Enjoy Them #SB2014

"Enjoy them!"

This is what my pediatrician says upon exit of every visit. Every. single. visit. Those first two years I really need to be reminded of that. The stress of being a new mother was daunting. Then transitioning from one to two children...wow! It was nice to sometimes be reminded to just .... enjoy.

And that is what I have done this week of Spring Break 2014. I have chosen to enjoy my kids. No, we didn't go on vacation. No, there went any big trips booked. Believe it or not, I let my Type A personality take a back seat and didn't even plan any outings. No, John didn't even get to take a day off work. I just went with the flow. No plan, no schedule. For me...this was a stretch, but I LOVED it.

The boys and I had an amazing time. Just me and them. I get this privilege each time school is closed, but this was a whole week. I was stoked! Sleeping in (7am for me), staying in PJs, playgrounds, tickle fights, more playgrounds, friends, ice cream and just getting to know my kids better.

Sweet brother moment - sharing a ladybug.

I know that sounds funny. I birthed them. I am raising them. But in all honesty, I only get to see my kids from 5-8 each week night. We have the morning, but things are so rushed, I don't count that as quality time. Even on school nights once we get home at 5 or 5:30, I am unpacking three lunches, repacking three lunches, unpacking backpacks, repacking backpacks, helping Evan with homework and getting three different dinners made for the four people in our family (yes...yes...I know this is my own fault). Our 'family' time doesn't usually start until we sit down for dinner after 6. By 7:30 we are starting our bedtime routine. So an hour and a half. Sad, isn't it?

Sometimes when I really stop and think about it, I do get sad. But then I know this is how God designed our family and I have two choices. Pout or choose to enjoy. This why I chose to go 'hands free' between 5-8. So I can enjoy them. That's why I chose to exercise after they go to bed. So I can enjoy them.

So I was stoked about a whole week with the boys. But let's be real. There have been Spring Breaks when they were younger that I cried over having them all to myself week. Luke was too young to do much and Evan was too old to be cooped up in the house. It was hard. Very hard. But now, while it isn't easy, it's FUN!

We had impromptu playdates with friends from school. We had outings with friends to KidsPlay. We had a movie and PJ day. We read book after book after book. We went to playgrounds. We got ice cream in the afternoon. We played board games. We had so many tickle fights. We wrestled on the bed. We hugged on the couch. We just enjoyed each other.

Was is DisneyWorld? Was it the beach? Was it skiing? No. But was it perfect for me? Yes. And it's my choice to enjoy them everyday.