Saturday, August 02, 2008

confessions of a triplet mother

Charlie took the children out to lunch and then to a matinée to see the new Pixar film Wall-E, today. Henry and I had three hours together.

Three hours.

In the middle of the day.

Instead of taking a leisurely stroll on the beach, or completing the grocery shopping, or taking a nap, or painting the exterior ... I cleaned the house from top to bottom while Henry crawled around after me.

The whole time, all 180 minutes of it, I was absolutely giddy with happiness.

I can't effectively express the sense of satisfaction it gave me to tidy up a room, leave that room, and walk back in to that room 10 minutes later and it was still neat. For three full hours, I had nothing to do but whatever my heart desired. Which, today, it was all about cleaning the house.

I was so obsessed excited that I pulled out the Q-tips and scoured the tracks for our closet doors. Where does all this goop come from?


The moment I finished cleaning and was putting away all of my supplies and preparing to sit down and read Henry a book ... the front door burst open and in came Charlie with the wrecking crew children in tow.

Sure, it was good to see that they all arrived home safely ... but try as I might, I couldn't suppress the "Oh damn!" that slipped out as soon as I heard them arrive.

As suspected, within 30 minutes, the house was a disaster.

I was breaking up fights, sending children in to time out, and my ear drums started to bleed from all the whining. The only thing that kept me from going ABSOLUTELY NUTS is that I caught a glimpse of the calendar and remembered that Montessori starts next month.

Thirty-one days from now. 732 hours. Not like I'm counting, or anything. Because I'm sure I'll miss them terribly for those three hours a day. (Although probably not the first or second day.) (Or anytime within the first month).


But ... for three hours a day, I'll be free.

FREE!


Thank God Almighty, I'll be free!

Am I the only one that can hear "Gloria! Gloria in Excelsis Deo!"?

9 comments:

  1. Thanks. Before bed every night I can count on you for a laugh.

    Not that I think it's funny that your house gets destroyed after you cleaned it. Because that truly stinks. I feel your pain lately and am looking forward to school for that reason.

    But you just have a great way of sharing about the destruction.

    Thanks!

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  2. Sounds like a Win-Win. I love Montessori, and three hours. it's a good thing. I'm looking forward to their first day right along with you!

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  3. My 2 little preschoolers are going to school in 1 month too! I am ripping off the daily calendar everyday singing, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"

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  4. I am right there singing with you; Both of mine will be in preschool come September!! Three days a week, FOUR hours a day. For the first time in over 4 years, I will have 12 hours a week to myself!!!!

    Wouldn't you know it, I have been thinking about wanting to try for another lately... I must be insane.

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  5. HA! I beg to differ.

    Chances are you will miss them TERRIBLY the first day. Or two. Especially because they're with someone you don't know

    But, when Christmas vacation comes around, you will be savoring every single minute before school break starts, and counting down the minutes until school starts again!!

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  6. You may miss them...but you will get over it. I hear your chatter - mine are at a friend's house (she has 8 kids - I guess she figures what are two more - personally, I'd need an adult beverage) and have been for the last 3 hours. Hubs just went to pick them up and asked if I wanted to go too - um, let me think about that for a second. NOPE!

    I'm just waiting for their rage when they find out I "cleaned" up the Legos they were supposed to take care of before they left. Sigh...

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  7. I was just thinking, I wonder if you are still going to church? If so I'm wondering what your pastor has to say about your free time, and any future children!! He was so helpful last time, right?!?! HAHA.

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  8. Quick! Stock up on Q-tips imagine what you can accomplish while they're gone LOL

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  9. You are SO GROSS!

    I'm singing too. Heck, I'm shouting from the rooftop. I get 8.5 hours of freedom in a month. YAHOO! Glory be! I might just tap dance right down to San Diego from the sheer joy of it.

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