carrying on a family tradition

I've mentioned this before, but my mom stayed home with Kiki and I for the first few years and then went back to work when we were about 3 or so. My parents were *fantastic* working parents, and I aspire to be like them with my girls. I don't remember feeling like I was missing out, and I certainly remember them being at all the important things that parents should be at (and then some!).

That's not to say that growing up I didn't sometimes wish things were different. You see, my mom worked in DC when we were growing up and traffic was just as horrendous (if not more so) back then as it is now. So she was often up at 4:45AM and out the door before Kiki and I got up. My dad was the responsible party for getting us up. This was both a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, our morning routine included climbing into my parents' bed and watching cartoons (Mighty Mouse and others) with my dad. Unfortunately, it also meant that my dad was responsible for brushing Kiki's and my hair.

Oh, the horrors!

My dad's method of doing this was to cup one hand under our chin to hold it steady. Then he would brush our hair down as hard as he could, producing a greasy, stuck-to-our head look. To add insult to injury, our hair was already in a heinous bi-level cut (that's on you, Mom!) so we needed all the styling help we could get.

So, when I was in third grade, I looked forward to Fridays. My mom didn't work on Fridays, so there was a relaxed vibe in the house. No rushing to get kids out the door and parents off to work. And, my mom did our hair. So on Fridays, I wore pigtails. In retrospect, the bi-level pigtail didn't look so great, but I loved them nonetheless.

Now that I'm a mom and working part-time, Fridays have that same feel in our house. Usually I work in the mornings, but it's from home so we're not rushed. We often have breakfast and play before I take them to school. And I try to pick them up early -- sometimes before lunch and nap even. And this morning, E was so excited to be wearing a spring dress that she asked for piggles this morning.

And...since it was Friday, I happily obliged.