Some thoughts, some pictures

The other day I walked into the dance studio to deliver K to her class and on the long bench before me sat several mothers I did not recognize.  But then I DID recognize them.

They were mothers of little ones.  You know, new-ish moms with kids younger than school age.  Each one sat with a baby or toddler bouncing on their knee.  There were four of them all in a row.  I overheard talk of vaccines and diapers and car seats and when to give up the “noonie” (what they call a pacifier around here).

Meanwhile, there I sat with my boys, each having their screen time while my “baby” was in the other room sporting her tap shoes.  I had never seen these ladies before because they were the regulars for the morning class and they combined with K’s afternoon class that day.  I was particularly interested in how beautifully put together they all were.  I’m not sure I was ever that coiffed as a mother of little ones.   And there they sat, all in a row, perfectly perfect with their cherubs so happy, not a cry did I hear.

How did they do it?

I thought of my days like that, taking B to something with little ones in tow, like VBS or soccer.   How K sat on a blanket with her chubby legs, pulling at the dandelions around here while her older brother kicked the black and white ball around.

 

Today we went to the zoo with some friends and I was so happy to have my kids at the ages they are now.  No stroller or diaper bag did I need.  I simply sported a comfy backpack with the essentials, including our lunches and my handy little camera.  Anyone who needed to go potty while we were there went on their own.  Diapers are a thing of the past.  I never had to pick anyone up and put them on my hip. They gladly boarded the train all on their own…

 

The cute moms in the dance studio made me a bit whimsical the other day.  They definitely had my attention right away and I smiled at them as I passed.   I thought of everything that I did a while ago that they are currently doing now.  I thought about how some of them are probably still waking up in the middle of the night and how one may have had to deal with a diaper blow out earlier that day (although probably not, they all seemed so damn perfect, I’m sure even their babies’ poo don’t stink…)

But I’m also pretty glad I am no longer them – that a trip to the zoo is a breeze compared to what it used to be.

And that tonight my kids are having a “slumber party” in the boys’ room and K will end up on the top or bottom bunk, who really knows.  Later,  I will check on them all and someone will be snuggled into the other as they lightly snore.  I will smile as I close the bedroom door and think about how today we had some fun with very little use of baby wipes (yes, I still carry those around, I may have older kids but I’m not stupid…).

 

Apparently he’s a member of the Staff…

 

Can you spot the tween in this photo? Bet you can! 😉

 

I like your approach Mr. Llama.  Wish I could break the lock too…

 

Yes, that is your good side, Sir.  You’re welcome.

 

“It tickles!!”

 

 

“It licked me!!”

 

“Choo Choo!”

 

Cheesin’ on the zoo train

 

 

synchronized grazing