Having Fun Anyway

It’s funny how you can be sad about a change of plans, but still see it as a blessing at the same time. Yesterday I was supposed to head to Little Rock with Doug to go to a conference. The kids were ecstatic to get to stay with one of their favorite people. But, as we were making our way to the door to load up and leave, we got a phone call that changed all of our plans. The kids and I ended up staying home, and Doug headed to the conference a little later than planned …alone.

I had already planned our school week for three days, so we decided to stick with that. Yesterday I got a couple of little things done, but mostly I just hung out with the kids. We watched lots and lots of Bugs Bunny, played some games, and enjoyed each other’s company.

And this morning? I was going to let the kids sleep in, but Angie and Steven were before 7:00, and even Olivia didn’t sleep past 7:30. Steven was even dressed before he came in to snuggle! They all did their chores in record time and then disappeared to the back of the house. It’s after 11:00 now, and I’ve hardly  heard a peep out of them except when they have emerged to show me a Lego creation.

There is one thing that is about to drive me nuts, but I’m glad I’m allowing it all at the same time. Four out of the five of us like to be dressed. Sometimes Steven and Angie will ask to eat breakfast in their pajamas, but typically they are like Doug and me – they don’t feel like their day has really started until they are dressed. Olivia, on the other hand, could live in pj’s! She rarely gets to stay in them very long because she just doesn’t get with the day very quickly and smoothly if she’s still in pj lounge mode. Today, though, I have let her stay in her pajamas. She’s absolutely delighted! The only requirement I’ve given her is that I need her pajamas before I wash the last load of “darks” today because that set needs to be washed. Yep, she’s a pretty happy camper today!

So, here I am, sitting in the living room in front of a fire that I don’t really need (it’s not that cold out!) but sure am enjoying,  getting some writing and computer work done. Laundry is going, and it will be time to figure out lunch in a little while. But, for the moment I sit here peacefully. I hear laughter, quacking, and mooing from the back, but I’m not worried about them. I’d be lying if I said that I still wouldn’t have rather been with Doug. After all, the Skit Guys were at the conference, and I haven’t seen them in person in about ten years! Even so, I’m enjoying the day.

Oh! I have to share my interaction with Steven last night. I went to tuck him into bed and started playfully snuggling with his stuffed puppy. He laughingly pulled the puppy away, so I asked him what I was supposed to snuggle with.

“You’re supposed to snuggle with…” he began enthusiastically. But, then he stopped and a look of awareness set in. “….oh, wait,” he finished. (He usually tells me I’m supposed to snuggle with Daddy.) He then informed me that I could snuggle with him. In fact, he said he and his sisters could all three snuggle with me so I wouldn’t be alone.  He’s so sweet to his mommy – as long as I don’t try to take his Harvey Puppy! (And no, I didn’t take him up on his offer. I kind of preferred to actually try to get sleep last night, something I knew I wouldn’t do with a child in my bed!)

Yep, it’s been a good couple of days.