I got to host Writing Group last night, and we all wrote about the hour leading up to our Zoom call. It was kind of amazing knowing we were each in our own little worlds, but our slices would all meet up at the end.
If that sounds like your kind of thing, you should come write with us next week 🙂
Elena chose not to nap today, which is very, very rare. Her teacher said she just lay there for the hour and a half that nap time lasts, pretending to sleep and smiling at her whenever they locked eyes. No nap equals earlier bedtime. Win for Mama!
Tim and I went into her room around 7:05 to do our typical routine:
Elena chooses two books to read. While I read one, Tim puts on her socks or brushes her teeth. When it’s his turn, I braid her almost-dry hair so the morning tangles aren’t so bad.
Once both books have been read, she stands up and looks for book number three. By now, she anticipates our responses, so she says, “This is the morning book!” Funny enough, she never remembers that book when she wakes up the next day.
For a long time, Tim did bedtime every single night, but now we’re taking turns. Whatever happens, though, we know Thursdays are his. He lies on the little couch we keep in her room to support us until she’s out, and I pick her up to carry her to her crib.
She’s now three years old, but she still sleeps in a crib, unaware that she could try to climb out. I guess she doesn’t see the need to do so. Carrying her to the crib is also a tradition. We act out whichever scene from her recent Disney movie she feels most inspired by.
Do you want to go “away away” like Moana?
Do you want to “swim” like Ariel?
Before she became somewhat familiar with those stories and songs, she would ask for helicopters or airplanes.
Once she’s in the crib comes the negotiation. Which side of the pillow would you like tonight, Anna or Elsa? Do you want me to cover you or not? Friends or no friends? Tonight, she tried to keep the lights on, but must have been tired enough—it was a quick surrender.
At 7:15, I’m walking out of her room and toward the living room couch. I drop myself onto it, check a few emails, remember I have no urgency to do any work, and close the window. I check the WordPress reader and see that many recent slices have landed.
I read three of them, comment, and remember I haven’t checked my own comments in a few days. How rude! Let’s respond. Then I remember I forgot to let a friend know I won’t be able to attend his birthday dinner tonight. Shit, I also forgot to congratulate him yesterday. What’s wrong with me?!
No text—voice note is best. If I call, he’ll try to convince me to come by after writing club. I won’t even mention writing club because he’ll say his birthday is more important. But I just really want to write, see my people, and go to sleep. So I don’t call. I leave him a 3-minute voice memo instead, apologizing profusely.
I check the time and remember some KLA slicers wanted a reminder. I text the group. Then I notice it’s a bit cold. And if I’m cold, it must be freezing. Well, duh—I frantically lowered the thermostat after the bath and got it down to 69. No wonder. I adjust it and grab a sweater.
Then, a glass of wine. It’s been a day! Do I always feel the need to add that excuse when I pour myself one during the week? Hmm.
Almost time. I grab my computer charger, land happily in my chair, and click on the Zoom link at 7:59. Yay, Anita is here! Soon, a few more boxes popped up on my screen, and I got to see Amy, Lisa, and, surprise! Giovanna made it after all!
I truly love Thursdays.
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