Something weird is happening in my house. It’s a phenomenon I don’t know quite how to deal with and it’s a bit unsettling. I believe it’s called “peace and quiet.” There have been a lot of changes in my house in the last few months. In addition to getting my two oldest daughters back into school, I’ve gone on a cleaning rampage in my house. I made seven trips to The Salvation Army last week, giving away everything from books to clothes and old bedding. If we aren’t using it or wearing it— I want it out of my house.
I crave simplicity, a place for everything and everything in it’s place. I’ve organized baskets for homework supplies and my kids shoes. I’ve rearranged furniture in my house making the rooms more user friendly and two of my daughters switched bedrooms. Now my oldest daughter, Aubrey, has her own room and the two younger girls are sharing. It’s a match made in heaven. Aubrey has outgrown the need for a light to be left on and craves quiet. Emma and Sadie like to listen to music while they drift off.
More than the furniture has shifted. I see my daughters’ relationships with each other changing. I see more of their own personalities emerging every day. Aubrey and Emma have been learning to cook with me over the summer, simple things: scrambled eggs, toast, a grilled cheese. And now when I wake up to start our school day, I’m no longer trying to do fifteen things at once.
“Momma?” Aubrey asks, “I’m making eggs, do you want some?”
“Sure,” I nod.
“HURRY and get dressed! We are running late, I’ve got to get dressed and still got to pack your lunches!”
“I can make lunches,” Emma, my six-year-old offers. She grabs her step-stool to reach the deli meat and cheese from the fridge and goes to work. I put the sandwich bags and all of her supplies within reach and as I walk to the back of the house to get dressed I hear her yell, “AUBREY! DO YOU WANT TURKEY OR SALAMI?”
“SALAMI!” Aubrey yells back.
Dressed, I rush back to the kitchen to see Emma picking peppercorns out of a slice of salami.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Aubrey doesn’t like the peppers.” She states.
“I know, but I don’t usually pick them out.”
“That’s how she likes it,” Emma shrugs.
Aubrey helps Sadie, my three-year-old, find clothes to wear. It may be rain boots and an old dance costume but my standards are low so I don’t say a word.
As we walk out the door Emma stops in her tracks, “Oh no!! I forgot to put a note in Aubrey’s lunch box!”
“You can see her from your lunch table, just wave at her.”
Sunday we missed church, again. If I’m not traveling then somebody is sick and with three kids it can take a month before everyone is well. Aubrey sat in the sunroom with me, quietly reading while I worked on my laptop. Emma laid sprawled across a chair in a nearby room playing a game on my borrowed cell phone. I opened the door so we could hear the wind in the trees outside. The rustle was so constant it sounded like the ocean. I leaned my head against the sofa and marveled at the peace in my house. I thought about the baby and toddler stages of my children’s lives and realized that part of their lives is over.
But I don’t miss it. I enjoyed those years. I loved them, I savored them. I survived them and I endured them.
But this? This is the good stuff.
*Emma reading to Sadie at bedtime. Magic.
*It should be noted that in the 37 minutes it took me to post this column WHICH I WROTE ONE WEEK AGO, I had to separate them three times and threaten Sadie’s life twice. But ya know… it’s getting easier.
OpinionsToGo says
I love your post…so sweet. Sounds like the little girls in “Little Women,” only a
modern version. They obviously havea good role model…you!
Robin says
Oh thanks! They are a lot like me good and bad. Leads to lots of self examination!
Kimberly says
I was just explaining this very thing to a friend tonight! That we are just getting to the good stuff. I totally hear ya.
Beckie says
Love this post! The last 7 lines of you post (not counting the * part) is so true. I loved the baby and toddler years, but I also love watchingmy children learn and grow! You’re right it is the good stuff. Thank you!
Selena says
It most certainly does get easier doesn’t it. I love the baby stage but now that they’re talking and can communicate I have no desire to go back there, the little people they are growing into is amazing even if they do have their moments and you wish they couldn’t talk anymore!
Aubrey says
Thank you. I needed this. Mine are still little and I know this day is coming! It’s nice to hear someone say it.
Anne Kimball says
There’s something so very special about the days with the “littles”. There is something specialer still about arriving at that place in your life when they can start contributing to the family in meaningful ways.
Love this post!
Kim at Let Me Start By Saying says
I loved this. I’m finding now that my kids are the blessed 5 & 7, things are getting easier. Not piece-of-cake, but definitely so much easier.
Ahhh….
Kim at Let Me Start By Saying recently posted..Bulls + Childbirth = Back-to-School @InThePowderRoom
Robin says
I mean the fact that nobody is crapping their pants anymore is enough to make me happy.
Laura Wilson says
That’s lovely. And good that you recorded it here for when you have to separate them and threaten their lives again
JD @ Honest Mom says
“I opened the door so we could hear the wind in the trees outside. The rustle was so constant it sounded like the ocean.”
I love those lines.
We are teetering on the brink of a life less chaotic. Annie is in 1st grade and Gracie is in preschool. I’m still doing 1,001 things in the morning before school – especially on the days Gracie goes to her school – but they finally play together. Sometimes even without fighting too much! Yay!
JD @ Honest Mom recently posted..Today I was embarrassed to be my kid’s mom
Robin says
Thank you! And you are about to get into the sweet zone! I highly recommend letting your 1st grader get as involved as you can around the house. Washing dishes, putting up laundry etc. It will make your life so much easier and she’ll feel like she’s contributing!
Heather says
THANK GOD you added that little bit at the end. LOL I was starting to make a shank in my brain to stab you with for rubbing it in!