Another Monday morning rush; little hands, little faces, so many little things to do. I packed the night before, hoping it would help us arrive sooner at the door.

In a way, it did, or would have except of course I forgot that Monday itself would likely continue to be busy. Although the lunches were packed and the homework ready, five minutes before I headed to work I decided it was time to put dinner in the slow cooker.

So while the car was warming up from its solid block of ice (now that the cold front has finally reached us, not once, not twice, but for the third day in a row), I chopped up the meat, carrots, and potatoes and prayed I turned it on before I left.

And in the midst of all the action, I couldn’t help contrast this morning with yesterday.

In a bid to help my spouse achieve a few hours of silence, I bundled all of the kids into the car with their blankets and drinks and promises to behave and not fight. We got a much anticipated cappuccino for each kid, along with a chocolate chip muffin while mommy got another coffee, knowing I was going to need the energy to make it with all three to myself.

We headed to our favorite location; the Telus Sparks center. I long ago decided it was the perfect place for me to attempt to corral three children alone. With only one way in or out of the children’s side, I was relatively confident I wouldn’t lose one.

I say relatively, because as always when you’re out-numbered, there’s no guarantees.

We pulled into the parking lot as it opened, surprised to see at least 20 other cars there. But once we entered I realized why it was so busy. Frigid temperatures aside, February 2 was the first day of their circus exhibit. I vaguely recalled reading about it a month or so ago and thinking it sounded interesting, but what awaited us inside kept the children occupied and miraculously nice to each other for almost two entire hours.

We tried on the costumes of the big top, played with some of the plates on a stick and ball on the string trick, and then my eldest decided they wanted to try to walk the tightrope.

Now this tight rope was amazing. Although not insanely, dangerously high, the high-wire itself was at least 12 or 15 feet into the air. They rigged my oldest up in a harness, did safety checks, and led Alex to the top. But they are every bit as smart as I am and after seeing the ground below and taking one step out, wisely decided that was enough for them.

Applause all around and mom impressed that the seven-year-old who shares their fear of heights was still brave enough to make the effort. Far more than what I would’ve attempted at that age.

We played dress-up, danced on stage, and checked out the exhibits, bouncing from place to place.

They would’ve stayed forever had we not had other plans. With the temperature close to -30 and the cold biting my face on our short trip inside, I took a chance and decided to work on independence. We earnestly discussed whether they felt comfortable or not waiting for me just beside the door for the five minutes it would take me to pull the car around. Although they had no qualms I most certainly did. It was an interesting debate.

Should I leave my seven, six, and four-year-olds together and save them the intense and unpleasant cold by bringing the car to the front entrance, or was it safe for given their ages to bring them with me and chance frostbite?

Honestly I’m not sure what the right answer should have been . But as much as there is strength in numbers, there is safety. I highly doubted anyone would want to steal the three children in a clump loudly fighting. So taking a deep breath, I ran across the lot, grabbed the car, and returned to find them not paying attention to me pulling up, but calmly and comfortably looking at a coin box right beside the entrance.

They weren’t fighting, they weren’t scared. Although I don’t think I’ll be leaving them alone for any length of time in the near future, I was proud of my little experiment and how they did.

After lunch on our way home, we stopped at friends for a play date and allowed the kids to run off into their own little world while the adults sat at the table and played a board game.

For the first time in a very long time, I was actually living in the moment. When I got home with the kids, tired and exhilarated from their very-too-much-fun day, I sent the older two upstairs to their rooms and allowed the younger one to watch TV on the couch until they fell asleep, seconds later. As I tidied the kitchen I thought what a lovely start to a month.

There’s always so much more that can be done, maybe should be done, but days like today are ones that will create lasting memories. These are the days that will be remembered into old age, if we are lucky enough to get there.

As much as I remember days playing with my brothers, my kids will remember these ones. As I continue to downsize and de-clutter, simplify and minimize, I know I’ll have more opportunities to create days like this.

Although this Monday morning was rushed, the mood from Sunday lingers and I wonder;

what could I do tonight that will make tomorrow simpler?