our little april fools

i have a job i love to do, in a career that makes me happy, and i go to that job 2 or 3 times per week, depending on the week. on those other days, the days i don't go to my job, i am at home. but let's be careful not to call it a "day off." it's not off duty of anything other than that easy and pleasant thing i do for money. no, on my days at home i work harder than i ever have for a paycheck, and the stress is higher than any other workplace i've worked in. the care of these two children is what i do, and the making of all the food, and the getting of all the supplies, and the keeping of the household, the dates, the plans, the memories. and sometimes on those days i take all the rugs out to shake them in the spring sunshine, and then i wash all the floors with vinegar and then i make dinner and put it in the oven.... all the while listening to the happy (usually) chatter and sounds of play (most of the time) of james and ramona. and sometimes, they find a marker, draw "wrestling faces" on one another, viciously wrestle in the front yard, and then loudly meow at the front door to be allowed back in the house. i'm not complaining, i'm not humble bragging. i am lucky and blessed and I know it. sometimes i just want to share the weird and wonderful things that happen on my "days off."