Mommy Holiday

I was pregnant with my fourth child 

To this day the most vivid memory I have of that pregnancy was complete, unmitigated exhaustion

From the moment of conception I walked around in a state of constant fatigue.

Brett was 7, Lindly was 5 and Blake not quite 2.

Unfortunately,  7 and 5 year olds aren't very adept at getting themselves off to school and almost 2 year olds.... well lets just say they can certainly be demanding.

I did not have the energy to do all that the school day required. Lunches, checking back packs, supervision of teeth brushing, picking out school clothes, not to mention dressing the demanding two year old to walk the others to school.

Thus the "mommy holiday" was born.

In a moment of pure weakness.... I announced "no school today"

There was great joy and merriment!!

In the midst of the celebration I recall Brett stopping to ask "why"

I just think we need a holiday today. 

So, in the middle of the school year we had an easy day of lounging in our jammies, videos, a few video games, snacks and a general slowing down of our own particular rat race.

Despite my weariness I thoroughly enjoyed the kids that day, it was the only thing on the agenda.

From that day on I made sure we had a couple of "mommy holidays" each year. It wasn't something we did often so it was always an unexpected treat. 

Lindly is in college now, she is pre med and taking organic chemistry this summer. I've missed her terribly. We talk often though and just last night she was telling me how excited she is that she has discovered a study partner who is also a big "Harry Potter" fan.

 Harry Potter movies have always been prime "mommy holiday" material.

They have made plans to see the midnight showing. Lindly, the boys and I went to the midnight showing of the last movie. 

I haven't asked the boys if they want to go, they are 17 and 15 now 

I imagine that going to the midnight showing of Harry Potter with mom might not be high on the list of "must do's" for their summer.

I'll ask anyway.......

As I reflect on the mommy holidays gone by, I feel a bit melancholy. Harry, Ron and Hermione won't be the same without Lindly.

I hope that some day in the future, a youngster will have a "mommy holiday" and it will be a trip to grandma's house

and that grandma will be me