Kids are exhausting.
That's probably a strange thing for a retired middle school teacher to say. I mean, after thirty years of seventh graders, that fact should be no surprise. But, I never had my own for 24/7. There's a difference.
For two weeks this summer, my tiny house held not only Trixie and me, but it was filled with two kids who were excited about attending horse camp. The first week I had both nieces with me. Two weeks later, Billie was back for camp with her BFF, Alex. I was up each day at 7:30 am fixing breakfast and packing lunch. I drove back and forth to camp for twenty to twenty-five minutes ten times a week. That's a lot of gas. I used even more gas to drive to our evening activities; heaven forbid these kids feed and entertain themselves. Another meal - exhausting! And the chatter!! Non-stop. I felt like I was cantering on Coco and Ariel.
Camp is over. The kids have finally all gone home. I should be resting and relaxing, but I can't. I'm restless. The house is too quiet. OMG. I miss them!
A day ago, I was ready to change my name and not tell anyone. Now, I miss hearing "Aunt Barb!" A day ago I was tired of fixing dinner. Now, I'm trying to figure out what to have and I'm too apathetic to do anything about it. I want to hear Alex exclaiming that my pasta is the best she's ever had. (My recipe? Tri-colored pasta and Hunt's spaghetti sauce sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.) I want Billie flipping out in joy because sloppy joes are on the menu with a side of Eastern shore cantaloupe. Yes, dinner was different a day ago.
No trip to horse camp is complete without dips in the pool. I had such fun with the girls at the swim club. When Reba and Billie were here, they got along well and we laughed a lot. I was so proud of them. They were well-behaved and appreciative. They made Baxter smile when they thanked him for cook-out night. I saw adults thank him, but no other kids. Mine made me proud; oh, but I said that already.
Yesterday, I took Alex and Billie to the pool cook-out. They gobbled their food and raved about how good it was. They thanked Baxter for cooking and me for taking them. But, they especially made me happy when one of the children asked to play with them. She is a shy girl, and I think she has some trouble making friends. Billie and Alex explained their game and she joined right in. They invited her to eat dinner with us, and she was happy for the invitation. When it was time to go, they walked over and hugged goodbye. That warmed my heart. What good, good kids.
Kids are exhausting. And exhilarating. I'm blessed to have two "daughters" that I keep at my sister's house (and my "almost" daughter who lives with her mom). I'm so glad they enjoy coming to Camp Aunt Barb once or twice a year. They give me an excuse to buy junk food. I'm on the go instead of on the couch. And for some reason, I sleep like a log when they're here.
Children make your life important. -- Erma Bombeck
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