They're Home! They're Home!

I have been managing my empty nest better this year.  While there are still moments that I check the calendar thinking, "Shouldn't I be driving R somewhere?" there are many more moments when I relax into my chair and breathe a sigh of relaxation.  My time is, for now, my own, and I've grown to enjoy this, and while I think of the kids, they don't occupy the majority of my thoughts like they used to. 

But it is funny how our brains work.  This morning, after opening my eyes I immediately thought, "They will be home today, both of them! Whoo hoo!"  Spring Break (for them) starts tomorrow.  Upon finishing my day and leaving my school this afternoon, I began a mental list:

• Things I needed to talk to each of them about (college graduation party, plans for summer), 
• Things we might want to do together (see Bohemian Rhapsody, and Rome, check out the new Ballston Quarter)
• Things I should have ready for them (rooms opened and warmed, towels out, toiletries available)
• Things that if I were the perfect mother I would do (bake cookies, delicious smelling stew ready for them) 
• Things I should buy since I'm far from the perfect mother (anything with a carb, since we have eliminated those bad things from our pantry) - and the children will walk into my house, glance around the kitchen, and predict their pending starvation. 

So, I think I'm ready.  I have a couple of Girl Scout Cookie Boxes (I stashed away for emergencies) ready to go; the kettle is on to boil; I've bought Bohemian Rhapsody; and I have an order placed to Domino's for delivery a little later.  Then we have all week to reconnect!