Musical Chairs

 For the past few weeks, Timmy and I have been hosting nightly dance parties. Our "parties" consist of blasting a playlist in the kitchen while we twirl, jump and twist in the kitchen. He has a great time, and I discovered that the activity burns a ton of calories. Since we have started dancing, I have stopped walking on the treadmill (which I didn't enjoy). From my perspective, dance parties are a win-win situation. He relishes in the activity and the attention while I get the benefits of a strong calorie burn.

Lately he has begun to wear rollerskates to the Dance Party, which always reminds me of my afternoons at the skating rink when I was his age. Now he likes me to pull him around the kitchen and living room train style, while we groove to the music. Talk about exhausting! 

Thankfully the train stops when the game songs stream. (After all, it is hard to play Musical Chairs and the Floor is Lava when you are a train car.) Hamlet becomes absolutely giddy when the Freeze Song, the Floor is Lava or Musical Chairs pops onto the playlist. These songs are exhausting on a different level, but seeing the joy on his face makes every sweat droplet worth it. 

Unfortunately, yesterday our Musical Chairs game became a tad too competitive. Timmy and I were racing to the chair when I turned the wrong way. I pulled a muscle in my back, and I've been limping since last night. 

Not to brag, but I think I may have sustained the world's first stay-at-home musical chairs injury. Getting old stinks!

Vaccine Appointment

After hours spent scouring the internet for weeks, yesterday I managed to secure an appointment for my Mom to receive her Covid vaccine.  On Saturday she will receive her first dose, and I can't wait. I felt like I hit the lottery when I snagged her appointment.  I felt a layer of anxiety begin to melt off my shoulders, knowing that she will be protected and safe.

I'm still down the list before I can receive my vaccine. I hope that supplies increase so that I can also join the elite vaccinated club. In the meantime, Scott continues to be our family liaison within the community, doing our shopping and venturing into businesses. (I do miss going shopping!)

While I won't be going into any stores any time soon, I will be spending more time outside today. The weather has been warming up into the 50s, melting the snow and drying up the mud. It definitely feels like we have turned the corner to Spring, and I couldn't be happier. I love every season, but I am always happy to see the transition on the horizon. 

Have a great day.

Warmer Weather

The weather is warming and the ice is beginning to melt. Yesterday Timmy and I were both becoming antsy so, despite the mud and muck that has become our yard due to the quick ice melt, we put on our jackets and went outside to play. I took three steps onto the grass and slipped, forcing me to remain on the blacktop and sidewalk for the rest of our adventure. Because slipping is something that compromises my stability and safety. I don't mess around with ice or with slick mud.

To my surprise, Timmy stayed clear of the mud. He spent the afternoon playing on the logs and chipping away at the ice packs on the driveway. Although he wasn't terribly adventurous, he did seem content and happy to be outside. Our long range forecasts all point towards a warming trend, so I think our winter storms are behind us. Spring days are coming!

We have spent the past few weeks preparing for Scott's return to the classroom. He received his first vaccination with the second scheduled for next Monday. His school board met last night to vote on the return to the classroom and all signs pointed to the transition happening within the next two weeks.

I was shocked when the Board voted to delay the return for middle and high school students. It looks like Scott will spend the entire school year teaching from our basement. So much for the return to normal.

 

Water Leak

Yesterday, a few minutes before Circle Time, I walked into the bathroom and stepped directly in a large puddle of water. I assumed that Timmy made a mess (again) after washing is hands. After noting that the hand towel didn't absorb everything, I investigated further. I opened up the cabinet and a stream of water poured onto the floor.

I immediately emptied the vanity. (Side note, those small bathroom cabinets can stow an amazing amount of crap!) Pulling the soggy bottles, boxes and assorted accessories from the cabinet was both messy and frustrating. Once everything was cleared away I was able to quickly spy the issue. Both water lines into the faucet were corroded and leaking.

I knew that this fix was beyond my capabilities.  Even with YouTube tutorials, I didn't have the tools nor the strength to replace the waterlines.  I turned off the water to the house and called a plumber. 

Thankfully the plumber was able to come that afternoon. After spending nearly four hours under our bathroom sink, the work was finished. Although I'm frustrated by both the mess and the unexpected expense (yikes), I'm trying to focus on the positives in this situation. We have brand new waterlines and a faucet from this century in our bathroom, and it works beautifully.

Ice

 The ice storm from Thursday was significant enough keep us inside all weekend.  By the time everything fell and settled, we ended up with nearly an inch of compacted sleet and ice on every hard surface. Because the temperatures never rose above 20 degrees, nothing melted. We are supposed to get above freezing during the next few afternoons, so hopefully the sun and warmer temperatures will start to melt some of the ice.

Because of the ice, Timmy and I stayed inside all weekend. Scott was able to get up the driveway to get groceries and to run other household errands, but I didn't venture into the icy tundra. I don't mind playing in the snow and rain, but I won't walk on ice unless it is absolutely necessary. 

Timmy, who is usually begging to go outside and play, seemed content to play Xbox and to dance all weekend. Despite not doing anything overly important or fun, it was nice to have a quiet weekend. Hopefully our coming week will be just as easy!