Brace for Re-Entry

Let me begin by stating that I have absolutely NO reason to complain about my lot in life when I just got back from a fun-filled weekend in LONDON and PARIS (Paris was a surprise!) I was able to spend some quality time with my best friend who took me to all the best spots for food, shopping and site-seeing. My biggest decision each day was whether to have almond or chocolate croissant for breakfast. So please don't think me a whiny, overindulged hausfrau when I say...

Re-entry is a bitch.

Okay, its not just the time (though to be fair, the UK is 5 hours ahead of the US and then you all went and changed the CLOCKS over here while I was gone!) But my body has pretty much caught up with the differences.

Its my own fault that my return from London was scheduled for a week that included a 7-year old's birthday, two Pampered Chef parties and a birthday party for said 7-year-old at the ARCADE!!!

Why did I do that to myself?

My kids were so happy to see me Monday night (or rather, happy to see the goodies I brought back from across the pond!) and I basked in the afterglow of my amazing trip and the love of my much-missed family.

Of course reality came crashing back to me the next morning when my kids would not get OUT OF BED. I had to revert to my usual screechy mommy voice, threatening them with bodily harm if they didn't get their asses out of bed THIS INSTANT!

After shoving them onto the school bus and cursing the fact that Tuesday is early release day, I contemplated the state of my house. Though my husband tried to keep things in order while I was away, there was my luggage to unpack, dirty laundry to wash and Pampered Chef catalogs to stamp. Not to mention phone calls to answer so I could relay to all my friends the details of the most wonderful weekend.

All too soon my little DARLINGS were screaming off the bus, bursting through the door, dumping their backpacks and coats on the hall floor and demanding snacks. More screeching on my part to get them to finish their homework before it was time to saddle up, pick up their friend and head to TaeKwonDo.

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that I had this weekend away. It makes me appreciate all that I have, both as an individual and as part of a family unit. I got to remember what it was like to be carefree, responsible for only my own schedule and well-being. But as I said, re-entry is a bitch!

The night I returned my little one crawled into bed in the middle of the night. When my husband asked him what he was doing, he said "I'm just helping Mommy get her groove back!"

Soldier on!