Melt downs and Wake Ups

Yesterday started off badly, I was grumpy because I hadn’t gotten up early to run and basically felt like the rest of my morning was spent beating myself up about my lack of exercise (utterly pointless). I felt like I wasn’t in control either. The morning was spent “reacting” to situations in a bad tempered kind of way (sorry girls...). Amaia had given up on her geography before 9am and after required constant attention. It took her 20 minutes to write 5 sentences!! And did I mention the flat was a mess?! I was sooo not in the mood....

But thankfully I took myself off to my room and calmed down by reading a few pages and taking some very deep breaths. And then suddenly everything was fine. Huh? How did that happen? All the school work was finished before lunch time and the rest of the day was RELAXING! I watched a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the girls and enjoyed it (?!?). Then I spent hours reading my latest book... Wow. Just wow. It was truly the calm after the storm!

Today was a totally different day. I was up and out of the house before 7am, I ran 6km without collapsing and came home to morning cuddles. I noticed on my way home someone buying a coffee at my favourite restaurant Valentin, a tiny, friendly restaurant that changes its menu daily and doesn’t charge Monaco prices! I checked their website and was delighted to see their burger was the day’s special and tiramisu was the dessert. Could their be a better menu for me? I ordered for the whole family! It was an unexpected delight in our day and a very welcome break from cooking!

The day continued smoothly and calmly. I got jobs done. The girls did their homework without much drama and were finished by 4pm which is a first. Clearly, not having the distraction of the garden was keeping them more focused than before. I got the chance to have a good catch up with my friend Lee undisturbed. I even made flapjacks! Yes, all in all today was a good day. It has reminded me that despite the more challenging set up of my days at the moment (homeschooling the girls) we are adjusting, adapting and gradually accepting this new normal.