Spring Fun

Oh my goodness, the weather yesterday was gorgeous! Timmy and I worked throughout the morning, without a break, so that we could spend the afternoon playing outside. It was 60 degrees and sunny. Although I know it is a little too early to put away the winter coats, it certainly felt like Spring. The warm weather was exactly what I needed to feel energized and happy.

While I was busy drawing obstacles courses with sidewalk chalk and playing an outdoor version of The Floor is Lava, Scott continued to recuperate from his second vaccine. He started to turn the corner by mid-afternoon, and by the time he went to bed he didn't have a fever.  True to the projections, he was uncomfortable/ mildly ill for about 18 hours. It is definitely a small price to pay for the benefits of immunity!

Today it is going to be pretty again, but not quite as warm. I'm sure that we'll spend time outside when our work is done, but we will probably need to wear light jackets. Of course, jackets are an improvement over the heavy winter coats, so I'm not going to complain. Spring is definitely around the corner!

Shot Sick

Unfortunately, Scott is experiencing the projected side effects to his second vaccine dose. He was okay this morning but began to fatigue as the day wore on. By lunch he was running a fever, complaining of a headache and feeling uncomfortable. Timmy and I tucked him into bed, brought him water throughout the afternoon and evening. 

After our work was done, Timmy and I spent the afternoon dancing and playing The Floor is Lava. (I tried to keep Timmy busy so that Scott could rest.) I am not sure where he gets his energy, but Timmy never seems to tire. We danced for nearly two hours and, although he was sweaty and panting, he could have kept spinning and twisting. 

I'm hoping that Scott is feeling better today. From what I have read and heard, the side effects to the second vaccine are short-lived. Even though he felt bad yesterday, I know that it is a small price to pay for the immunity he is developing.

I can't wait until I can feel the impact of my own vaccine shots!

Immunity Envy

Oh my goodness, it is hard to believe that we are already in March. It's crazy to think that Spring is right around the corner. In so many ways, it feels like Christmas was just a few weeks ago. I guess time is melding together because everyday is so similar. Without adventures and a change of scenery to break up the calendar, it is easy to forget about the dates on the calendar. 

Yesterday was spent working and helping Timmy with his schoolwork. In a few short hours we managed to plow through numerous units. He was both motivated to work and the content was relatively easy for him. Getting a little ahead in his work allows me to feel more relaxed about our schedule. 

While we were busy working through lessons, Scott was receiving his final Covid vaccine. Hopefully he doesn't feel any side effects, although I suspect that he will. Last night he complained about feeling queasy and went to relax in bed after dinner. Uncomfortable side effects are still preferable to a full blown Covid infection, so we will consider ourselves very lucky and continue to count our blessings. 

I'm still waiting for my shots. Because I work from home I am not considered a priority. I understand the rationale and I refuse to jump the line, but waiting is becoming frustrating. I see so many people receiving their vaccines and I'm experiencing a strong case of immunity envy! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

Another laid back weekend has passed too quickly. It feels like the Covid days are simultaneously dragging and flying by. Like just about every other weekend, we didn't do anything grand or exciting. I am beginning to accept that I live a relatively mundane and boring life.

The weather was miserable so we stayed inside and played. Timmy had a Saint Patrick's Day party online Friday night, where he learned both an Irish jig and how to draw a leprechaun. On Saturday we also broke out the science kits and made slime, invisible ink and dissolved an egg. Sunday was spent dancing around the living room and cooking treats in the kitchen. Even though we didn't do anything adventurous, we had a nice few days "unplugged" from the rigors of our school and work schedules.

After several days nursing an achy back, I can finally move without wincing in pain. I am still being careful, but it feels liberating to be able to move without hurting. Hopefully I won't experience another musical chairs injury anytime soon. Back pain is miserable!

 I am ecstatic that Scott goes for his second Covid vaccine this afternoon. He is happy to finally be vaccinated, but remains weary about possible side effects from the second dose. Hopefully he won't experience any of the side effects that we have heard so much about. (Even if he does become mildly ill, it is a fair trade off for near immunity!)

I'm still waiting for my appointment. Because I work from home, I know that I am much further down on the priority list. Even though the establishment does not prioritize me, I'm looking forward to receiving the call. I want to return to a semblance of normalcy from our pre-Covid world.

Timmy wrote Robby this note with his invisible ink. 

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.