The Sound of Silence

For 8 years I cherished any time that I had completely to myself because it was not something that happened very often. Don't get me wrong, it was totally by choice. I wanted the chaos of having kids who were close in age - Mason is 46 months older than Mary Jane with Charlotte right in between them.

Then it happened, we were in what seemed to be the middle of a great summer when, all of a sudden, it was time to go back to school. There is one huge difference this year, Mary Jane is joining her brother and sister at the elementary school. She won the lottery and got a spot in the coveted pre-k program at the school. As she starts the 2nd week, I think that she feels more tired than lucky. She is not an early riser by nature, and the school day is now starting 10 minutes earlier (can they really do that?). 7:15 - 7:45 has not been a fun time for us, I'm hoping it will get better.

What does all of this mean for me? My kids are all in school from 7:50 - 2:20. Wow! Since I wasn't really ready to be done with preschool, I've taken a job helping out a couple of mornings a week in the toddler room there. I'll still have some free time on my hands. Maybe I should give cooking a try, and perhaps I'll finally get organized around here. Exercise has got to make it onto my to do list. But first, I've got to get use to the silence. I'm off to get a latte (alone) and run a few errands. And I'm a little sad that I don't have anyone to buckle into a carseat while I'm out. I guess it would seem strange if I stopped at the zoo by myself.

My days are still busy, after school we have homework, playdates, karate, gymnastics, choir, etc. I just have a different type of day now, and Mary Jane and I need to adjust to the new schedule. I'm glad that for 8 years I spent most of my time with my kids, it has flown by. Today's latte - listen to your kids, it's much more fun than the sound of silence.

A Whole Foods Latte

Literally, I had a latte today from Whole Foods and it inspired me to write again. Who knew they made such a good iced, non-fat mocha with half the mocha? The summer is winding down, and we're spending this last week of vacation shifting gears so that next Monday won't come as quite a shock. We were running low on practically everything and expecting some friends for lunch so off to Whole Foods we went.

I know, it's a little pricey, and I've heard it referred to as "Whole Paycheck," but it really is a great store. It is worth it to me to spend a little extra money to shop in a store where my kids don't keep asking me to put more junk food in the shopping cart. They seem to have figured out what I'm doing. Today Mason asked if I would buy a box of lollipops, "but Mommy, they're organic" was his plea. We didn't get the lollipops, but we did get some sorbet from the gelato counter right next to the lattes.

I realize that Whole Foods might not be the right place for every mom to shop. I would prefer to grow tomatoes in my own garden, but since I haven't gotten around to that, yet, I feel better knowing that I'm getting local organic tomatoes for my family. Today's latte is to at least go try a latte, they're really good and actually a little less expensive than at some other coffee shops, and while you're there, stroll around. I've gotten a few great organic cotton tees while shopping there. My kids may not understand what organic means, but they know it's something healthy, and so that's a start.