By the time the girls went to bed last night, I was exhausted. We spent part of the morning outside, which required stealth-like maneuvers at times. With a baby in my arms, and two toddlers running in opposite directions, I got in a nice workout. By the time I wrangled everyone back inside, it became clear that there was no way we could move forward with our day until everyone bathed. Completing that task was almost as much of a workout as chasing the girls around.
After nap time, we piled into the car for an ice cream date with Grandpa and a birthday party for Grandma. Sure, ice cream before dinner isn't exactly the proper order or operations, but we make exceptions, especially when we randomly experience an 80 degree day. I did my best to clean off all the strawberry stickiness, before loading the girls back up to head over to my grandma's. We spent a couple of hours celebrating my mom's birthday before it became clear that I had to get these girls home before a meltdown occurred.
As I buckled everyone in, Ava insisted on wearing my grandma's hat home. Good thing she didn't mind letting us borrow it so I could drive in peace. Well, we had peace for about 30 seconds. For no reason at all, Mia and Ava decided to cry for twenty excruciating minutes. I couldn't wait to get home. Needless to say, it didn't take long for me to fall asleep last night. Eliana slept for 6 straight hours, which is her longest stretch thus far. Unfortunately, I couldn't fall back asleep after feeding her. I finally dozed off just before Mate's alarm went off. Before heading downstairs for breakfast, he peeled our sleeping baby off my chest so I could get out of bed. Instead of getting up, I rolled over, wrapped myself in the blankets and wished I could stay there forever, or at least long enough to catch up on some sleep. Okay, a minute will have to do . . . I thoroughly enjoyed that minute. I sleepily trudged downstairs, hoping the day would go by quickly.
And, then, the wonderful happens. I hear Eliana squealing with happiness as she swings. Mate hugs me and it reminds me that I am lucky I don't have to leave my family everyday. The girls come down for breakfast calling my name. We giggle while eating our pancakes. Eliana sleeps peacefully in the swing. I have time to play. Mia looks up at me and says, "hold hands". I take her little hand in mine. She pulls me over to a pile of plastic letters. The three of us practice letter sounds. I am thankful they are so interested in learning. The wonderful happens. Everyday. Sometimes I have to look a little closer to find it, but it is there. Today, it showed up in a big way. I'm not so sleepy, anymore.
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