One day...

Last weekend, we went on An Outing. Not an unusual way for us to spend a Sunday afternoon, but for lots of little reasons it didn't go as seamlessly as other days out.
Little One was tired and wanted to be carried, Littlest was tired and did NOT want to be carried. A walk through the fairy woods kept everyone fairly well entertained and then it was time to take in a birds of prey flight display. While the older three were impressed, Littlest was uninterested and spent his time counting and running and - unfortunately - squealing his annoyance. As it turns out, birds of prey are not all that keen on the sound of a shrieking toddler. Neither were those members of the audience unrelated to us. While we managed to make our escape pretty unscathed, as we drove home trying to keep everyone awake it was easy to think longingly of how days like that will get easier soon. After all, Littlest is turning two this week, these are exciting times!

One day, we won't need to bring buggies and slings everywhere we go.
One day, there will be no more nappies to wash. No high-chair taking up floor space in the kitchen. There'll be no crusts of toast discarded carelessly, no noses wiped on shoulders. We won't have to worry about an ill-timed 20 minute car snooze.

One day, I'll be able to cook dinner without calling out spellings over my shoulder. I will make plans with friends, and be able to keep them. I'll use the bathroom alone.

One day, they'll forget to kiss me goodbye at the school gates.
One day, they'll refuse a kiss intentionally.

One day, my nonsense songs will be met with rolled eyes instead of applause. They will realise that actually, I was never cool.
One day, they'll pack a bag for college and my heart will shatter with pride and sorrow.

One day, they'll really mean to phone but by the time they get home after work and meeting friends, it will be too late to risk waking us up.

Some days, it feels hard for us to be so urgently needed by these four interesting people who we are watching grow up. Some days, I realise that their burgeoning independence will be even harder to deal with.
One day, but not yet.