a mama is

After four days apart from their parents, my children are happy but tired, fussy after so many days of exciting fun, and wearied by the thought of schoolwork, piano practice, and the humdrum pace of normal life.

Every grumpy grumble and haughty eye roll tell me that today they are in need of a mama.

They need me to hold them when they wake up, to make them their breakfast, to tell them they can do all that is on their list of tasks today, and to gently guide them through the boring tasks of our life.

Tomorrow, when Mr. Fantastic is home, they will get the good dose of daddy that they need, too.

They will need a daddy to hand them a rake for the leaves, to play football and Legos with them, and to tell them how much he loves them.

I am so happy to be home. I am so grateful to have these little lives bouncing around me today. I missed their boundless energy while I was gone.

I'm holding hands and filling cups and laughing at jokes and driving to piano practice and reading history lessons and baking cookies.

It's going to be a great weekend.