Every now and then a confluence of events on an otherwise normal day causes one’s outlook to change. The feelings of hope and promise replace a feeling of dread. Inspiration appears when before there was avoidance and neglect.

I went to sleep last night hoping for a two-hour delay this morning (a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain was expected). At 5:30 a.m. I got the call—yes! One of the perks of being a teacher.

A short time later Liam and I enjoyed a brief moment at the table drinking our coffee alone, while the girls were still sleeping—a rare event indeed. We decided that every workday should begin at 10:00 a.m. The normal pace of our lives is too fast.

When the call came even later that school was cancelled for the day, I enjoyed a surge in energy and positivity I haven’t felt in awhile. Or, maybe it’s just the nesting mother in me. Instead of having to worry about going in to school, I focused on being productive, spending quality time with the girls, and yes—relaxing!

While cooking normally feels like a chore that must get done, on top of everything else, I was able to really enjoy it today. I made batches of everything so we shouldn’t have to cook all week. More time for hanging out and writing!

Egg frittatas for breakfast this week.

Salads done for lunches.

The girls love to climb up on the window sill and hide behind the curtain panels. Then they let go with their hands and fall back, landing on the cushiony bed. It takes a lot of self-control for me to not freak out about this kind of play for fear of injury, especially after Nora just got four stitches on her forehead after running, tripping, and then careening into the dining room table. I let them be, and no one got hurt. 

Nora serving up a platter of “pies” for us to enjoy. She’s in the middle of transitioning from naps to no naps, so this is how she entertained herself during her “quiet time.”