More summertime

I remember before Jett started preschool. When our days were hours that had to be filled. When a walk to the local convenience store, quarter in hand to buy a Tootsie Pop, took at least 45 minutes. If it were spring and flowers were blooming that time stretched even more.

Now, I have more kids. Less time. More schedules. I have the joy and burden of having a toddler who needs diaper changes and naps, a preschooler who really isn’t as big as he thinks, and a 7 year old who has Asperger’s, and can’t handle big sensory experiences. Hmmm. So what are we going to do today?

Carlos said the other day: “I don’t really like anyone. Only our family”. Great. He’s supposed to be the friendly one. But in a way he’s right. When it’s just our family, it’s easier. We understand all our quirks. We know, sort of, how to avoid Jett’s meltdowns. And we know when Letty needs to sleep. And we get our own messes, eating schedules, and all the whatnot. Trouble is… mama needs people. I’m a social creature.

So here I sit, Sunday night, with a pad of paper and pencil trying to map our week. Trying to accommodate kid needs, parent needs, and household needs (no, those groceries don’t buy themselves, nor does the laundry wash, dry, and fold itself). I feel like I should make a bar graph or pie chart or something.

And I realize Letty has never had the pleasure of walking to the “little store” (as we call it) and buying a Tootsie Pop. That has to change. Tomorrow.

I’ll add it to the schedule.