How will you be celebrating back-to-school “Me” day?
It may come as a shock to anyone who knows me but I really, really like to be alone.
I also like to socialize, as my third grade teacher divulged on my report card when she said I had “verbal diarrhea.”
Though I truly love exploring with my children, the toughest adjustment to motherhood for me was lack of alone time. When I was single, I frequently traveled, hiked, biked and played by myself. Since having kids, alone time is practically non-existent, especially during the summer.
Today marks the beginning of what I call freedom.
Others call it back-to-school.
For three glorious hours a day, four days a week, I will have a sliver of time to work, play and recharge before delving into our wonderfully frenzied life all over again.
A few weeks ago, my children and I traveled in a snazzy (and sadly, loaner) Lincoln MKT to Utah to visit beloved Grandma and Grandpa who unceremoniously abandoned us to move to Utah.
Truly, I have gotten over my bitterness.
Over the course of 10 days, we visited The Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point, which boasts the world’s largest display of mounted dinosaurs. We soared down the zipline, alpine coaster and slide at Park City Mountain Resort’s second-to-none base area, whisked above the treetops on the ferris wheel at Liberty Park, splashed at the family’s cabin at Scofield Reservoir State Park and hiked favorite haunts above Red Butte Gardens.
But admist the flurry of fun, I desperately longed for some alone time and my generous mother-in-law gave me just that when she offered to watch my kids.
Actually, I kinda begged her. Must have been my puppy-dog eyes and bulging I-need-a-break-NOW vein in my forehead.
The great thing about having a solo day on vacation is you are not tempted or guilted into staying home and tackling drugeries like cleaning.
Not that I ever do that anyway.
So, just how did I spent my glorious day?
*In-line skating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail up Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls. When I lived in Utah, this was my Happy Place. It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out why.
*Driving the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway. This 20-mile drive winds through aspen groves and rugged alpine canyons of the Wasatch Mountains, passing Robert Redford’s famed resort, Sundance and the commanding 11,749-foot Mount Timpanogos.
*Buying multiple outfits from Utah-based DownEast Basics and inhaling a Pinata Colada Salad at Cafe Zupos. If either store were to grace Colorado with their presence, I would single-handedly keep them in business.
I finished off my day by visiting my friend Kristy who just had a darling baby girl. I stopped by Les Madeleines Patisserie and Café to buy us their signature indulgence: the Kouing-aman. This rich buttery pastry from Brittany is so addictive you’d swear it is “crack.”
Though it’s a heckuvalot more calories.
I like to think it’s this mama’s new version of bon bons.
How do you enjoy spending your downtime when away from your children?
Photos: Go Heber Valley, Les Madelaines.
Breath taking sites-I have never been to Utah but will one day-Do not be mad at your parents at least now you have a place to visit.
Yeah, they keep pressuring us to move back. For now, it’s a fun place to go visit.
The first time I went in-line skating up Provo canyon, I loved it, the second time, I managed to introduce my outer upper thigh to the pavement, my shorts decided to move out of the way of the introduction, not pretty. Haven’t gone back.
But I’m glad you had fun doing it. My downtime is usually indulging in a good book to read.
A good book to leave sounds glorious but that is usually a luxury a enjoy on vacation. Someday when my kids are bigger.
And OUCH on Provo Canyon. That downhill can be brutal!
i love this — i totally get what you’re saying. John has taken the kids to Ontario for a week leaving me at home with a bursting garden (tomatoes anyone??) and lots of bookkeeping to do. There was a day when I would jump for joy over the prospect of being alone … but this morning when they left I cried like a baby. My 3 year old said “Mama, I’m going to miss you — will you miss me?”.
I start my freedom Tuesday afternoon- 3 hours to myself! can’t wait! Feels like a milestone!
I have to agree with you! I went back yo school when my daughter started first grade. Now that I’m done, I have ALL DAY to myself. 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Oh ya, that’s what I call freedom. (of course now I have to join the working world, but only 2 days a week).
We share the same vein!
That madelaine looks gooooooood.
A bath. That’s my big non-kid indulgence. A bath and a book.
If I had known you were coming we could have met- like- in real life
LOL–it sounds like most of us are on the same page! Of course, I only have a few hours to enjoy and it will be a BIG jump when they’re both in full-time. Bittersweet, for sure!
Well said, Amber. Back-to-school is freedom. When the baby is napping I, don’t tell anyone this, it will be our little secret,…I take a nap, too.
Sigh. I miss those days of sleeping when the baby is sleeping.