Phantom Reminders

I'm not sure if it was the rain or my body just surrendering after being in constant motion, but yesterday was not my best leg day. After I took my first steps I knew I was in for a struggle. The pain wasn't intense enough for me to be rendered immobile, but I hurt enough to be uncomfortable all day. I was constantly taking off my leg in an attempt to find relief.

Timmy was content to spend the day quietly playing with his trucks. I felt like a lazy Mom by not doing something more active with him, but I consoled myself with the knowledge that we were going to a play date in the park after we picked up Robby from school. It turns out that the park play date was a non-event. Although the other kiddos never showed up, we were met by torrential rain as soon as we pulled up to the playground. (More to come about the play date no shows in an upcoming blog.)

Hurting all day is draining. With each step I was rewarded with an electric shock shooting through my phantom bit toe. By the time I went to bed I felt both exhausted and disabled. I know that I am lucky to experience phantom pain infrequently, but when it does happens I can't help but feel defeated. Feeling pain in part of your body that is absent is infuriating!

Party Wrap Up

My little Koopa had a fantastic birthday party. He was smiling from ear to ear throughout the party and I could tell he was especially happy that his cousins were able to come. The grand finale, cutting his birthday cake with the sword, certainly did not disappoint!

The past week has sent me across the country, back in time for a World War 2 festival, and preparing for a party. I have been in constant motion, and the excitement is starting to catch up with me. I'm tired! I feel like I need a vacation to recover from all of the commotion from the past week.

Speaking of vacation, it is hard to believe that Robby's last day of school is Friday. Scott will finish next Thursday, and then everybody will be on summer vacation.  I'm looking forward to spending afternoons at the pools and lazy evenings by the fire pit. Because of my reduced workload, I'm optimistic that this year I'll be able to enjoy the season instead of struggling to work full time and take care of everybody else. I will still be working, but the reduction in hours and stress will hopefully translate into a relaxing and enjoyable summer.

With the birthday party over, I feel like life can finally return to a semblance of normalcy. Today I will be able to put away the cake pans and cake decorating supplies that have been littering my kitchen counter tops.  I'll try to make a dent in the laundry tsunami that keeps falling on me in the closet, and the dishwasher will be humming most of the day. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so Timmy and I can sneak to the farm for an hour or two. I think we are both in need of some quality playtime.

Party Time

After being away from home for nearly a week, it is nice to return to a normal schedule. I'm fairly sure that laundry is piled in just about every available corner of the house, toys are scattered throughout and I am certain it is going to take a week to work my way through the dishes that are collected on the counter. Even though I feel like I returned to a disaster zone, it is nice to be home.  Slowly but surely I will be able to restore order after the "bachelor week" enjoyed by Scott and Robby, and my home will return to our normal, manageable cluttered state.

The housework will have to wait another day because today is dedicated to Robby's birthday party. His cousins have never been able to celebrate his birthday with him because they can't travel during the weekends. This year we decided to throw a mini party midweek so that they could join the fun. Even though school is still in session, Robby's teacher and all of the parents have agreed to a field trip. He is delighted that some classmates will also be able to attend and join the fun.

The party is being hosted at the Taekwondo studio because Robby read that the honoree is able to cut their cake with a sword. It didn't matter what other activities were provided. Once he learned that he could use a sword, the deal was sealed. To be honest I'm not really sure what else the party will entail. I guess we will all be surprised, but as long as there is a sword, we can't go wrong.

WWII Weekend

Whether it be luck, the stars aligning or Robby's birthday wish, I was able to catch an earlier flight home on Friday. I made it to VA by 11 pm where I was met by my ecstatic Koopa running towards me at full sprint.  After gathering up my things, we decided to head straight to PA. We knew that the decision meant we wouldn't arrive until 1, but the trade off of seeing my Timmy first thing in the morning and minimizing the drive time to the WWII weekend was motivation to hunker down and get driving. 

Robby settled into the back of the car and quickly fell asleep. Scott and I were able to use the time to recount and decompress about our work weeks. Because their was no traffic at that late hour, the drive was easy. We pulled into my Mom's driveway and slipped into the beds she had made for us.  I was next to Timmy when he woke up in the morning, and the delight on his face made the late night drive worth it.

Saturday morning we all packed up and headed to the World War II weekend in Reading, Pa.  I was worried that the experience might not meet Robby's memories from the prior year and that event might not shine as brightly the second time around. Of course I couldn't have been more incorrect.  Apparently the World War II weekend gets better each year.

It is safe to say that all of my boys (Scott included) thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.  Timmy was enthralled by the planes constantly flying, Robby relished chatting up any reenactor who had a spare moment, and Scott was intrigued by historical planes.  All three were engaged and smiling throughout the two day event. 

It is safe to say that it was a great experience for everybody. We're already counting down to World War II weekend 2018.

Going Home Anxiety

Tonight I will be hopping on a red eye and heading home. I'm looking forward to going home, but absolutely dreading the overnight flight. I'm worried about not being able to sleep on the plane, and I have no doubt that this anxiety lend to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Normally I wouldn't be stressed about sleeping on the flight because I would just rest when I got home. I won't have that opportunity tomorrow because I am anticipating an extremely active day. Tomorrow we are going to the World War II weekend in Pennsylvania, an event that Robby has been anticipating for months.

Robby and Scott are picking me up at the airport when I land (6 am) and we will immediately start driving North.  My Mom is going to meet us en route for breakfast and to transfer Timmy back into our care.  We will then continue up to the festival, where we will spend the day looking at planes, tanks and all things World War II related.

Going through the World War II festival is exhausting under the best circumstances. The prospect of taking the kids when I'm sleep deprived is unnerving. Hence the reason I'm anxious about catching some sleep on the plane. 

Any tips from more experienced midnight fliers?

California Dreaming

Hello from California (day 2).

Between orientation meetings and my presentation, yesterday kept me busy. I didn't have a chance to miss my kids until I returned to my hotel room.  I don't like eating alone, and sitting in my hotel room with a take out box of ravioli from the hotel restaurant, I felt extremely lonely. I am really rather pathetic because I become homesick after 24 hours away.

I was happy to talk with Robby, who eager recounted all of the days adventures.  Scott was able to leave work a little early, which allowed him to surprise Robby with a trip to the park. Afterwards he went to Taekwondo, where he seemed to have a great time. He happily talked to me while I ate my dinner, filling the void and the silence in my room.

Timmy had a day full of his own adventures. My sister took him and her kiddos to Hershey Park, where Hamlet experienced his first amusement park rides. Initially I was sad when I realized that he was experiencing a "first" with somebody else. However, my selfish reaction was quickly replaced when I realized that he was having fun. I don't want him to be miserable and sad while I'm away. I want him to be happy, giggly and having a blast. By all counts, that is exactly what happened.

Today my orientation meetings continue, but the pressure of my looming presentation is gone. It went well and I immediately felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. Hopefully my boys and I will have another great day!

California

Good morning from California!

Yesterday was quick moving, which is probably a good thing. Between celebrating Robby's birthday, running errands, packing, driving Timmy to meet my Mom and going to the airport, I was frazzled and ready to rest when I boarded the plane.  I felt horrible leaving the boys, especially Robby on his birthday, but this trip is imperative. I know that he had a special day, and that the celebration will continue this weekend as we tackle the World War II weekend.

Timmy seemed delighted to see my Mom, and did not fuss when she drove off with him in the SUV instead of me. Of course, having my nephews there to entertain him during the transition certainly helped. He lights up when he is around the "big kids."

This morning I'm waking up in California, and getting ready for a long day of meetings. I am presenting a report this afternoon, and I would be lying if I didn't admit to being nervous. I've done the prep work, let's hope that I can present the information coherently! But first I'm off to find some coffee.  This hotel room doesn't have a coffee pot *gasp.*  

Wish me luck today with my presentation!