Fear, taxes and five year olds…that is what is on my mind
right now. In the hustle and bustle of this house, the first two months of a
new year really silently stress me out. Back to back birthday months mean I
have to get creative with my budget, hide presents in my closet and hope I
don’t forget where anything was hidden. Taxes? Well I guess they are
unavoidable, but for a month mental fear incontinence sets in until they are
finished. Going to jail for tax evasion just isn’t something I can pencil into
my life, ever.
In one week I will have a five year old. Crazy. Like no,
really mind-blowing crazy. It doesn’t seem possible that this little fellow is
going to be five. However, it is apparent that he is not a baby anymore, and
day by day he stretches his independent legs and let’s go of something that he
clearly no longer needs. He is developing into this funny, creative, wise
little person, and I am so excited to see where life takes him. One the
backside of that, the “Birthday Week” has started and he told me before this
morning’s first light where he would like to have dinner tonight…clearly, he’s
got a plan for the week. Cut to me, mentally accounting for the time I need
this week to get everything done: school treats, birthday cake and presents that
I should actually be wrapping at this moment. But first we have to go to the
tax lady…
I have had to learn how to do countless things since
becoming a single mother. There are so many things that I “just didn’t have to
worry about” when I had a husband. Taxes was one of them. I learned about how
to budget money, paying bills, using power tools, fixing odds and ends and I’m
no longer terrified when the talking tornado sirens are tested…but taxes? I’m
mentally peeing again. I secretly wish that I had some sort of personal finance
person to tell me when/what/where I need to release myself of this fear. I
guess I worry because I don’t want to go to jail…it would be difficult to make
cupcakes from inside the clink. But, if I can use a drill, I can figure this
out, right? Turns out taxes isn’t the four letter word that it emanates in my
head. The tax lady was fair, patient and BEYOND helpful, thankfully I can check
this off of my ever-present worry list and move on to world peace.
And, that little boy who is turning five very soon, has
surpassed his siblings in a milestone that every parent dreads…he has learned
to tie his shoes. When Oscar pointed out some “BOSS” clearance shoes to Atticus
the other day, my face displayed a less than thrilled look. I thought to myself,
great, there’s two hours a day that I won’t get back tying shoes. The next day,
I sat down with Atticus, and it was seemingly effortless. No freak outs. Not
one ounce of frustration. He listened, watched and did it…stunned. Now, if I
could get him to wipe his behind and not put it in the trashcan, I will be
throwing a party. In the meantime, I get to see Nora shooting cutting looks because
of her surpassed milestone. Exhausted from seeing this I finally announced
today, “You all can tie your shoes, the next thing is getting to vote…you’ll
all do that at the same age! Move on!!!”
In the process of all of the above, I need to remind myself
that I will figure this stuff out…the kids are fed and we have a roof over our
head…so far so good. While there is no one I can pass the
less-than-exhilarating-adulting onto, it is time to take a deep breath, make
some cupcakes and celebrate the last of my precious offspring forging into the
milestone of a half decade…blissfully remembering I never have to tie another
shoe but my own!
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