Playing It By Ear

It’s a play-it-by-ear kind of day.  Sort of.  I had a hair appt and the girls came with me—ostensibly they were going to write and have boba next door but they ended up just reading and writing right at the salon.  Very patiently.  I wish I took a picture.  We also have an art class later on.

But in between was/is up for grabs.  We wandered over to one of our favorite places to eat. Then went to get sweets at our favorite French bakery WHICH IS NO LONGER THERE.  So bummed.  We made do with the lovely bakery chain next door.  My peanut butter chocolate cupcake was delicious and the had gluten free options for Mini Me but I’m still disappointed.  Not in the baking, but in the fact that I can’t go to that French bakery anymore.  

Currently we are sitting beneath a canopy and enjoying the summer sun (Little Lion) and shade (Mini Me and me) and summer breeze.  I’m restless and I’ve been forbidden from taking more pictures.  Mini Me is reading VE Schwab’s The Near Witch and laughing out loud at a scene in which the main character punches a guy (who was trying to pull her away somewhere against her will.  DELAYED SPOILER ALERT). Little Lion is writing on her laptop. 

And me? I’m reveling in the fact that our little trio is happy and content right now.  It may just be for a moment, but it’s here nonetheless.

Last week, Little Lion had a mini meltdown after we had two wonderful summer days together.  She was upset that I had to go back to work the next day.  Basically she proclaimed that Mommies and Daddies shouldn’t have to work in summertime because they need to be spending time with their kids.

Whoa.  It was a LOT.  But at the same time, it makes complete sense.  She needs to have time with us that is not just tucking in to bed, reminding her of chores, driving her to events.

That’s what our play-it-by-ear summer days can be.  Sometimes we tend to over schedule our kids’ days.  And sometimes I’m guilty of under scheduling.  But like a wise parent said to me a few weeks ago in the office: our kids need to be bored.  It’s summer. 

This ‘boredom’ is a bit of a refresher time.  A time to let creative juices flow.  A time to contemplate oneself. A time to wander around without direction, and soak in the sun, and just be. 

#Appreciatethelittlemoments #Ilovebeingamom #ilovebeingapediatrician

[Side note: This was written last Tuesday. I’m sure we will do a different meandering of our day today. Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke is also pictured because I’m re-reading the trilogy in anticipation of the Mighty Jack x Zita crossover that is going to be released on Septempber 3rd. Can’t wait!]