Ready to Rock!

We are all eagerly looking forward to tomorrow when Robby's band "Technicolor" finally takes to the stage. The kids have been rehearsing since February. They modified and began to practice through Zoom during the thick of the pandemic and only began in-person rehearsals two weeks ago. Although they haven't been together in person for long, I know that they are all looking forward to showcasing their songs. 

Robby has been practicing several times a day in preparation for the show. Unlike the last performance, this time he is seasoned. He knows what to expect and he is more excited than he is scared. I'm sure tomorrow morning he will be nervous, but I don't think he will have the bone-numbing terror that he experienced last time. 

In preparation for the big show, yesterday I took him for a hair cut. He hasn't had a trim since before quarantine and was long overdue. He opted to keep a shaggy, rock-n-roll look and the stylist did a fantastic job of bringing his vision to life. He even had colorful highlights to finish his look. Streaked with fire truck red, electric blue and Big Bird yellow, he is ready to rock for Technicolor!

Check back tomorrow evening- I'm going to try to upload a video of his show. 

Bad Moods

Some days are better than others. Yesterday was definitely not one of the best days in our family. Despite it being our anniversary, the day was wrought with bickering, meltdowns, pouting and just global sour moods. Everybody was edgy, including Scott and me, which only served to exacerbate rather than diffuse.

We all ended up going to bed early and I'm hoping that moods have been elevated by good sleep. I know that I'm feeling better, so I already know that today will be better. For the first time in weeks, I didn't have any phantom pain when I was going to sleep. The absence of pain feels liberating! Even if the boys are still cranky, I'm optimistic that I'll have the energy to try to quell any growing irritants before they implode. 

I know that everybody is beginning to fatigue of being stuck at home. As much as I've tried to provide fun activities and home-based adventures, my efforts are falling short compared to our previous vacations. We need a change of scenery to break up the monotony of social distancing. The boys were delighted when I mentioned that we could pack up and go visit Nana and the Cousin Crew. 

Robby's performance is on Saturday. After his show is over we are going to pack up the car and head to Pennsylvania for a few days (or a week or two, we haven't really decided yet). Scott will stay home to decompress by himself and to look after the cats.

In a few weeks Scott has to return to the "virtual" classroom.  I know that he needs some time to figure out what that looks like for his students. Even though he won't admit it, I know that he needs some time away from the chaos and clutter of the kids during quarantine. 

We are all looking forward to our mini-vacation!

16 Year Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my husband Scott.  

16 short (and long) years ago we married on a beautiful beach in the Caribbean. Surrounded by beautiful white sands, lapping blue waves and our immediate family we exchanged the vows that began our little family. It is hard to believe that 16 years have passed since that evening on the beach. As life always does, so much has changed!

We don't have any grand plans to celebrate our anniversary. In all honesty, our lack of revelry has nothing to do with Covid and everything to do with tradition. With the exception of going out for dinner last year, we have never really done much to honor our anniversary. Aside from saying "Happy Anniversary" and, sometimes, sharing a favorite home cooked meal, we keep this tradition simple. 

Play Time

After a stormy and rather depressing weekend, yesterday the week began with a bright sun against brilliant blue skies. After working throughout the morning, I have to admit that I was nearly as excited to go back into our little pool as Timmy. I've grown to love our pool time. Our quarantine days go so much faster when we are able to hop into our little pool and play for a few hours. 

While Timmy and I are in the pool, Robby is usually gaming with friends on his computer. I've been lax about computer time during the past few months. Because he can't physically be around his friends and since there isn't really anything for him to do outside (by himself), I have accepted that his computer has become his vehicle for socialization. 

Don't get me wrong, he still rides his bike and gets some exercise, but he definitely spends the majority of his time behind a keyboard.  He goes into virtual chat rooms with friends through his VR, plays cards and games with his cousins and plays virtual Dungeons and Dragons with his classmates.  His way of socializing is different, but for him it is just as viable and effective.

Today we are supposed to again be hot and stormy. I woke up early to get a jump on my work with the hopes of finishing early enough to get into the pool before the rain rolls into our area. Let's hope that the rain holds off long enough for us to play!

Ugly Cry

This past weekend the monotony of social distancing wore me down. Saturday night, as I was pursuing past vacation photo memories that kept popping up on my social media feeds I broke down. I realized that I missed my family, my friends and adventures. Not knowing what else to do and having no way to change the situation, I broke down and allowed myself to cry.

I didn't just weep. I ended up in a full-blown ugly cry. My eyes were swollen, my nose was running and I had a fierce headache by the time I finally went to bed. I woke up Sunday feeling lighter and ready to continue to tackle pandemic life. I guess, sometimes, you just need to cry it out.

I am sure that part of my Saturday night breakdown was weather related. We weren't able to go outside on Friday or on Saturday because of rain and storms. Being forced inside only serves to fortify the feeling of confinement. At least when I am outside, feeling the sunshine and breathing the fresh air, I don't feel the constant constraints of the pandemic. I'm still limited in activities and in opportunities, but it feels easier and less overwhelming.

Sunday the weather finally broke, allowing Timmy and I to spend the afternoon in his little pool. He had a great time splashing for nearly four hours. I don't know where he gets his energy! I wish I had his energy, but at this point I'm just grateful that I can keep up with him.