“What are you going to do with all your time off?” my husband asked as we sat side by side in the front seat on our way home from a weekend in Boston with our girls.

“Go to the dentist,” I laughed.

Our school district is one of the few in our area that still has a full week off for February break. I look forward to this reprieve each year because it is a time to fit in all the things that take a backseat during the busy school year. My kids still have school, so I am able to make appointments and fit in things that otherwise wouldn’t happen. The dentist is always one of those things. For as far back as I can remember now, my girls have always had their six month check-up on President’s Day. Their second appointment of the year is always right before back to school in August. We’re on a teacher schedule.

Yesterday, after our drive back from Boston, we spent two hours at the dentist office, each girl taking her turn… one usual suspect requiring a bit more attention and a follow-up appointment. “Do you have anything for this week?” I ask as we finally check out. “I’m flexible this week.” We book another visit for Wednesday after school. This will make three days in a row at the dentist office, as my appointment is scheduled for later today. I remind myself that having this time is a gift. If I weren’t off this week, these appointments would be a lot harder to squeeze in.

In between dentist appointments, I will fit in a bit of work and workouts, not at 5:00am. I will walk my kids to school in frigid temperatures because I love being able to walk them to school and pick them up at the end of the day. They also love this luxury each year, a rare treat for us all. I will come home to quiet, pick up after the girls, and enjoy a few moments where everything is in its place….before it is time to head back to the dentist.