break time over

   We enjoyed a really nice spring break. I actually enjoyed two. My sister, her kids, and my dad all came to visit on their spring  break which was the week before ours here began. So, we enjoyed a lot of family time and a nice day trip to Destin, Fl. before they headed back home.
   Our spring break started that very Friday night of the kids last day of school. We were lucky enough to score tickets to see the Duck Dynasty guys! The night was amazing. The kids were so excited and the guys were hilarious as usual. We left feeling like we had been to church and a comedy show all in one. It was a great start.
   The first few days were spent laying around relaxing. I can't even verify that we showered regularly! lol!! Let's just say pj's became the new fashion and hygiene was optional...at least for the first couple of days. Once we had gotten the lazy out of our systems we actually went outside of the house to enjoy the rest of the break. Our oldest went to the beach for a few days with some friends and their parents, and the rest of us headed to Destin to hang out on the beach and eat some good seafood. It was really nice.
   The ocean was still a little cold but it didn't stop Nathan from living in it the entire time we were there. He rushed us to the beach every morning and then had to be forced off the beach in the evening. I would like to boast for a minute about the fact that we finally successfully made a beach trip with out any sunburns!! I was obsessive about the sunblock this time and it paid off. Can't tell you how much more enjoyable a beach trip is when you don't leave with third degree burns.
   We came back on Saturday with one whole day left to relax (or in my case, get the house cleaned and all the laundry done so the kids wouldn't be naked the first day back to school!). Sunday we celebrated Easter with church and an Easter egg hunt. I missed the usual Easter get together with our family since we are so far away now, but over all it was a good day.
   As I was getting Nathan ready for bed that night I told him it was back to school work the next day. He looked at me with total surprise mixed with a smidge of injustice and said, " What?!! How many days of freedom did I have?" I laughed and told him how many days he'd had out of school. He looked disappointed for a minute then looked up with a renewed spirit and informed me that I needed to check the calendar because he was pretty sure he had one more day left.
   Our fist day back in school mode was ironically April Fools Day. Despite our desire to sleep longer and stay in our pjs we managed quite well. Now the count down begins to the end of the year!! Summer break is almost here!!

A peek at what a mom is really thinking sometimes...

   It's been a long week. As most of you know I home school our youngest son, Nathan. It is also common knowledge that Nathan is "challenging" if you will. He is determined, strong willed, and creative. He is passionate about the things he is interested in and not afraid of adventure. These are all qualities that I love in him and will help develop him into a strong adult.
   As a mom it is written somewhere in our DNA to always say kind things about our children. Especially in front of other mothers. Because of that it took me a long time to create that politically correct description of Nathan that you just read. In reality, that description was code for...
  "He won't listen for anything, It's his way or the highway,  destructive as the Tasmanian Devil, thinks whatever he has to say is more important, and if he runs off on another "adventure" I'm gonna chip him!"
But, that would be horrible to say about my sweet, creative, future leader so you will NEVER hear me say that...out loud. lol!
   I do love that little boy! Despite the extra effort it requires to parent him, I miss the little Taz when he isn't around. I guess a person gets used to the crazy that has become their norm.
   Today I had big plans. My daughter was gone to a friends house, and Robert had decided to take the boys out for a guys only day. It was actually at the request of Nathan. I immediately got excited at the thought of a kid free day.
   My plans were simple. Laundry (because it's my obsession!), cleaning house, and some laying around. It was also a real possibility that I would not get out of my pj's. The real joy in this plan was that it would be uninterrupted. No stopping anything to fix someone lunch, help them find something, or be told how bored they were. No listening to a child start a story with ...."on Good Luck Charlie yesterday..." then feel your eyes glaze over ten minutes later as your child continues telling you the entire episode word for word!
   No, it was going to be all about me and what I did or didn't feel like doing. But alas, it would not be.
Nathan, who requested this boys day, bailed on Robert and Zach to stay home with me! No matter how much I tried to talk him into it he wouldn't go.
   I almost offered him money to go, but thought that might be taking it too far.
   Robert said it was no big deal, but realized differently when he saw me tearing up. I know, what a baby right, but I felt robbed. Like a kid being given a piece of chocolate only to have it taken away right before they plopped it in their mouth.
   Being a homeschooler means you and your child 24/7! I love homeschooling and LOVE my kids, but momma needs a break sometimes.
   Nathan ended up staying with me today and it's been fine. I only teared up for a moment as I watched my do nothing day slip out of my hands. lol! I had my mommy hat back on before the boys even left.  And five minutes later when Nathan hollered from the living room  to please fix him a drink I just smiled.
   The fact is, how can a momma be upset about her baby wanting to spend the day with her?