Sleeping Late on School Break

Nothing is something to look forward to as much as when the kids get a few days off from school. As day after day plods on of waking up at 5:45 to start the mad rush of breakfasts and ironing and pony tail combing, and then work all day to finally drag myself off to bed no later than nine or I will fall asleep standing up. And then it begins all over again the next morning. Sometimes I feel like I’m spinning too fast on a merry-go-round and I can’t jump off. So when Thanksgiving break approached with 9 whole days of sleeping past 7, I knew it was a week of rest and sleeping late and I would awake the following week, ready again for the weekly rush well rested and rejuvenated with a fresh start on life. I really couldn’t wait for vacation to start.

The first day of the school break dawned and it felt so good to burrow deeper into my pillow after the sun was already up. I could sleep even longer, but I had a very odd feeling. It wouldn’t go away. Turning over I faced my daughters huge grin, a mere few inches away.

"Pancakes?" she asked. Of course, I had time.

After I gathered pans and fried batter, she happily went on her way. And then my son walked in after waking up an hour after her.

"Eggs?" He asked.

I began to scramble and toast, and when nearly done, the third shift awoke and I began working on an omelette mixed with ham and turned gently in the pan. This was wonderful to be able to spend more than a five minute rush with assembly line oatmeal.

Of course, three hours later, I had finally cleaned up. Thank goodness I work out of the house, where I can make up for the lost time later. While all three siblings had a great day playing Rock Band and I didn’t mind hearing ten hours of Aerosmith, it did take a few reminders that the volume could be a bit lower and the walls really didn’t need to vibrate as much.

I only had to explain a few times (an hour) that my job didn’t take off a week. That the trips to Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, and Belks would have to wait until I was done. Not having to go to bed early for school, my three wonderful children stayed up way past nine to enjoy "family time" and "family movies" and more Rock Band (for me to enjoy watching). My head still bobbed after ten. My clock not as easily reset as theirs. But that was okay, I knew a late morning was before me.

Another day of sun shining in the windows before having to open my eyes. Another day of that creepy feeling behind me, before turning over to grinning teeth.

"Pancakes?" "Eggs?" "Chili Cheese Omelet gently flipped?"

I hurried to the kitchen to enjoy my late vacation morning. I finished up with my work before the moon was fully up. Aerosmith was an interesting lullabye as I gave up on family time by midnight and passed out with my head under my pillow.

By day 5, I was really good at assembly line flapjacks and over easy yolks, I was rising at a leisurely 8:30 and finishing work up by midnight. The ironing pile took over the washroom, my daily walk was a distant memory. As my daughter wisely pointed out, why walk when one can shop?

Monday morning dawned brightly 9 days after my vacation began. My alarm screeched as I stumbled puffy eyed and foggy headed toward a bright new day after my long awaited week of rest. Within and hour I had ironed the days clothing, fed three bowls of oatmeal, and waived at the last bus good bye. The vacation was over. Thank goodness with routine there was rest. I would finish working by 5 and even squeeze in a walk. Thank goodness for school and early mornings and set schedules.

But when I entered the quiet lonely house, I fumbled with the radio, searching for maybe something by Aerosmith with a loud percussion beat. Sighing, I counted the days on the calendar until Christmas break. That would mean over two weeks of sleeping late and family time without the routine daily rush. Another vacation is coming. I really can't wait..