Almost 40

” I don’t need two more years as in the movie, I am there” I am thinking three days before my big birthday. Since weeks I have felt the excitement in our house, the secrets whispered, my husband’s apparent contentment of himself in organising something special. I started my celebration two weeks ago by leaving the family and hopping into Eurostar to spend the weekend with two good friends. It was wonderful. I was exhausted of the week, tired of the organisation of the WE, but it was worth it. To feel a bit freedom that I haven’t felt for years. We did everything we cannot do with small children: museums, art galleries, musical, excellent restaurants..dancing in the evening, long walks and conversations. I loved it. And want some more, regularly. Our everyday life is super hectic at home. Kids are now 9, 6, 3 and 1. It looks a bit frightening even just writing it. We are super well organised with my husband though ( yes, learning to give credit to own achievements) and the kids are thriving. For a reason too, we invest a lot in them: in time spent together and money. Holidays are planned according to their needs, their can satisfy their individual needs in hobbies, whether it be music, tennis, swimming or dance (except no dog for the moment..) . We feed them with healthy fresh food, take them outdoors to stay fit and invite friends to play dates. As most parents fortunately do. We don’t get much support from our families, but get a lot of credit from our surroundings, friends and even strangers in the streets. Many wonder how do we manage with a big family abroad with little help and both parents working? For one, we are very hardworking people  😃 We know how to prioritise and use time efficiently. We know when to put personal interests at a distance. We take care of each other and our marriage. We take time every Saturday to go out to theatre or dinner. We plan for future and talk about nothing and everything. These evenings are so important. They remind us of not being project partner or room mates, but of the fact that we have something bigger going on. We have active social life,  love our neighbours who have become friends with similar baggage to carry. The kids energise us and poor us with love. If only I could bottle the positive energy  of each of them to share with people in need! They would hear the excitement of my son having found some big fat snails in the morning at the terrace, or the happiness of my daughter after sleepover at her best friends house or of the incredible song of Ariana Grande and the latest trends of summer fashion (large flower print pants of course). We hear who put blue paint in his hair, who is cool at class, who is going on holiday and who threw up. I am asked if I saw any rabbits during my morning jog, if we will get a dog, or a guinea pig. Of course we hear  also of whining not to play piano, put leggings on or go to school. I don’t have a minute to myself before 21:00, cannot have an uninterrupted conversation with an adult or privacy in the toilet. But this is it, our life, at this moment and I would not change anything of it. At the eve of my big birthday, I have never felt more blessed. Thank you.