I really want to take a shower.

I have been looking forward to nap time today since the second the girls woke up this morning.  I usually don't do that, but I really wanted to take a shower.

Last night I cleaned my house.  Well, my kitchen and bedroom. It took me hours.  I mopped my kitchen floor 3 times.  I organized my shelves, shined my sink, did laundry, put mountains of clothes away, dusted, put away everything that seems to pile up on our dresser and night stands.... I did a lot.  At 11:00 p.m. my house looked so good.  And I was sooooo tired.  You know how you usually feel dirty after cleaning and feel like you need a shower (is it just me)? Well, I wanted to shower last night.  I meant to.  I sat down for a second to talk to Chris because he had just gotten home.  That is the last thing I remember.  I totally fell asleep.  I woke up very aware that I still needed a shower.

Then the girls woke up.

I could have put a movie in for them a showered quickly, but that is too dangerous.  I mean, I just cleaned my house.  Nobody has been able to see it yet (seriously, come look at what I did).  I didn't want it to look messy before I had the chance to prove to somebody that I actually know how to clean our apartment.

So anyway, Loralie was getting tired.  I had just been able to bribe Peyton to take a nap by offering her some pre-nap cereal.  This was the moment I had been waiting for.  I put Loralie in her crib sent her to her room.  Then I quickly grabbed my towels.  The anticipation of being as clean as my kitchen was almost overwhelming.  I grabbed my soaps and shampoos (I have to hide them from the kids) and turned on the water.  Then I heard Juju making angry grunting sounds.  I peeked in their room and Peyton was laying down in Loralie's crib.  Loralie was trying to push her out of the crib (like that could ever happen).  Peyton was resting calmly and said very nonchalantly, "Juj, Mom says that sisters share.  You have to let me stay."

I laughed and ignored the girls squabbling and hopped in the shower.  After a blissful minute into my shower there was an absence of noise.  I thought, "Hmm...they are actually going to nap.  Awesome!"

Then I heard Peyton's feet pitter patter down the hall and into the bathroom.
Peyton: Mom?
Me:  MmmHmm?
Peyton: I can't take a nap.
Me: Why not?
Peyton: It's not dark outside.
Me: Try your hardest.
Peyton: (sigh) Okay.

More pitter pattering.

Ahh...alone.  Showering.

More pitter pattering.

Peyton: Mom?
Me: (Impatiently) Yes?
Peyton: Whatcha doing?
Me: Washing my body.
Peyton: Oh.

More pitter pattering.

Warm water does more than clean the body.  I am convinced long, warm showers cleanse the soul.  I began to ponder something calming and important as I relaxed, basking in the gloriousness of my shower.

Then I was interrupted.  By more freaking pitter pattering.

Peyton: Mom?
Me: What, Peyton?
Peyton: You still washing your body?
Me: Yes.
Peyton: You wash this, too. (Not in a vindictive way, but in a voice that suggested she wanted to be helpful)

Then I saw her little hand reach behind the shower curtain and deposit the the girls' dishes, one by one, into my shower.

Streams of milky Cheerios began to race toward the drain.  Sigh.  I had just washed my feet.  They felt clean.

Not anymore.

I just wanted an uninterrupted shower.