I woke up earlier than I had in a long time. So early, I checked the clock twice just to be sure I wasn’t being dramatic. That deep, pre-dawn quiet still loomed over the house. No street sounds or padding of dog feet—not even the hum of the fridge. I couldn’t even see my garden—it was that dark. Jogging crossed my mind for about half a second before I immediately dismissed it. I couldn’t go back to sleep, so what could I do at that hour? I remembered the chores we’d left undone the night before and got started on them so Sophia could have a slower, easier morning. Sometimes love looks like grand gestures. Other times it looks like scrubbing toilets before sunrise.
When I finished, I headed upstairs with one very specific mission in mind: intercept Logan before he could wander into his sister’s room and wake her up under the guise of needing something—anything—just to avoid sleeping. What are we going to do with that kid? I don’t want to rush him through this phase, but when the whole I hate sleep era finally passes, I don’t think any of us will miss it.
I caught him red-handed as I stepped into his room, already on the move, clearly pleased with himself. It was still early, but close enough to a reasonable wake-up time that I didn’t bother trying to put him back down. Instead, I scooped him up and started us on our morning routine.
I plopped him into his high chair, and Logan immediately got to work on his breakfast. Surprisingly, he was more interested in eating than smearing yogurt everywhere for once. Sophia appeared shortly after, still rubbing sleep from her eyes. I greeted her with a kiss and asked what she had planned for the day. It was already hot; I could tell because the air conditioner usually didn’t cut on so early. A week or two ago, she mentioned taking Logan to the splash park. Seemed like today would be the perfect day for it. She agreed, of course.
Desi eventually surfaced around 10:30, already dressed and locked into her phone. Sophia suggested we get a move on, but I thought that was a little early for water fun. But with the heat climbing fast, it made sense. Besides, we’d have the whole place to ourselves.
Desi stayed glued to her screen up to the moment she changed her clothes and parked on a lounger. She was laughing and smiling at whatever—or whoever—had her attention. I caught myself trying to sneak a glance, curiosity getting the better of me, but I stopped myself. We all go through a phone phase. Some adults never really leave it. Still, I wished she’d stay a little more present. Moments like this won’t always be so easy to come by.
The splash park was exactly what we hoped it would be: quiet, sun-drenched, and ours. Logan took to the water immediately, splashing with reckless joy, and Sophia was right there with him.
I bounced between everyone, laughing, soaking up the togetherness. The dogs had their own adventure, but Kooper found us later and chilled under one of the fountains, smelling absolutely horrible again. How does he always manage to get himself sprayed by skunks??
Desi finally got in on the water fun, so I joined her and asked about her post-birthday plans. She was still unsure, and I told her that was totally fine. I shared with her my own story. I lived at home until I moved in with her mother. Everyone’s journey is different, so she shouldn’t feel pressured by what everyone else did. I think she appreciated hearing that.
The day wasn’t anything special on paper. No milestones. No big conversations. Just water, sunlight, laughter, and a family figuring out how to exist together in the in-between moments. And somehow, that felt like everything.
