Work Week

Dude. Alex was gone for seven days. In. A. Row. And I had an absolutely beautiful time with my four kids. We went fishing, baked cookies, and even spent some time at the orchard. I’m just kidding. None of that happened. I was single-moming it for seven days and I Did. Not. Like. It. How my house didn’t burn down during this time is a straight up miracle. But at least we had nothing going on during his seven year – I mean day – absence. I’m just kidding again. Scarlett had her first day of school ever. Rose was the Star of the Day. (Basically the peak of every child’s school year and creates the excitement level of Christmas and their birthday all rolled into one. Also involves Mom having to buy age appropriate, individually wrapped, peanut free, healthy snacks for a small army. And sending a special toy for her to show off.) Scarlett was the Special Helper. On the same day. It’s the same thing as Star of the Day, but in preschool form and also involves beverages. One kid was exposed to lice. (Thank God we’re still in the clear there.) It was Spirit Week. Which means 10 themed outfits that I had to plan and pick out and then fight with my kids to wear. (Camo Day with three girls is not a fan favorite.) I had two soccer games. Two soccer practices. Two sick kids. Two other kids claiming to be sick (but I have not officially ruled on that yet. They might be bluffing.) One graduation Open House. Mass. One kid that despises going to school in the morning. I decided last minute to throw in a birthday party, because that seemed like fun. (You know how I like to do that on busy solo weeks.) Technically, the birthday party wasn’t until the day Alex got home so he wouldn’t miss it. However, naturally all the prep work fell on me, because Alex was in Orlando. “Working”. During Elle‘s soccer practice the coach asked the adults if they would feel comfortable having a full scrimmage with the kids. So I ended up playing a full field game of soccer on an 80° day. It was the easiest part of my week. And not because I’m great at soccer. And don’t even get me started on bedtime. Scarlett decided this week that sleep is optional. Our bedtime routine was basically me putting her in her crib. Me walking out the door. Her walking out the door. Me putting her in her crib. Me walking out the door. Her walking out the door. Repeat this 7,466 times. You get the picture. I genuinely think I might be suffering from a little bit of hearing loss in my left ear. No joke. During one of the many times that I dragged her back into her room she let out a bloodcurdling scream that likely woke up Alex in Florida as he peacefully slumbered. Her face was pointed directly at my ear when this happened and I’m not sure I’ll ever be the same. The picture below is of her, again, getting out of her bed and then hiding so that I wouldn’t find her. She’s such a sleuth! On Wednesday night alone, after everyone, including myself, had finally fallen asleep, I had to get up with kids an additional seven times throughout the night. I then got pulled over first thing in the morning on my way into work and was given a ticket. Which is another whole story. Don’t get me started. You can’t make this stuff up. And then…when we finally had Grant’s first birthday party this evening I was grabbing my phone to get a picture of him with his cake and I looked away just long enough for him to try to grab the flame. Inducing immediate tears and an end to his cake enjoyment. I have now had enough Mom Guilt that I can officially call it a week!