In the middle of winter, I always anticipate and talk about warmer weather as if it's the saving grace of being a stay-at-home parent. It means a chance to get out of the house, which can sometimes feel like it's closing in on the four of us on a day-to-day basis. In my daydreams, I always seem to forget that the summer here is not really all that much better. It's usually hot, and it's ALWAYS humid. Perhaps I should just hope for spring and fall, when it's warm enough to be outside without being miserable but not too cold to require too many layers.
Today, I found myself with three tired and cranky little boys. The no nap thing can wear them down on occasion, and about 5 p.m is when they kind of go from mildly cranky to just down right annoying and non-stop whine. You know, like three sets of hands clutching at me from every direction and following my every move (even the dog, if he's lucky enough to be inside at this point, follows my every step), and a little bit of "Mom-my!" from the oldest one and a little bit of screaming and crying from the two little guys. Sound fun?
So today I had the evil choice of taking them outside in the heat and humidity or staying inside and being clutched to death. We went outside. And it was really, really hot. If I hadn't decided to make myself useful and clean out the little inflatable pool (which had some mold issues going on after weeks of non-use) and give the dog a much-needed bath, it would have been miserable indeed. At least the water was cold and refreshing. And, of course, Connor got in on a little of the spray action. He always sneaks over to the gate (they play in the clean side of the yard), poking his head over the little four-foot gate and says "Get me! Get Connor, Mommy!" He'll run away laughing as he gets wet, but then quickly comes back and starts the game all over again.
So, we had hot and sticky and somewhat wet fun outside. There was still whining, because everyone wants Mommy to "swing" them (you know, at the same time). There were icees, though never enough. And there was a little bit of playing mixed in with the screaming and whining. But, at least it doesn't echo quite so much out there. That's something, right?
