We like to stay home. We like lounging all day and we like not having to go anywhere. I love when my kids are home for winter break because there is nowhere we have to be. School days force our otherwise unscheduled family to follow a schedule. We like routines, but we're not much for scheduling.
On school days, Arden likes to stay in bed and listen to her books on tape before anyone else wakes up. She keeps to herself in the morning and waits until the last possible minute to get ready for school. She hates when we remind her to eat breakfast, brush her teeth, or find her socks. She's extremely motivated in every aspect of her life — except for leaving the house in the morning.
Perry is a bit more of a morning person. He pounds out of bed on unsteady feet and searches the house to see who is awake. He finds Michael and me then climbs into our laps for a warm, sleepy hug. Then he needs to eat his breakfast immediately. After breakfast (and sometimes during), he gets involved in his own important projects. I hate to pull him away from his morning work but it only takes a gentle nudge (and minimal pleading) before he's the first one ready.
When it’s time to walk to school, the kids ask me what coats they should wear. Is it a puffy coat day or can we wear our fleece? Can I wear my Converse or do I need to wear my other shoes? They take my answers very seriously and will report back later if I’ve made a mistake. Mom, I totally didn’t need my puffy coat today! At recess, I didn’t even wear a coat at all! After the coats have been put on and the backpacks have been zippered, we all leave together. The walk can be fun and talkative, or filled with complaints and irritation (from both parents and kids alike). We never really know what the morning walk will hold.
When we arrive at the school doors, Arden barely says goodbye and then rolls her eyes when we tell her to have a good day (she's really not a morning person). Perry is more ritualistic about getting to his classroom and likes to depend on the same routine every day (see yesterday's post for further clarification). If he’s the first one to arrive, he won’t enter the room until his teacher greets him and welcomes him in. He waves goodbye, and if he needs to, he runs back out for another hug.
After both kids are busy in their classrooms, Michael and I walk home. It already feels like lunchtime to me so he makes us both some spicy eggs and the next part of our day begins.
