Can I come, Amma?

 I have a habit of sneaking out before sunrise to do stuff on weekends or during vacation. They are almost always unplanned, they are also simple, uncomplicated things like walking in a wooded area, going for a run or most of the time finding a quite spot for some yoga. I love the time that is 30 minutes before sunrise when there is actually light, but not quite...I guess twilight :) The normally super crowded places like a beach in Cancun or Acadia in one of it most touristy spots are devoid of people and I really enjoy the solitude that comes in the early morning.

My husband knows about this very well and I leave a text message explaining where I have driven away and when to expect me back. Lately the kids have started noticing my morning escapades.  During one of our camping trips, I was trying my best to be quiet, getting out of the tent, but my daughter asked me wide eyed -"Can I come, Amma?" 

We drive to a coffee shop, get a drink for both of us and then head to the lake beside our campsite. We are the only people there besides some ducks. We walk, chat, play for sometime and I explain to her that it is my quiet time. She nods and plays in the play park while I do what I do. She loves it so much that she wants to do this more often. Her brother hears about the escapade and now obviously wants to be part of this!

I am torn...Its my me time...not the time to be bombarded with questions such as - why can ducks swim so well, but chickens don't? Why can adults drink what they want, but kids can't (adults can drink coffee, but kids can only drink water) etc...and don't get me started on the music I need to listen as soon as I wake up!

But at the same time, how can I say no to the "Can I come?" So I make some rules that are hard to follow. 

Rule 1 - Leave the house in 5 minutes after I wake you. 

Rule 2 - You will dress appropriately based on the weather and not what you want to wear. This rule makes sense if you know my kids and their dress choices.

Rule 3 - No one talks to me when I am doing yoga unless there is a real emergency.

I figure out that the first rule is enough to keep them away. I definitely underestimated my children's ability to wake up, grab a jacket, put on shoes and ready to go. 

This year we had so much rain that the days I can do these quick escapades are hard to come by. So I started doing it during the week day during the summer. My kids follow me and we have created a pattern. I do the same yoga routine as it is the only thing downloaded on my phone. My son plays in the sand the whole time. My daughter reads for some time on the picnic table and then she starts singing...I mean loud singing. The lyrics are her own, the tune is her own and we all are in our own zone.

 I know in a few years there won't be any more - "Can I come, Amma?" They will be too old to adhere to my silly made up rules. They will be too old to not do anything and just be content playing in the sand by my side. My daughter will one day stop singing her own lyrics loudly by the docks...but I am always ready and eager for the "Can I come, Amma?" question. 

Yes, Yes and YES....you can always come...