The author describes their two-week period without children during the summer. Instead of exciting adventures or wild parties, their activities were decidedly low-key and, in their words, "embarrassing." The author acquired orthotics and found themselves enjoying them. They also caught up on various appointments. A personal challenge was to finish library books before they were due, which they sometimes accomplished. Some evenings involved drinking eight glasses of water and going to bed by 10:30 pm. While they did go out, their outings were more about uninterrupted conversations and enjoying simple pleasures like Hugo spritzes. They observed dogs playing in a pool near a fire hydrant and reminisced about their children. A poignant realization during this time was expressing to their partner, "I miss the kids, but not parenting." The author also reflects on the quiet mornings and the absence of the usual demands of childcare.