Late last summer, we made the decision to enroll Quinn at Lerner School in their Little Learner’s Program. He would go MWF 8a-1p. Colin’s schedule would also change, after our first official family beach vacation over Labor Day. He would work 4 ten-hour shifts with Wednesdays off. At the same time, Cash would be starting school at Carolina Friends M-F (9-3). We knew it would be a tough schedule with two kids at two different schools with two different drop-offs and pick-ups, but we’ve almost made it through. And, it’s been amazing!
Both kids have thrived at their respective schools, and I think the experiences have helped foster even more independence and autonomy for each of our boys! Quinn has his best friend, Liev, and now his other friend, Harris (Vaughn’s little brother), has joined his class. Cash loves playing with his friend Henry, but also LOVES playing with the “big kids” on the playground. He tells me, “I’m so fast, no one can even catch me!” In the mornings, he picks out his fastest running shoes in preparation for a chase game with the big kids.
We also have our systems a little more ironed out. It took about 2 1/2 years to do, which looking back isn’t too bad, but given that I don’t function well without systems, it’s been bumpy. Now, we have a room that functions as the hub of our family. Six bins are labeled, Cash’s school clothes, Quinn’s school clothes, Cash’s coats, Quinn’s coats, Cash’s shoes, and Quinn’s shoes. There’s also a basket of socks and a basket of underwear. Lunches (kosher for Quinn, trash-free and nut free for Cash) are made the night before in Yumboxes. Blue water bottles are labeled with Mabel’s Labels for Cash (with a basketball hoop image) and green water bottles are labeled for Quinn (with a dinosaur image). Dinosaur backpack and lunchbox for Quinn, Trucks for Cash. When everything has a place, I spend a LOT less time on things that don’t matter…like looking for a missing shoe or running up and down the stairs looking for socks, and a coat, and another coat.
This season of being pulled toward two kids’ separate schedules has, at times, been totally intimidating! But, I’ve also gained a lot more confidence in my abilities to manage work and home while still juggling all the other things that make up our lives these days (barre class, birthday parties, tuition deposit due dates, museum passes, booking sitters, date nights, reading books, basketball, soccer, trips to the library), and to do so in a way that doesn’t (mostly) feel rushed or hectic. I believe the systems help a lot with that, as well as prioritizing what matters most.
I hope to simplify our lives even further, while at the same time recognizing that we may be entering an even busier season of life soon. I feel inspired by the choices we are making and the community we are building. I feel rooted in our values, and hopefully, we can continue to align our actions with those.
On the horizon are a lot of possibilities…
A trip to Bermuda
A third baby
Cash and Quinn as teammates
More date nights
Time alone during the week
The ability to prioritize time differently
Tenure
A start-up that is just starting up
Two kids in one school
It’s exciting times!
Joyful Striving 