Just Right

Today is one of those days that was in many ways "run of the mill." Nothing special about the day - gym, grocery store, back to school shopping, doctor's appointment (not planned - more peace of mind than anything else), cook dinner, watch tv - a full day, certainly, but made special because I took the opportunity to revel in my children. We shopped, laughed, joked, talked... and I find myself left with a sense that today was not run of the mill, but rather "just right."

My visit to the doctor prompted a great discussion about how often being a woman means that you hurt, or have pain - one can focus on it, or just learn to live with it and not let it get in the way of everything else. After my trip to Seattle, I came home and found that my legs and feet were both very swollen. Today my ankles and my hamstrings just ached. My brother (the "real" doctor) suggested I go to the doctor rather than worry, so I did. My doctor seems to think it's a combination of my traveling and a hormonal surge, which is what I had figured, too, but the pain threw me for a bit of a loop. I know that the idea of pain being a constant is a foreign idea for both of my girls, but I think the doctor's visit humanized me on some levels. If nothing else, I think it's good to teach the girls that sometimes you need to go to the doctor to make sure your intuition is functioning properly.

Another moment which seemed just right revolves around my oldest getting to move to the front seat of the car. This move is so much more of a right of passage than it ever was when I was a child - we sat up front early on, and certainly didn't wear seat belts or have car seats for forever. It's a wonder we all survived! Her excitement is palpable, and even more interesting, my youngest is excited to have the back seat to herself. She even asked if she could move to DD1's customary side, and I said yes. I watched with amusement as she picked up her booster seat and moved it - I didn't ask her to do so; I figured she would just sit over there without a carseat. DD1 said nothing. DD2 sat there happy as a clam. Both girls got something they wanted today, and that is rare. DD2 also found an unopened pack of gum under her carseat. Treasure!

At dinner tonight - one that I cooked, with the help of a Kroger Rotisserie Chicken (the rest I prepared - strawberries, sauteed zucchini, roasted dijon new potatoes, and butterscotch pudding), the girls apologized for drinking a half gallon of milk today. I looked at them like they were crazy. Apologize? What mother wouldn't want to have this problem?

After dinner the girls were upstairs playing. They so know how to play together - I've tried to join them, but I don't do it right. The sounds were achingly pleasant - no arguing, lots of laughing. Sounds of happiness.

DD2 pulled one of her teeth tonight, too. The look on her face was nothing but pride. She's terrified of losing and pulling her teeth, but tonight, she just decided to do it after dinner.

I love my kids. I never really understood unconditional love until I had them. Watching their joy over little things makes me realize that pure excitement is a wonderful trait to have. I hope to be more like them when I grow up.

Today is also a day where, while I have grading and other work that I need to do, the beauty of summer and the lack of a forced schedule just seemed to surround us.

Grading can happen tomorrow. Today is a day for reveling in being my children's mom.

And that is just right.