A tribute to parents...

This week, I encouraged my sister to take a vacation from her unpaid career as a full-time mommy. I have been trying to get my nieces (A & A) to come and visit me all summer; however, it didn't work out with their busy schedules until now. So with less than two weeks before school starts, I got to play mommy for a few days... and I'm exhausted! :)

I don't think anyone quite understands how much time and energy goes into parenting... except for all of the parents out there :) So I must give a round of applause to all the people who gave up their personal space and turned their lives upside down to raise well-rounded children... errr... and some children of other geometric shapes and sizes. I just don't know how they do it 24/7!

I have one more day before I get my freedom back. There will be no more extra mouths to feed. No more explosions of dirty dishes. No more distractions to play games or watch movies. No more extra planning/energy to keep the kids happy, healthy, and entertained. No more expensive trips to the zoo and/or other places of interest. No more chasing them off to bed or tucking them in. No more being kicked in my sleep. No more waking up early/staying up late to find some "peace and quiet." No more "mommy instinct" kicking in.

Today, I will take my neices back and exchange them for my table-for-one lifestyle. I know I will miss them and probably go through some sort of strange withdrawl... perhaps have one of those "did I accidentally leave my kid in the car?" crisis moments. Needless to say, I know they had a good time, and I look forward to their next visit.

Alas, one child stirs... a sleepy "good morning". It's time for the mommy show :)