Coming home was a lot harder than I imagined it would be. The drive was fine (other than Pipsqueak’s habit of screaming hysterically every time he woke up from his 5 times a day car cat naps). We got to see new things and old friends along the way. And we made it home safe and in relatively good spirits.
But what I didn’t expect was how hard it would feel to reacclimate to life at home. Nothing changed. Our house looked exactly like it did when we left (seriously, all the things were still in the state of disarray that I left them in including the house being fully hurricane prepped). And while we’ve slowly started putting things back and I’m still trying to get a handle on the daily clutter, life feels off somehow.
The 10 days prior to actually arriving back home were a whirlwind. Two days at my sister’s side, with less than 2 hours of sleep in 40+ hours. Followed by 3 long days of sleep-deprived packing and baby snuggling. Then 5 days of driving.
Then we got home and I had to finish Halloween costumes (which I had to shop for materials, sew, fit, finish, etc.)
I woke up in the middle of the night the first night back and I didn’t know where I was. It took me way too long to realize I was home. And almost every night I wake up at least once confused (which isn’t completely abnormal for me but definitely not to this degree, usually.)
I haven’t been to the grocery store yet, other than a quick run to pick up the essentials the day after we got home. But prepping for a big grocery shop and surviving the experience with 4 kids just doesn’t seem worth it right now. The kids and I have literally been surviving on pizza, pasta, frozen waffles and peanut butter and jelly.
Sugarplum started back at gymnastics last week (she did classes while we were away but was off for 2 weeks) but I haven’t managed to figure out how to fit Honeybun’s dance classes and dance or gymnastics for Doodle in around her current schedule (which could change in the next few months).
I gave the girls a break while we were away, no school while we were in Colorado. And I gave them this week off as well so that I could have time to get myself together and ready for the new year (they’re both starting a new grade level).
And while I’m trying to be optimistic about what the new year and schedule will bring, I also know it’s going to be a lot.
Honeybun is starting 5th grade and struggles with math so she’ll need a lot of hands-on help.
Sugarplum is beginning 3rd grade which is when I began losing Honeybun so I’m apprehensive about that.
And Doodle is ready to start doing a little work.
Then there’s spelling, which always takes way longer than it should and causes more stress than necessary.
I also got a new writing curriculum that I plan to do with the girls, which will take more of my time.
And I also want to continue our world history study (which I’ve been working on creating from scratch for almost a year).
And we need to actually do science, which I’ve started outlining (for hubby to do with them, as he promised he would months ago.)
On top of that and keeping the house livable. And the laundry done. And everyone fed. And clean (where do showers fit in?!) I’m also trying to do this writing thing. And the holidays are coming. (And have I mentioned I’m going to start teaching again?!)
And it all just seems so…much!
