My Happy Place

Every morning is the same around my house: Cinderella is running all over the place, playing with everything she couldn't play with while she was sleeping; Sleeping Beauty is just so excited to be awake, she sits and plays with whatever I give her, making noise, after noise, after noise.

I, however, groggily pour myself a bowl of cereal and zone out.

I'm usually pretty good in the mornings. Unless there's a baby in the house. Then, I'm not so good.

Every morning I look forward to spending time in my happy place, where it is just me. Me and no kids.

Except for the one knocking on the door waiting for me to come out.

Except for the one making yet more noises sitting right outside the door in her bouncy seat.

Regardless, it is my happy place where I am free from the world outside, because it can't get in unless I let it.

And I rarely let it.

Every mom needs a happy place where she can go to escape mommyhood, even if it's only for 10 minutes or so.

My happy place is my shower.

Even if I'm not the Queen, I still need an escape time alone.

There are few things nicer for me than a piping hot shower. It just seems to wash all of my responsibilities away. I watch them go down the drain, and I wave bye-bye to them. I close my eyes and let the steaming water envelope me, close me in, make me invulnerable from what is lurking right outside my shower door.

Because, of course, my girls are right outside the shower door, making noises and wanting my attention.

My shower is the one place in my house where I can actually ignore them effectively and have a good excuse for not giving into their demands.

(What, Cinderella? I can't listen to you/watch you/show you/get you/help you right now. I'm busy. I'm in the shower.).

The best showers are those I get to take on Saturday, when Prince Charming is home, there's no where to go, and I can relax for maybe 15 minutes, instead of 10, before Cinderella comes to find me.

Ahhh! Bliss!

Once I step out, however, it's back to reality.

At least I had that one moment in the day to myself. It rejuvenates me, invigorates me, cleanses me.

I may not get my makeup on; I may not get my hair dried, or styled; I may not wear anything but sweats.

But I've had my shower.

It's the little things in life.

So, where is your happy place? Where do you go to escape from the kids have some alone time?