FUN FUN FUN!!!

School holidays are upon us once again, and we've been having loads of fun. Every morning we leave the house shortly after 9AM and don't generally return til Ryan's naptime. Then once Ryan wakes up, we head out once again for an afternoon play. We've been getting good use of our annual pool passes, my gym membership (the kids LOVE the daycare there!), our Marineland park passes as well as plenty of playground visits. Sometimes we join a group of friends, and sometimes we do our own thing, but I'm finding of late that even if I join a group of friends, I don't get much time to converse with anyone. My hands are full with both boys, and at the moment, they are both full-on demanding of my attention. With Ryan, it's because he finds mischief anywhere we go...wanders off...empties trash cans...insists on climbing UP slides while others are waiting to descend, etc. With Andrew, it's one question after another, and even if I am engaged in a conversation with a friend, he is constantly interrupting, (though politely says "Excuse Me") only to find out what it is we are talking about! It's IMPOSSIBLE to talk on the phone when he is in the room..."Excuse me mommy, excuse me Mommy, why....?or what....?" It's all quite comical really, but can be excruciatingly frustrating when there is something I am really trying to discuss! When we're in the car, he now asks questions about every song that comes on the radio. "Who let the dogs out" song, resulted in "Who let the dogs out mommy?" "What dogs?" "Why?" "Did they go to jail?" "Did the dogs have big teeth?" Message in a bottle..."what is a message in a bottle?" What does SOS mean?" AAAHHHHH!!! But all in all, it's extremely enjoyable to have this time with the boys together, especially knowing that in a quick two weeks, one of them will be back in school full time. My mom asked me why I go out so much and the truth is, as I think most moms of more than one child would attest to, is that it is EASIER and more enjoyable for everyone. Yes, we can certainly have fun at home, playing games, puzzles, play-doh, painting, drawing, toys, etc. but each activity lasts a maximum of 30 minutes, generally involves a huge mess to clean up afterwards, and can be utterly exhausting! If I'm being honest though, another thing I absolutely love about the school holidays is that Andrew does not nap when he's home; therefore bedtime is a very strict 7PM for both of them, and it is an absolute relief at 7:05PM when I get to pour myself a well earned glass of vino, knowing that both of them are out cold for the night, and I have a couple hours to myself before going to sleep. During school, Andrew takes a "sieste" every single day and is therefore very alert and wide awake until pretty close to 10PM which is actually past my desired bedtime. But at the end of the two weeks, I have a heavy heart when Andrew returns to school. The house is too quiet, and Ryan bores easily without his big brother around to entertain him. And it doesn't help that Andrew is not keen, to say the least, about the prospect of going back to school. Perhaps we have too much fun over the holidays...and maybe if he had time to get slightly bored at home, "la rentree" (return to school) would be easier. But no regrets...it's precious time we get to share together, that I will treasure always.