This morning, as my two boys were sitting nicely at the table drawing and creating and complimenting each other on their works of art, I looked at them with eyes all loving and misty, and said, “I sure am going to miss you guys when you go back to school. I like having you both home all day.”
Aria, age 1.5, was in her high chair eating some dried Apple Jacks – well, Apple Dapples, the Market Basket version of Apple Jacks – looking all cute with her headful of messy curls. I didn’t even mind that most of them were on the floor. It was nearly like a picture print by Currier & Ives: summertime version.
That was 9am.
Flash forward 5 hours.
It’s now 2pm and both boys have had separate playdates – one home, one away – and have eaten lunch. I’ve cleaned up the mess of toys and a table full of dishes and half-eaten cheese sandwiches and squished blueberries off the floor. The baby is napping, so I agree to let them play some Wii and decide to sit down so I can get some writing done. I set up the Wii and leave the room and at the exact moment my butt hits the chair and I open my laptop, there is a problem with the Wii. Problem solved, I sit back down. Immediately after, bickering ensues. My 4-year-old is screaming at my 8-year-old who is screaming for me. WTF. I stomp into the family room, wielding a silent fury that seems a tad too extreme for the situation. In the background, some a-hole is running a chainsaw.
Suddenly that picture print by Currier & Ives is looking more like Munch’s The Scream.
I want school to start. Now. I don’t care that we’ve only been out since June 25. I don’t care that most of the summer lies ahead of us in all its unbridled freedom. We’ve already been on our vacation to Maine, where we spent 7 glorious days kayaking, fishing, hiking, rockhounding, swimming and just having some old-fashioned fun with good friends, good food and good wine. The kids have had some playdates. They’ve enjoyed their fair share of sun. Bring on 3rd grade and pre-K. What time is bus pick-up?
But wait. What is that I hear? Talking. In normal voices! Not screaming, at least not at each other. The boys are conversing nicely and complimenting each other on their Wii playing. They are working together to to conquer Mario’s enemies and collect Power Stars. They are cheering in unison. How wonderful, the brotherly love! I sure am glad it’s summer vacation.
Until I’m not.
I miss those days when you and Michael were young, I know you enjoy it , I can tell, It goes by in a flash, Best family ever!!!