Sleep Changes Everything

 Last night both Timmy and I headed to bed at 8:30. We slept soundly until 8 AM. I guess it is safe to say that we were both running on fumes, but it looks like we are both revved up and ready to go this morning. Sleep changes everything!

I haven't slept that soundly in months. Even though Timmy complained that he was now 8 and obviously not tired, it didn't take him long to start snoozing. His coloring looks so much better, and the circles under his eyes are faded. Today is going to be busy, so I'm glad that I convinced him to rest.

We have been going nonstop since February. Hectic days combined with busy weekends have caused all of us to wear down. This weekend we don't have any plans, so I'm hoping to schedule some time to just rest and play.

The sun is shining and the temperatures are warm. I think this weekend it is going to be beautiful weather, so I'm hoping to get some work done outside. Who knows, maybe I'll even plant some flowers. Although, in all reality, I should probably just shoot for hanging a flower basket. I've never been a gardener.

Calming Down

Calming down from an exciting weekend of celebrations and adventures can be hard. At least that is what Timmy keeps telling me. He had a hard time settling back into our routine yesterday. I'm hoping that normalcy will creep back into our house today. Yesterday he was so busy that it was difficult for Friend to keep up with him!

Unfortunately, I was slammed with work and I wasn't able to play with anybody as much as I would have liked. It was one of those days where my phone was ringing nonstop and I was constantly on the computer. Taking some downtime is nice, but I always end up paying the price later. 

Between decompressing from the weekend and the rainy weather outside, Timmy was bouncing off the walls! Today the sun will be shining and the temperatures will warm. I think being able to run and play outside will definitely help everybody.

Prized Possessions.

Yesterday I woke up early and knocked out a few hours of work before logging off and driving home. While we were all sad to leave Nana's house, it was time to return home. Robby had a make-up guitar lesson in the afternoon and both boys have a small pile of schoolwork they need to tackle. As much as they complained about waking and leaving early, everybody was happy to be home by lunch.

Not only did we need to return to our obligations, but we also needed to get home to prepare for Timmy's 8th Birthday Celebration part 2. (Because Scott did not get to see Timmy on his official birthday we opted to simply extend the celebrations.)  Between meetings and driving Robby to his lesson, I was able to wrap Timmy's presents and prepare his favorite dinner. By the time Scott came home from work, the house was decorated and we were already in party mode.

Timmy was over-the-moon with his party and presents. He was thrilled with his copy of Starry Night (his request) and his new Nerf Gun. Even though he liked our gifts, Robby left his brother speechless.  He gave Timmy a YouTube Play Button that he had purchased on Amazon. Timmy spent the evening laying on his bed, looking at his Play Button on one wall and his Starry Night print on the other. Every 30-40 minutes he would run into Robby's room, give him a huge hug and thank him again. 

I don't really understand his fascination with both the print and the Play Button, but there is no doubt that both gifts are now prized possessions.

Birthday Celebrations to Remember

 What a wonderful celebratory weekend!  

On Saturday we headed to my Mom's big 75th birthday party. We held her party in an old-fashioned railroad card that was converted into a restaurant. The venue was a lot of fun, which was one of her party requests. Even though it was busy and, at times frustrating to play, the party was a rousing success.

Saturday was the first time that our extended family has been together since Covid. I am so grateful that everybody was willing to make the drive to spend the afternoon celebrating my Mom. I know that she felt both loved and special, which was the purpose of her party. 

Saturday was spent celebrating my Mom, but Sunday was all about Timmy. It is hard to believe that my little Hamlet is now 8 years old! After several low-key Covid birthdays, I was determined that this year would be special. 

Robby and his cousins spent Saturday night completely decorating my Mom's house for Timmy's birthday. They hung numerous streamers, banners and balloons throughout the house. When Timmy awoke on Sunday, he was utterly gobsmacked by the festive transformation. He was completely overwhelmed by the effort.

In the late morning the Cousin Crew, my mom and my sister all piled into cars and drove to Medieval Times. The big cousins knew the destination, but Timmy was completely in the dark. He just knew that he was going on a Birthday Cousin Crew Adventure. 

My little guy had the time of his life at the show. He was knighted and his name was announced to the crowd. When the battles start, he was on the edge of his seat the entire time. He cheered so loudly with his cousins that his voice was hoarse for the rest of the day! 

At one point, in an effort to shake things up a bit, I thought it would be fun to start a chant of "Kill the Queen" during the joust. The kids, and some of the crowd behind me, quickly joined the fun. My sister was absolutely mortified, which simply added to the cousins' enjoyment of the chant.  

We finished the day with a spaghetti and meatball dinner, ice cream cake for dessert. Today we are headed back home where we will celebrate Timmy's birthday part 2. (Scott went home after my Mom's party on Saturday so he did not see Timmy.)

What a fantastic and wonderful weekend!