As I was counting down the hours until the weekend on Friday afternoon, I realized that I don’t usually feel that excited for the weekend to arrive, since most often, my weekends are similar to my weekdays, either filled with events to cover for the newspaper or other work-related activities.
But as I saw the Family Day long weekend approaching on the calendar, I made a decision and rearranged most work-related items to other weekends, so that I could actually enjoy the weekend for what it was set aside for – family.
Although I can’t tell you what my Family Day entailed, since as I write this it has yet to take place, I can say that I am truly looking forward to spending time with my boys. Of course, it is nearly impossible for me to really take a weekend off work. With two jobs, I would probably feel lost and unsure of what to do with myself if I didn’t work at least a little.
But, once I pack up my bag and head home on Friday afternoon, I’m hoping to unplug myself from work for at least a few more hours than usual.
Spending time with a five-year-old and two-year-old is always an entertaining experience. Despite having a rather hectic schedule, I’ve learnt to cherish the moments that seem to fall randomly into that hectic schedule.
For example, my five-year-old son is always trying to get out of riding the school bus. Considering his ride is over 40 minutes, I understand why he dislikes it, and I’ve recently realized that I probably enjoy driving him to school just as much as he enjoys me driving him.
Although he is pretty short on words as we drive, the 20 minutes we get to spend together in the morning is priceless. Usually, when I try to make small talk, he tells me he doesn’t want to talk and just wants to listen to music. So after turning up the music, I often peek back at him in the rearview mirror and smile as he sings and dances to whatever our favourite music of the day happens to be.
My two-year-old son offers me similar heartfelt moments and he especially knows how to turn on the charm, as he looks at me with his bright eyes and tells me he’s “mama’s baby boy.” Conveniently, it always seems to be shortly after he’s dumped a box of cereal in the pantry, or danced in a puddle of juice on his bedroom floor.
Although my husband and I considered going away for Family Day, we have opted to simply stay home. Hanging out in our cozy home with my family is truly the best way I can see myself spending Family Day weekend anyways.
