I don’t even know where to begin with what the last few months have looked like. To summarize in a paragraph, it has been a whirlwind to say the least. Since my last post, I started back at work full time, navigated the summer through an on-going global pandemic and some heavy grief directed at the broken, cruel world we live in, oh and let’s not forget I’m doing this while negotiating my way through my own divorce process, good times! On the positive side, I bought a house, moved out of my parent’s basement, did a lot of camping with my family and I registered to start school this fall! It’s been a bit bananas! We certainly deserved a chill weekend around home!
While our summer has felt pretty full-on, I have found myself kid-free more often than not, and while that may have sounded like “the dream” a couple of years ago, it has been incredibly lonely and quite hard. I am so grateful to my parents, who’ve stepped up in huge ways to support Arthur and I, specifically when it comes to childcare! That has meant that their vacation days at the lake this year were spent as grandparents, with Bear tagging along for sometimes a week at a time so I could be at work (lucky kid!). Throw in some long weekends with his dad, Arthur really hasn’t spent much time in our new home! That is, in part, why I feel like this weekend has been such a special one!
You know you’re raising them right when the conversation goes “Mum, when are you off work again?” “I’m off tomorrow, Sunday AND Monday!” “Good! Can we please sleep in?!” It sounds silly, but this poor kid, hasn’t had a morning to just sleep in and “go slow” in his own home in the two months we’ve lived here! With my work schedule, he typically is up and shuttled off to his day at Grandma and Grandpa’s house before he is even fully awake! This weekend, we have fully embraced the relaxation!
We made time for some sweet treats, visits with friends, a little back to school shoe shopping, and a trip to the hardware store on Saturday, before arriving home and kicking it into the ultimate chill mode! We managed to find the perfect balance between productivity, fun, and relaxation! This is so rare in my life, I think I appreciate it so much more than most would!
I can tell that Arthur has really been craving quality time! He respected my need to spend a little time studying on Saturday, but gently came upstairs to suggest a brain break midway through the afternoon! The glee on his face when I jumped on the trampoline and made up some silly dances on our porch was so heartwarming! I don’t spend enough time having FUN with him, and it is most evident to me when I finally do put in that time with him! He just soaks it up!
Sunday was a pyjama day! The wind was strong all day, but we still managed to enjoy our back yard! It feels like an oasis there! We cuddled on the swing, by the pond, I watched Arthur jump and show me all his tricks and moves and listened to his endless stories and ideas about the world, nature, back to school, things he’d like to see and build, and what he needs to achieve his goals (hint, he is pretty convinced it’s just a lot of money)! And ended off the day watching a hockey game on TV, enjoying more delicious food!
This weekend has been just filled with soul-soothing and heart-healing moments! I didn’t even realize just how challenging this summer has been until I had what was missing here with me! I’d sell him to the circus most days, but it’s like missing a limb, or my right ventricle, whenever he is away! Having my baby close by, enjoying simple little moments with him has been exactly what I needed! And a slow, fun-filled weekend at home, is what he’s been needing too!
There is a LOT expected from him over the next few years, it can’t be easy growing up in a single-parent household when that parent is working full time AND taking distance courses! Time is precious! And a normal amount of attention is hard to come by, but I could not be more proud of my little sidekick! He is caring and wise beyond his years! And while not every moment is a perfect one, I’m so grateful to have had this special weekend together before the chaos hits our lives full force next week!
Love ya,
