Mother's Day Out

I did manage to get a picture of Luke with his eyes open as well, but the expression he has in this one is just perfect for a "first day of school" photo, don't you think? I took this two weeks ago today, just before I dropped him off for his first day of Mother's Day Out. He had no trouble adjusting to this new addition to his schedule, social butterfly (moth? is there a more gender neutral idiom?) that he is. And I... well, I had no trouble at all adjusting to my newfound free time as well...

Okay, okay, so I might have almost cried a little when I drove away that first day. And so I've been early to pick him up each time since. But still, 90% of the time he's at school, I'm in heaven. And here are a few reasons why:

1. Sitting at the breakfast/coffee joint of my choice for a full 40 minutes, sipping decaf Joe and reading a novel, while I wait for Ladies' Class to begin.
2. Going to Ladies' Class without a diaper bag, several snacks, and a toddler in tow.
3. Leaving Ladies' Class without a diaper bag, several half-eaten snacks, and a toddler in tow.
4. Eating lunch on my own. Without the need to constantly encourage said toddler to eat another bite, to not throw food on the floor, to let me wipe his face...
5. Reading. (Or napping.)
6. Writing to my blog.
7. Spending a full 8 minutes in the bread aisle at the grocery store as I try to decide which loaf I'm really in the mood to buy today.
8. Remembering what adult life feels like.
9. And realizing that I love the mom life, too, even if it sometimes means I miss out on some of the above.

Oops - it's five past two. Better leave the house now if I'm going to make it 15 minutes early for Luke's pick-up!