or something while you watch them. Good mood lifter all round. Hope things improve tomorrow. Take it easy.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of that line from the movie with Jo Lo I think it is where the Dad to be asks the other dad in the playground about parenting and he says something like "its awful awful awful and then something incredible happens and then its awful...".
ReplyDeleteI dont quite agree but I get the drift of this quote
At the time I think his kid is holding a turd theyve just picked up out of the sandpit or something Ha ha yep thats about right
I hear you loud and clear! Don't worry, after you spend these crazy years of young kids in a fogged daze, suddenly you'll find they have grown older and much less chaotic. :) Sometimes I miss the chase and the little messes because it meant little cuddles and tiny voices. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteSome days are just plain hard. As they get older it does tend to get somewhat easier, but even then you just want your days where you can just have a moments peace. As soon as hubby walks in the door, walk out and have a breather for yourself. It will help xx
ReplyDeletehey lady. i've got nothing for you, just empathy. take it easy on yourself, and lower those expectations. lower.
ReplyDeletelower still. for example: throwing paint at each other with no clothes on is the same as a craft session, really.
And now I want an almond croissant. I know the bakery will be my first stop at the markets tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteToday is my last day of holidays.
Then it is back to reality...work, grocery shopping, cleaning, child wrangling...sigh.
It has been a lovely three weeks...I wish it could go on forever!
Reality bites ladyface, but you certainly don't ;o)
ReplyDeleteI hope today is a better day.
Much love tx
Oh im hearing you.
ReplyDeleteReality smacked me hard in the face yesterday too.
Im hoping today will be much nicer for everyone.
Hang in there. You'll get your groove back.
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling Lady. Its OK not to stay strong and just ring a friend, or your'e mum and have a rant.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have a brighter day another day, we all have it.
x
I guess your fun time is over and yes it will be little disappointing after having such a blast.
ReplyDeleteOh how I feel for you! Praying you get a few moments to breathe and be "alone" in whatever form!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah this was my week also,, post xmas holiday blues coupled with hubby working overtime due to big jobs coming in over xmas. Not too mention too tired at night to do anything other than flop in front of the telly.
ReplyDeleteOh man, being the stay at home parent certainly does bit sometimes. Last week Lulu had the worst nappy rash which meant she spent most of the time nappy free & I can tell you I was so over cleaning up poo by the end of it. I was ready to ship her off to daycare on the Thursday and head off to work myself. Hope you have managed to get a little rest in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that my children are all at school now, and I'm not used to them being at home 24/7 anymore. For the 7 weeks of school holidays I am a full-time mama again. I TAKE OFF MY HAT TO ALL FULL TIME PARENTS EVERYWHERE. I love these little monkeys to bits but they're noisy, you know? And they need to be fed so frequently... ;) I know I'll miss them when they go back to school but I'm also kind of looking forward to it...take good care of yourself, mama xx
ReplyDeleteYes it is hard, so so hard for so many reasons. But good. You know that. That's why we do it!
ReplyDelete