Monday, March 16, 2009

Slice of life - 3/14/09 (Saturday)

"Bye, bye!" I say, waving to Ander and Laurie in the back seat of Aunt Hazel's minivan as they depart the Anthem outlets. She is taking them for 3 nights -- allowing Shane and I an unprecedented kid-free weekend.

There's a twang in my heart but I stifle it and take advantage of the free time. This is how I spend the next 24 hours (these may seem like simple things but those who have experience with young ones or have been with me with Ander will understand):
  • Shop with Jeanette at Ann Taylors -- for more than 10 minutes. Try on clothes. Pay for them and have a conversation with the cashier that doesn't include, "Ander, put that down please."
  • Drive in the car. In silence. Without checking the mirror to watch the child in the back seat.
  • Get a haircut. During naptime.
  • Have a coke (not lemonade or fruit punch), without sharing, or trying to talk Ander into his juice as I drink from a straw.
  • Vacumm the car. Dispose of all the cereal and chips that were in the seats and on the floor before Ander picks them up and eats them. Put the bag of toys in the trunk. Remember what the car looked like clean on the day we got it.
  • Not rush home.
  • Go out to dinner. For an hour. Not take the diaper bag. And back-up toys.
  • Go home and not have to put anyone to bed but me.
  • Walk around the house in nothing but a sweatshirt as Shane showers with the door open.
  • Go "potty" alone. Take as long as I want.
  • Sleep in. Past 6:30 a.m.
  • Eat breakfast. In the livingroom. Not watching cartoons.
  • Sit still. Not pick up any mess. Or change any diapers.
  • Pack a bag for a weekend away. With only my belongings.
  • Ride in the car. And not turn around to hand over a drink, snack, or toy.

It's the simple things, really, that bring luxury.

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