I have a love/hate relationship with summer Fridays. I work at an university, and for a variety of reasons, it was decided to close for eight Fridays during the summer about three or four years ago. In the past, we were able to make up some time during the year, so it never seemed so bad. Usually, I'd end up working an extra hour and using my time for the rest. This year, we had to either work the full nine and 1/2 hours or use our vacation time. Because of that and the fact that I pick up my son and am home and up with him until about ten at night, it makes for some pretty long days.
By the time Friday comes around, I'm glad to be off, but I'm pretty drained. Tim has really stepped up to the plate, making sure things are done around the house so I don't have to and making sure I have a few hours to myself before he goes to work in the afternoon. This week, he told me to go see a show I've been wanting to see. Even though it was weird going to the theater myself, I really enjoyed some time alone.
However, I think our kids sense things like this sometimes. I know as a little girl I HATED it when my mom went out and didn't take me with. Maybe John is no different. Or maybe it was one of his no good, bad days where his crankiness took over.
Soon after Tim went to work, we tried nap time. For an hour and a half! I finally gave up and let him have run of my bedroom where he pulled all my shirts out of my dresser, threw everything off my bed and pulled on the cat.
So, I got sick of all this, took him downstairs and tried to put his shoes on. He refused. Frustrated, I took my purse, went out the door and stood out on the porch for 30 seconds to a minute, though it felt like ages. I don't know who needed that time out more, me or John. I went back inside, and happy to see me, John was suddenly happy to deal with me. As a compromise, I threw his shoes in the bag and picked up and left.
When you have a small child, you really shouldn't pick up and leave. Luckily, most places make up for this. We had his diapers, wipes, sunscreen, snacks, all the important things, but I did forget a cup, water and my camera.
So, we're driving and I have NO idea where we're going to. I was thinking the zoo, where we are members, but it was three and the zoo closes at five, so I went to the Arboretum, where we also have a membership. The one thing about me is that I am very fearful of driving places I don't know too well and I refuse to take the Expressway. This is something I share with my dear mother-in-law, so Tim is used to driving everywhere. However, now that I have John and Tim isn't with me as much, I'm trying to suck it up and do my best.
Our first stop was the visitor's center. I got some lunch I desperately needed, a tuna sandwich, chips, a pop and some water. I shared with John, who only would eat the chips. Feeling much more myself, I went to the gift shop and brought a camera. I wasn't going to miss out on recording this impromptu outing.
We went to the Children's Garden. It was about 4:30 before we got there and the garden closes at 5:00. However, we managed to pack in some fun looking at flowers and playing in water. John did get a little clingy and refused to walk. It was hard since I had his stroller, my purse and his bag, but we managed. We got out just as it closed and walked along a beautiful lake. They had another path through conifers. I pushed John, we rested and explored, I let him walk slightly ahead of me until he fell, then I carried him. We explored the different conifers. I pushed him some more and we got to the adult garden and walked through beautiful flowers. When our journey ended, we took a bathroom break, filled up our water bottles and took the scenic walk along the lake to the parking lot. I belted him in, gave him some animal crackers and left.
We stopped at my parents' on the way home. TOTALLY different kid. Cute, pretty cooperative, happy and the like. I guess he needed a break from home just as much as I did.
With having these Fridays off, I've both enjoyed my time with my son and had moments of pure hair tearing out frustration (figuratively, all my hair is in my head still). Toddler hood is a challenge. The fourteen hour Friday without Tim we pulled last week was rough and this Friday started the same way. After the Arboretum, I might be liking Fridays off again. Too bad we only have two left!
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