I lay smiling like our sleeping children..

*Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine

Summers here and the weather is gorgeous. The warm days and cools nights are picture perfect. The kids practically live outside evidenced by their tans.

So this past weekend the kids slept over my parent's place. I remember when the Boy first slept over there we were so worried he would forget us in the 15 hours we were away from him (10 of which he was asleep). I used to call my parents and ask "Is he OK?' "Is he asking for us?" "Shall we come pick him up?" to which my father would promptly threaten a restraining order and hang up. These days I'm not sure if it's the foreign feeling of solitude or the fact we're too busy trying to pack 3-days worth of activity in 1 night to even call over to check on them. When we have called the kids sound happy to say a quick "Hi...love ya...see you in the morning" and run back to their mountain of sweets and unlimited TV. The truth is the kids enjoy their mini-holiday as much as we do. I barely have my shoes off at my parent's house when the Girl says "Bye Mom...see ya tomorrow". OH-Kay. To make myself feel better I'm pleased that the kids are so secure with our families that there's no need for theatrics. That being said a little sob would have been nice for my ego.


Anyway D took me for sushi and the movie of my choice. D's only requirement was no subtitles. We saw Once about the week long relationship between an Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant. It takes place in Dublin which fulfilled the no subtitles rule but D still complained he couldn't understand the actors sometimes. WTF? It's YOUR people. If I can understand them you sure the heck should be able to.


When we got home I did something I haven't done in ages. I slept naked. This isn't a sexual comment. All the parents out there know that once kids enter your life the naked moments are few and far between. I slept naked AND with the door wide open which is unheard of. I felt like an adult. Of course I couldn't wait to see the kids in the morning and have them kiss me and cling to me. They're SO worth giving up nudity for.


We've been teaching the Girl about personal space. During the initial potty training phase a few months ago it was common for us to put her on the toilet and clap wildly when she did her business. She in return would clap and say "good job mom" when I went potty. Now that she's a pro we're teaching her that people need privacy. Yesterday she announced that she had to go potty and promptly went upstairs to the bathroom. When the Boy followed her to brush his teeth she loudly announced "No Boy! I need priva-seat". Like Pavlov's dog I now find it difficult to pee without clapping.


The kids birthdays are coming up over the next 2 weeks. The Boy and Girl are 4 years apart almost to the day. One day they'll be all grown up and trying to find time for their blogs. Until then....