Days Like That

Sometimes, when I am caught up at work, but miserably behind on things at home, it occurs to me to take a day off and restore the balance. I like to pretend that I am a stay-at-home mom on days like this. While I am pretending, I go ahead and tell myself that I am really, really good at it. When I get to have a stay-at-home mom day, I really do it like I mean it. Anybody can be that person they would like to be for one day. Friday was that day.

Instead of getting up at 5, I slept in until 6:45. I stayed in my pajamas as I got the big kids up and ready for school. After they were safely loaded on the big bus, I had a quick visit with my sister while starting breakfast. I cooked bacon, eggs, toast, and homemade hash browns. We ate together--just the three of us. Kevin left to be productive, and I got Megan dressed and ready for the day, complete with little Laura Ingalls braids. I spent 15 minutes on my neglected elliptical machine. Still in my pajamas.

After my “workout,” I took a shower and got ready for the day. It was getting close to nine o’clock. I got busy with things like dishes, laundry, and trips to the potty with Megan. I left the TV off and the music on. I let Megan help me a lot, and when I was unable to resist her adorableness any longer, I sat right down on the kitchen floor to help her feed her baby doll, and to collect some hugs and kisses. We danced. I got out some frozen hot rolls to thaw, and put a roast in the oven with potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and onion for our supper.

I warmed up some leftover chili for lunch, and Kevin came home to eat with us. Megan talked me into painting her fingernails and toenails. “Mommy, my pity na-ohs all gone! I need my pity na-ohs back! I like purpoe.” It seemed like a good idea, so I did my toes while I was at it. I put Megan down for her nap, and then I baked cookies for the big kids to enjoy when they got home from school. After nap time we picked Kevin up and took him to get his tractor. Megan loves to go see her daddy, and she loves getting to see the cows or tractors.

The kids had an early out, and when the big bus came into view, Megan squealed with delight, “My Masson!! My bruda!” I let her run outside to greet them because waiting until they walked all the way to the door was not an option. I am glad I had our evening meal under control because I really did not do a whole lot for the rest of the day. Pretending to be awesome is kind of exhausting. After dinner, I took Madison to meet her friend for a sleepover. I watched a little TV while Jaron and Megan played in their pajamas. I gathered all of our hunting accessories, and camo and orange gear for the big opening day of deer season.

It was a good day. I am thinking about having days like that every Friday.