You’ve all, I assume, heard the phrase: When the cats are away, the Mice shall play.

I’ve heard it used by teenagers who’s parents aren’t home (aka PARTYYYYYY!!!! And usually with not so great endings…) Or from “workers” when the boss is out of town (of course, I would NEVER use this in that circumstance! I am MUCH too good of a worker, ahem)

But what happens when it is opposite? When the mice are gone, what do the cats do?

They GET THINGS DONE, that’s what they do. *sigh* Sure, they might take a little time to go to the movies, or go out to eat more than usual because well, there are no mice to feed (no, I didn’t say eat … so the analogy isn’t PERFECT.)

But the cats know that when the mice are gone, it is their time to catch up on all the things they can never seem to get done, because there are no little rodents (sorry kiddos) to clean up after or chase.

If you haven’t guessed by now, my kids are gone. They left last week on Tuesday for Grandma and Grandpa’s house in North Carolina, and Scott and I will pick them up next weekend. (FYI, for all you would-be robbers, my house will be locked tight, alarmed, and equipped worse than what you’ve seen on all those Home Alone movies… so don’t even try it!)

Instead of having leasurely 2 weeks relaxing, enjoying our semi-time off from parenting, we’ve kicked it up a notch. We are attempting to clean, organize, and rearrange our whole house. I’m also attempting to catch up on “organizing” our finances, my writing stuff, and a bunch of other tasks that I’ve put off.

So far, our time is half over and we are NOT half-way through. UGH. We have a bunch of the big stuff done, like rearranging the kids’ rooms to make room for Annabelle, but our house is still a mess. A LOT of work is left to do!

Aside from all the work, it’s been nice. I mean, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my children. I love their good morning hugs and I love giving them goodnight kisses. I love seeing them play, and I love just being their Mommy.

Sometimes, though, Mommies and Daddies need breaks. I firmly believe that the time each summer when they go see Grandma and Papa makes me a better mother the rest of the year. Not only do I catch up on the proverbial “to-do-list”, but can also catch-up with time with my hubby, can go on dates with him without having to worry about babysitters, and can just chill when I want to.

But, alas, I miss my kiddos. Gabby called me Saturday just to tell me she missed me. She said she was having a good time, and when I told her I’d be there to pick her up in one week, she got so excited, then told her sisters, “GUESS WHAT? Mommy is coming to pick us up TOMORROW.” I had to explain that I said one WEEK not one DAY, but I’m not 100% she sure understood the difference.

I’m curious. For all you parents out there, how do you get your “recharge” time? Even for non-parents, we all need time to get away from the normal craziness of everyday life. Is there a place you go to rejuvinate? A once or twice a year thing you do, just for you?

Oh, and anyone who wants to come help this pregnant lady rehall her house, you’re welcome. HA!

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6 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness! I wish I could clone you and let you do my house. I am needing to do some serious clean out at my house. In fact this week I am going to start packing up stuff for when we move…no, I don't know exactly when that will be, but I do know it is coming. I can box up china, books (that I've already read, of course), and whatever else I can live without, but can't part with. 🙂

    Of course, I am editing, you know, so that takes precedence. Buwahahah!

    Glad you are getting stuff accomplished. My husband and I go out sometimes, but not often enough. Now that we have teens, it is easier, though we don't always make the time for it like we should.

  2. Wow, in your place, I might've taken the entire two weeks to sleep!

    It does get easier. My husband and I have date night every Friday night. A great chance to recharge and talk and just relax!

  3. Oh Krista! So glad you're able to get some time to get things done before the baby comes. What a blessing that you have such wonderful family that is willing to watch your kids every year like that!

    I agree that we moms need to recharge. I think that's why I consider my writing such a blessing at this point in my life. It gives me something else to do, a way to take a break, from the day to day life of training and teaching my children. Like you, I love them so much! But my time away with my writing help sme to get a break!

    Enjoy the week and get lots done!

  4. I LOVED this post, Krista; you are sooooo creative!!

    Hmmm. Recharge, ha? Need it EVERY DAY!!! The Bible does it for me–and a run with Laura!

    We keep pretty busy with writer events and my husband's college events and are doing just fine as cats (and Laura the dog fills in just in case we need a kid!!)

    Patti

  5. We used to send our daughter to grandma's a week in the summer and it was wonderful!! SOmetimes we would take a short vacation alone!

  6. it is easier, though we don't always make the time for it like we should.
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