Taking a breath

 

Yesterday was full. L and C played with friends in the morning. In the afternoon I cooked and cleaned for a dinner party with N's family. We entertained until 10 p.m. and L and C stayed up past their bedtime to play with a doting Grandpa V, tio, tia and cousins. N stayed up even later packing and rose early to start his drive for a four-day hiking trip with his brother C. Yesterday was a blessed but exhausting day.

This morning, the children and I woke late and I knew right away we needed to stay home today. L and C squabbled over coloring pages. Smudgy wine glasses and a half-eaten blueberry-plum tart remained in the kitchen from last night's party. Loads of laundry were in various stages of completion in scattered corners of the house. Brother and sister were both desperate for a bath. My body required continual snacking and frequent moments off my feet.

So I bathed the tots. L took toys to her room for some playtime sans little brother. C puttered around downstairs in a sometimes crabby, sometimes content mood, all the while apparently having forgotten about being a big boy and simply could not be bothered with the potty. I followed him around with all-purpose cleaner and old towels for what seemed like all day. I tended to most of the chores, but also spent a lot of time pausing. Contemplating. Mulling ideas for my next sewing project. Snacking. Singing with L in her make-believe livingroom music class. Holding, reading to and snuggling C. Letting him rest, too.

 

Later we went to the pool for an evening swim and grabbed take-out. I have very little to show for the day. The kitchen is still a little messy. I didn't tackle any big projects. I don't think I taught L anything new. C is already in need of another bath. Today we just caught our breath. Tomorrow, if the air is fresh and our brains are eager, we'll try our hands at something great.