Back to the 1940s

 Another WWII Weekend has come and gone. It is hard to believe that this is was our 10th show. Robby has certainly changed over the past decade, but his love of this event has never waned. It was odd glancing him watching the reenactments. I saw the same glint in his eyes that shone when he was at 7. Sigh. He is growing up way too quickly!

While Scott, Robby and I were at the event, Timmy was hanging out with my mom and his cousin Jared. I was worried about his staying behind because it is only six weeks after my Mom's surgery, but she was getting around great and Timmy really did not want to go to the show. It turns out that my worrying was not necessary. Everybody came through the weekend unscathed and happy - albeit tired. 

Timmy spent his weekend reading books about space, playing with Friend and hanging out with his cousin Jared. Timmy has always looked up to Jared and delighted with the one-on-one attention. He was especially excited when Jared helped Timmy to forge his own coin. Talk about exciting! He is so lucky to have such wonderful cousins to support and love him.  

Yesterday afternoon we left the Reading event, picked up Timmy and Friend from my Mom's house and headed back to Virginia. We were all tired from the sun and the activities. This morning everybody is still sleeping because they are on summer vacation. I woke early to take advantage of the quiet hours to work.  

Welcome to summer!

Heal(ed)

 The last time I saw my Mom she was preparing to leave the rehab hospital. Nearly a month has passed since she was discharged and released to out patient PT. Although I've kept up with her progress over the phone it has been impossible to get a true gauge of her recovery. When I asked her, she simply responded that it hurt and that it was difficult. (Both are understandable but neither are terribly descriptive about her ambulation.)

I was delighted when I arrived at her house on Wednesday and saw her walking around the kitchen without an assistive device. Her walking is slow and deliberate, but she is moving! At this point the difficult part of her recovery is in the mirror. She is now working on regaining her strength and 'breaking in' the new knee.

Yesterday Timmy and I enjoyed visiting with the PA crew while Robby and Scott were still in Virginia. It was really nice hanging out and chatting outside of a hospital setting. We didn't do anything overtly exciting, but we did light up the fire pit at night for some s'mores. (Timmy was particularly enthusiastic about the campfire.)This morning the boys are packing up and driving north, stopping by here to pick me up en route to the WWII Weekend in Reading. 

Whereas Robby annually anticipates this event, Timmy is less than enthusiastic. Despite the influence of his brother, Timmy has zero interest in planes and tanks. Instead of coming, he has asked to stay with his Nana and cousins. Initially I was worried about him staying so soon after my mom's surgery, but seeing her moving and walking around, I am feeling more comfortable. 

This afternoon Robby will begin his favorite weekend of the year. Hopefully the weather holds out for us!

Birthday Recap

 Despite having to do schoolwork, Robby had a great birthday. Based on his emotional reaction to his impending birthday on Monday night, I wasn't sure what to expect on the big day. Growing up is hard and Robby has never been a kid who relished the passage of time. He becomes comfortable with an age and, although he loves being celebrated, he has always struggled with the change. 

Yesterday he was able to push the change out of his mind so that he could concentrate on reaping the benefits. He loved his gift (a new Apple watch) and immediately began to set it up. Every once in awhile we hit it out of the park in terms of a gift. Yesterday was one of those times. 

With the birthday festivities behind us, today I am looking ahead to our next adventure. This weekend is the World War II Weekend. Robby anticipates this trip every year. While Robby loves the event, Timmy is less than impressed. (They are so very different!)  While Robby, Scott and I are going back in time to the 1940s for the weekend, Timmy will spend his time with his Nana and Aunt Sheri. 

I have to admit that I'm nervous about leaving Timmy so soon after my Mom's surgery. She is getting around better and her pain is waning, but ambulation is still not easy. I feel somewhat comforted with the knowledge that Timmy is self-sufficient and requires little more than supervision. I also know that my sister will be around to help. I know that it will all be okay, but that doesn't mean I don't worry.

Happy Birthday Robby

 17 years ago this afternoon I held Robby for the first time. It is hard to believe that so much time has elapsed since that amazing day. Today my sweet little Koopa is 17!

I have to tread carefully this year when celebrating Robby. While he is excited about his birthday he is having a difficult time processing 17. Growing up is hard.  Although the growth is exciting and wonderful, it can also feel frightening and overwhelming. Today I am focusing on celebrating Robby without focusing upon the number. 

I feel guilty because I think that Robby's anxiety about his birthday this year may have been exacerbated by a joke I made. I was teasing him and reminded him that he had one year before he was expected to be an adult. As soon as those words hit the air he froze. I saw the panic and tears swell in his eyes and I felt shattered. Although it was unintentional, I had hurt him.

Today I'm going to focus on spoiling Robby on his special day. In addition to gifts, he has asked to go to hibachi for dinner (yum) and I am making him a special cake. His day will be rather low-key (by design) but his celebration will ramp up in a few days when we are at the WWII weekend.  In the meantime, I need to work towards reminding him that he is not expected to leave in 12 months.

Last Day

 Today is the last day of school!

Well, it's the last day for Scott and Hamlet.  Robby still has a few projects until he is finished for the year, but I have no doubt he will wrap everything up quickly.  Soon everybody will be on vacation - except, of course, for me. Eh. Even though I won't have the luxury of the same carefree schedule, I'm determined to relax and unwind this summer.

I look back on this school year with astonishment. Both Robby and Timmy have grown immensely. This year has brought more independence to Robby. I look at him and I see an emerging college student, ready to fly. I'm not ready, but next year he will be a Senior regardless of my emotional readiness. I suppose I need to just sit back and enjoy the stage. 

Over the past nine months, Timmy has shown tremendous growth in every area. The adjustment to his new school was difficult for both of us.  I remember crying in the bathroom during those first few weeks of school. I'd wake up panicked because we had to do it all over again. I think only he and I truly understand the frustrations of those first few days and weeks. 

I'm proud of us.  Not only did we emerge on the other side (summer), but he has thrived through the experience.  

Bring on summer vacation. We have all earned it!

Spirit Week

The excitement in our house is reaching a feverish pitch. Timmy and Scott are beyond excited about the closing of their respective school years. Robby's enthusiasm is tempered because he still has a few more projects to finalize before he is done. Regardless, the end is in sight and summer is on the horizon. 

This school year has been one of growth and transition. Timmy and I began the year in tears, frantic and overwhelmed about the coming months. Now we are in the homestretch and he has stepped up to the challenge. I am so incredibly proud of him. This year was not easy, but we did it. Not only did we survive, but he has thrived.  

We are almost over, but we have a few days left. This is Spirit Week at school, and yesterday was silly hat day. In preparation, I pulled a variety of hats in the morning so that he could have a choice. He rejected all of my options and insisted on wearing Robby's WWII Russian field hat. Sigh. I suppose this is an impact of having an older brother. 

Today is Silly Sock day. We spent the morning gluing googly eyes and using glitter glue all over an old pair of Scott's socks. I suppose I should be happy that they are not military themed.

Slippy Leg

 Losing weight is great, but when you are an amputee shedding pounds isn't as easy as pulling out my skinny pants. When an amputee loses or gains approximately 10 pounds, the fit of the socket becomes compromised. Hobbling around with a floppy leg is not fun. It feels as if the universe is laughing at the irony.

Over the past few days I have begun to struggle more with socket fit. I'm lucky that I have gone so long before my fit was completely compromised. I don't enjoy the prosthetic process, but I do not want another summer with an ill-fitting leg. When the temperatures heat up, I know that my leg is going to slip right off if I don't address it now. I suppose there is no time like the present to get started.  

This is our last week of school, or at least it is for Scott and Timmy, so the summertime anticipation is growing. (Robby has a few more weeks left. His end date is dependent upon how hard he works in the next few days.) Scott is looking forward to sleeping in and avoiding as many snarky teens as possible while Timmy is already chatting and dreaming about Cousin Crew adventures. 

I suppose I'd better start planning!