Today was what I would class a 'productive' day. Not for me specifically, per se, but for our family unit combined.
Still in substantial dental pain following a tooth extraction a few days ago, I had had a very broken night's sleep and was decidedly unwilling to suffer fools gladly for any amount of time, so I thought it best to keep the clan as busy as possible, for as long as possible.
We started the morning with the daily chore ritual- everyone pulling their weight, some more willingly than others, but everyone nonetheless. Even the 4 and 5 year olds did their bit to tidy their room to a relatively palatable standard. Breakfast followed, then online maths, narrative writing and reading in half hour rotations for the eldest four. These are holiday routines- though flexibility is allowed, especially given my spontaneous fits of 'let's go out!' Today, however, I chose to improvise, as you do, and added the unexpected 'learn a Rudyard Kipling poem by heart' (thanks Hasaan) and ' use that sewing machine you bought'.
The children did not disappoint. Wafa learnt 'If'in obscenely swift time; Raneem and Maya opted for 'Mother O' Mine' instead, recited beautifully by the young ladies to all and sundry. Danny chose not to do a poem, preferring to persevere with his 3rd edit of an adequately gruesome narrative about the Orc and Werewolf nations. Inspired by my working children, I wrote my own story, or rather, published an old lullaby I'd written for my children to Storybird, a collaborative storytelling tool.
Lunch comprised of a very quick and easy beans on eggy toast which of course, as always, was their 'official' meal (it had been preceded by a conservative half a dozen snacks).
All the while, Maya had been trying to phone her mother but it would just ring out. Still, it always feels good to be doing the right thing and encourage contact with her Perth family. In the end, (it turns out that her mum's phone had been unplugged, unbeknownst to her) she got her chat and even recited her poem, bless.
There were board games, playstations, computer games, outdoor play, cooking, fighting, teasing, and the occasional tantrum as well- all part of a day at home in the McNulty household.
Wafa also took me up on my 'use your sewing machine' and made me my very own summer tote bag. I watched her in awe, lending a hand when she asked for it, but mostly just watching and silently admiring the young woman's confidence and ability. Maya did too, asking lots of questions and keenly taking in Wafa's thoughtful answers in preparation for her own turn at the sewing machine, "I'm going to tell all my friends at school that I made it myself", she asserted eagerly.
And all this before the clock struck 5. Dinner at mum's, a swim in Aunt Feda's pool, then home again for showers, movie nights, wind-down conversations and kisses goodnight.
And they even made a few prayers!
Yes, it was productive. But more importantly, it made me feel very very blessed.
