. . . sometimes

Sometimes you start school in July and it’s a really good day. Everyone gets their math done (because first week math lessons are all glorious confidence-building reviews) and your classic procrastinator takes pride in the fact that his list is actually entirely completed before lunch and you wonder if this is a new leaf or just a lucky first day break.

Sometimes your dog’s hair gets cut too short and he looks like a big-headed fuzzy noodle somehow. You have trouble making direct eye contact with him because you feel his shame radiating. The groomer assures you that in less than a month all of that shaggy perfection will be back in place and your daughter has to comfort/chastise you with phrases such as “Mom. You don’t love Ryder just for his hair, do you?” And you have to pause to consider. You love him for his loyalty and for his companionship. His affection for our family. And. For his hair.

Sometimes you get an unexpected pool invitation and you spend an otherwise sticky and humid late afternoon in relaxing waters and you think what a lovely gift that surprise text was.

Sometimes your youngest son morphs from a sofa-sitting fellow watching a show to a vomit producing machine. (It was so dramatic that we all thought a smoothie had been flung across the living room. Or two smoothies. A blender full, really.) He says, “Mom, some went through my nose.” And he points out, “Look – it made it to the other chair over there.” So you just laughed then because really, what could you do? And you’ve never seen a room clear so fast. Or seen so many towels needed for clean up patrol. And smelled such a smell. That now still smells the same, but covered in a lemon smell. Lemon and tea tree oil and some other scent you can’t quite put your finger on but can only describe as “not a good combination”.

Sometimes you know you don’t really have it in you to rally through your to-do list due to a later bedtime (see prior vomit mention) so you just reflect a little on your day and share an incredible family photo from the talented Emma at Paper Story Photo & Design and you know that the photo is cute enough to make you forget all the lows of a day and just revel in the fact that you get to rise and shine and to teach and laugh and clean up throw up with this band of humans.