I won't make a secret of the fact that Geoff and I find it hard to get our life balance right. He works hard and long and two children are demanding. I am sure that more children are even more demanding, but that's why we've acknowledged that two is our limit. We struggle to get it right at times, but we talk about it and acknowledge that we're not getting right and that it's important to keep trying.
Some times, for no apparent reason, everything just falls into place and this weekend was one of those times. We didn't do anything that spectacular but things just seemed to work.
Saturday I took Ella and a friend (of hers) to see HSM3 and then to McD's for lunch. At the same time Geoff was taking Leila for a bike ride and to a cafe for morning tea. In the afternoon we pottered and then Geoff made a spanking dinner of ribs with homemade bbq sauce and copious Coronas with lemon.
Today we actually spent almost 4 hours at the inlaws' house trying to get their garden into order. They moved into a new, smaller place about 4 months ago and have struggled to make it their own. Today Geoff and I tackled the front yard, weeded, pruned, removed lots of plants and left with it looking so much better.
Tonight, family dinner night, noodles. We all showered late after our gardening exertions, put on clean clothes and had dinner alfresco. Dinner was lovely with music and dancing afterwards. We played some newer faves (Feist, Dan in Real Life soundtrack and some of Geoff's more esoteric sounds) and then dragged out some older cds. The the girls insisted they be dancing songs - Angel in Harlem was one, the new Coldplay song whose title I don't even know but which makes me remember our trips to Scotland, REM - Night Swimming and Electrolite. We danced, we played the drums with our chopsticks, we ran around, we laughed and I felt so happy.
I'm not looking for the huge moments. I can't put a finger on what made this weekend work so well, but it made me happy and that's all I'm looking for, happiness and togetherness. If I start seeing a therapist and she/he says "remember a time when you were happy" then I'll hone straight in to this weekend.
6 comments:
I feel like this tonight too, we had company for lunch today. The big fella made (too) many pizzas, we drank red, all four girls laughed and ran around to music and life today...felt just right. In fact, when I organise pictures I will post - so I can remember it fondly too.....and, for the therapist ha ha.
(Both my girls LOVE LOVE LOVE Coldplay!!)
I know exactly what you are saying, I find that most of the time it isn't smooth sailing with our 2. Someone is tired or grumpy, or just do anything other than what we are doing right now! When you have those dream days (or better weekends) when it is EASY & fun, well that's what it is all about, right!?
Good for you! Hope I didn't put my foot in my mouth! Wishing you happy times always and me too.
Don't you just love a weekend like that...with no real planning it turns out great. Its times like that when I can't really remember what life was like before we had children. I can't remember not having a house full of noise and activity. Sometimes there is chaos but occassionally the planets line up and everything is just wonderful. Hopefully all these good memories will keep you out of therapy for a few years yet!
Hey most parent feel this - then we have these uneventful moments which just make us wonder how it happened. Just enjoy them when they come and do your best. I always say just love them and love them as best as you can and that is all you can do...
I'm still trying to let go of the control freak side of me (well, it's back, front and both sides) so our family can enjoy some memory making moments. It must be something the kids pick up on, they enjoy the time too, behave well and life is good.
I'm really happy for you V, and hope we'll be there soon too!
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