The Laundrymat...

We don't have a washer and dryer in our house. There are various laundry rooms scattered around the property. I just don't use them because I find that the dryers just aren't effective. It takes two or three runs for the clothes to finish up. So, instead, every 10 days John and I alternate the laundry- he does it every third Tuesday morning and I go every third Friday night. It's a good system because then nobody gets stuck with that job too often.
I used to go with the kids and they'd be bored or bring their DS to play with, then get bored. Now, the kids always help me load up the car and unload the car when I return. They don't need to come anymore and honestly, I'm glad. I find that this "free" time that I have there has become such a peaceful experience for me. It takes me about 2 and a half hours to get everything washed, dried, and folded. I use the time to think about life, make plans, journal, get gas, go to the market, grab a snack, etc... It's just "my" time and that feels good.
I used to think that if I didn't want to be with the kids all the time, that I was not a caring Mom. Now I realize that that's totally normal and part of everyone's growing experience. Even though we homeschool, maybe especially because we do, we need that time apart, to enjoy all the time we spend together. I think though that homeschooling has helped to keep our family close.
Monday, the 4 of us went to Lake Waconia for the afternoon. Most of us ended up with a sunburn, but it was a blast. We swam and dunked each other. The guys built sand houses, and we had a picnic. When I finally braved the chilly water, the boys were excited to have me there. They splashed me and we horse-played, etc... I looked around at all the people there, many of them were teenagers like Zachary. Most of them didn't have any parents with them, and many of them, if they did, were swimming far away from their parents. Mine were right there though, wanting me in the mix. It was just such a nice feeling. If my kids haven't reached that stage of being embarassed by me, maybe they never will.
Tonight I'm on my own. John is working, and the boys are at a movie party. Later, they are bringing a friend to spend the night. By the time they come home, I'll have my Mom hat on again, be excited to see everybody. Not to mention, they'll be three of them to help bring in the laundry, lol. Right now though, I'm glad for "me time" and think I'll run across the street and get a burger- Culver's , yum:)