Election Day

Election Day is upon us. And, yes, I voted. And, no, I haven’t bothered to check on the election results. I’m not sure if I want to know.

With Election Day comes a day off school. I mulled over what to do with this wide open day. I contemplated play dates or laundry. But then I decided that I wanted my kidlets all to myself, as it happens so infrequently these days. I scooped them up in the car, leaving the laundry and the mess behind us.

Off to the museum we went. And we stayed all day. ALL DAY. I’ve never done that with my children…anywhere.

As I drove home, I marveled over several things.

1. We took with us no stroller, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, or special food. We walked in with nothing but our coats, chucked them in a locker, and went off to explore.

2. I’m at a museum with readers. Okay, early readers who make a lot of mistakes, but readers. They stop to look at plaques, finding the name of an animal or to see who this bone belongs to. We’re no longer whizzing through exhibits at light speed, but we’re stopping to look and actually learn. And when someone is getting too crazy on the antique street car, I can point to the sign that says, “No running or jumping on the street car.” See? I’m not the bad guy. Talk to the people that make the sign.

3. We made it through an entire IMAX documentary. The whole thing, people. Ellery was a little wiggly, but Neko and Shep were completely entranced. Everyone was so focused that I can actually tell you what the movie was about. Go ahead! Quiz me!

4. I took off my mom cap for most of the day. I was telling Neko tonight that it was kind of like hanging out with my friends. In the past, a trip to the museum is accompanied with much sighing, corralling, and ultimately an exit that involves tears. But today we talked and laughed and pointed at things. I think the kids were actually skipping as we left the building. It was downright fun.

I feel like one of those “it gets better” videos, but to all the mamas stuck in the trenches of diapers and time outs—it gets better. Suddenly they’re walking and talking and laughing and responsible for their own things, and you get to relax a bit and marvel at these amazing kids who sailed into your life.