My day

I made a sudden twist in bed and woke Charlie up at 6:30. Something I try to not do every morning.

I laid in bed until 7:15 or 7:30 just listening to Charlie talk away while pretending to be asleep.

I woke up, made a delicious cup of strong coffee, sipped it out of my new eco-mug and read books with the kids.

I took a shower, brought both kids downstairs and went out to breakfast with two old teaching friends.

My parents slept in and therefore were not ready for my rambunctious kids, so I set them up in my mom's chair and did something I rarely do. I put a show on my computer and asked my dad to keep an eye on them while my mom showered and got ready for the day.

I walked away and turned around to find them snuggled together on the chair, savoring every minute of their treat, with kate's arm around Charlie's shoulder.

Life is pretty good.

I ate an omelet, listened to educational news going on in Pescadero, talked about my kids, my life, my tutoring.

I raced home and called one of Charlie's new friends from nursery school and set up a beach playdate for this gorgeous, warm, and non-windy day.

I brought my oldest friend Jackie, her two beautiful daughters, and unborn son along with us.

I felt calm, confident, and happy while at the beach with three other moms and 6 little kids.

I talked, listened, laughed, played, and ate.

I came home, got Kate down for a nap, set up a fort for Charlie to read and play in, and made a delicious dinner.

I raced out the door as soon as the mashed potatoes were done to pick up C my youngest tutoring student ever, and spoke, read, and taught all in Spanish for an hour.

I returned home to play tumble rumble in the backyard with Charlie until 5, when I had to go to tutor again.

I watched J do long division, and multiplication. I heard him read more fluently and faster than ever before and retain much of what he read. I helped him write two great paragraphs about lions, listened to the story of his day, and felt so passionate about what I am doing....with almost all the minutes of my day.

Connecting with other mothers. Conquering my phone phobias, letting go of my expectations of exactly how Charlie should act, spending time relating to children that are not my own. Preparing food grown in my area. Making time for books to be read for the upteenth time, forts to be made and remade, games of giggles, tickles, and tackles....time for myself and my professional growth. Time to enjoy something as simple as a cup of coffee or strawberry. And now with Charlie asleep and Kate on her way, time for a glass of wine and adam's company.

I am well-loved, and love well.