Transitions

Transitions are tough.

I'm not talking about big transitions like moving across the country, starting puberty, having all kids in school all day, getting a puppy. These are transitions that my family underwent in the past months--honestly, I better change that to the present progressive tense. We are still undergoing all these big transitions.

But it's the little transitions that are bigger challenges, at least for us.

Transitioning from sleepy morning mode to ready-for-school mode is a challenge for my kindergartener, and transitioning from rowdy sports time to bedtime is difficult for my oldest son. Transitioning from fourth grade girl to big sister to two little brothers with big personalities is a challenge to my daughter. But the biggest transition that faces me every day is that wonderful yet full few minutes when all three of my kids pile into my car at the end of their school day.

I pull up to their school in a blissful state, having worked out and showered, listening to an audiobook with our dog dozing in the back (because yes, she has to go everywhere with me). I envision us having a wonderful afternoon, usually full of activities but sometimes just full of what's going on right now: my boys are playing with the two neighbor boys and I'm left to write this in complete silence, save for the washer and dryer noises from the other side of the house and my dog's snoring (because yes, she sleeps all the time, lucky dog).

But the moment they see me they start waving, making silly faces, and dabbing to me. I generally turn off my book at this point and turn on the radio. They are excited to watch me pull up, and they do their best to wait a respectful distance from the car before opening the one door through which they'll all pile in.

And then, they get in. And I hear something like this:

MOM WHAT'S FOR SNACK WHY ARE YOU GETTING IN FIRST? IT'S MY TURN--HEY!!!--IT'S MY TURN TO GET IN FIRST. I WANT TO SIT THERE! WHAT'S FOR SNACK? HI, MOM. KIEFER! STOP IT! MOM, LORELEI JUST ELBOWED ME. MOM! BEN CALLED ME A BABY. MOM! KIEFER SAID TRUMP WAS A JERK AND A STUPIDFACE. WHAT'S FOR SNACK? Oh, hi, Sunny! MOM! WHEN CAN WE GO TO THAT PARK? MOM! WHAT'S FOR SNACK?

And POOF my calm day is over. But I'm smiling as I type this because I love it. Mostly.

They are such good students in many ways, but the moment they see me they can just relax after having been good all days. It's as if they've stuffed themselves with holiday treats and can finally open up one button and let it all hang out a little more. They have the challenge of going from good student and recess buddy to son/daughter and member of the family, and that's tricky every day, tough on some days.

But they're mine all weekend, so I'm going to go check on them before starting the transition from writer to cook.

Happy Friday, all.