Friday was the last Tibble Friday. The tradition may be reinstated come next summer, but for now my weeks will be Tibbleless. This new development made me a little sad and nostalgic, at least in theory. When I think about not spending one day a week with the Tibbles I am sad. But when I think about not having to get up at 6 a.m. or not having to answer the never-ending questions for nine hours in a row or not having to hear someone screech “NO FAIR,” I’m not so much sad as I am relieved.

We’ve spent at least one day a week together for the past two and a half years. Friday really was the end of an era. We celebrated by making monster cookies.

As we mixed, shook, and shouted NO FAIR, I tried to get the Tibbles to express some kind of emotion regarding the end of our weekly visits.

“After today I won’t be babysitting you all the time anymore,” I said.
“Can I add this oil?” Nolan shook a bottle of vanilla at me.
“It’s not oil,” I said. “Aren’t you sad you won’t see me anymore?”
“We’ll still see you at Christmas and Easter and things like that, right?” Cade asked.
“Yes,” I said. “But you won’t see me every week like you do now.”
“So?” he said.
“So, it makes me sad.”
“Is it time to add the yummy yums?” Liam asked.
“You guy aren’t sad at all?” I asked.
The shook their head in unison.

Damn boys.