Every year our family is completely fooled that it’s summer. Maybe it’s the (WHY DO WE DO THIS AGAIN, UNITED STATES??) time change. Maybe it’s the late bedtimes. Maybe it’s the pool time and laissez-faire attitude that we have hours to kill and Fast Facts or Spelling Tests are a thing of the past.
Yesterday morning, while cleaning out lunch boxes I’d neglected for the 10 days of Spring Break, I was asking myself what could be harder than getting back into the Morning Routine after such a relaxing break.
I’ll tell you what’s harder. TORRENTIAL RAINS! NO ELECTRICITY!
Oh, man, was it unfortunate that just as M was pouring battle on the griddle for pancakes, and just as I was cracking eggs and frying bacon for the bleary-eyed quartet whining at the kitchen table, the power went out.
To be clear, M and I were the only two who found this unfortunate. The kids LOVED it. Candles that mommy can’t find in the dark! Daddy’s phone as the only flashlight! Mommy stubbing her toe! Daddy trying to turn on his closet light!
Suddenly, it was Spring Break again! All bets were off! Sam: “do I have to wear shoes today?” Elisabeth: “If we make a fire in the fireplace, do you think Santa will burn himself?” Catie: “Do I have to go to school?”
Yes. Yes, you do.
Clearly, they all went to school, because what in the WORLD would I have done with them here with no light? Nate, suddenly clingy and all too interested in touching open flames, wanted only to be held. When I suggested that the dark, cool house would be an excellent place for a nap, he was outraged enough to hold onto my neck harder.
So, after M figured out how to raise the garage door and took the other three to school, Nate and I cuddled in front of the window and watched the wind and rain.
By candlelight.