I’m actually a morning person. Not to say that I’m happier or nicer in the morning – but I function better in the wee hours.  I think that’s because it is the only time that I am really alone.  It is so quiet and peaceful, and the only hints of the mayhem to come are the books and papers on the table that the kids “forgot” to pack up the day before, and the tangle of shoes at the front door.

The cold is unreal today, and the dog is in the garage, so unlike most days, I’m not up by myself – the dog needs to pee, and poop, and eat, and walk – all the things I have stopped taking care of for anyone other than myself… at least at THIS time of morning.

I had to wake up the boy early to take care of her, therefore here I am without my usual morning silence.  This could be a long day.

I’ve finally earned the “mom of youngsters” merit badge, which means the kids do a lot of stuff on their own. The older one can cook breakfast, deal with the dog, clean using more than just baking soda and vinegar (those were the cleaning products when he was ‘in training’), and of course take care of his general hygiene – not fueled by by incessant “reminders” but by the knowledge of the fact that there might be a chance that he will have to talk to a girl, and he can’t do that with teeth that look like butter.

I can just say, “go bathe” to the younger ones, and it sort of happens. It might take a while, and I still have to remind them to wash hair and the other important places, since the tub and shower are still basically an indoor water park to them – all play, no business.

So here we are, everyone is up, milling the kitchen, and deciding what they are making for breakfast. I took the 20 minutes that it took the boy to wrap his head around the fact that he was about to walk the dog, and it is below freezing to make my fried egg and sip my orange juice in peace. I still make breakfast for them a couple days a week, usually when I get up good and early and have time to think.  I end up thinking about how blessed I am to have them, how much they make me angry, how much they make me happy, and how through it all, I love them more than cold cereal.  I love them enough to make what they call “real” breakfast. Eggs and grits some days, and homemade biscuits or fluffy waffles on others – some Sundays, I’ll make float and saltfish, but with my quiet time cut short – it is every kid for himself.

Good morning sunshine. I’m ready for the day – let’s go.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?  Are you happier working by first sunlight, or by the light of the moon?