Birthday Recap

Even though he shed some tears sporadically throughout the day, Robby had a great birthday. Thank you to everybody who took the time to leave him a message on Facebook, Instagram or through email. He was touched that so many people care and could relate to his growing up angst. I know that it made his day extra special.

The birthday celebration continues for my Koopa today. He and Scott are headed to a Night Ranger concert (a gift for Scott's birthday back in March.) As an added surprise, the pair are picking up some VIP backstage passes before the show. They are ecstatic to actually meet the members of their favorite band!

I can't wait to see photos and hear their stories. I hope that they make memories to last a lifetime and that Robby will always remember rocking with his dad for his birthday. While the fans are busy at the concert, Timmy and I will be on our own. I think we are going to head to another indoor playground (it is swampy outside and the bugs are icky). Even though we won't be at a concert, I am going to try to make the day special for him. I think we might even cap our day with ice cream for dinner. 

Happy Birthday Robby

And in the blink of an eye, I am the mother of a teenager.  It's hard to believe that my sweet Koopa is celebrating his 13th birthday. My goodness, where did the time go?

Robby, you are growing into an amazing young man. I am so proud of your empathy, your caring demeanor, and your unyielding willingness to stand up for what you believe to be right. Your passion for helping animals and people in need is simply inspiring. I continue to be amazed by your wit, entertained by your humor and impressed by your intelligence. 

I know that you are having a difficult time growing up. In so many ways we are alike. I remember struggling with growing up when I was your age, afraid that my world was going to suddenly change because of the turning of a calendar. I promise you, you won't grow up before you are ready. 

The truth does not extend for me because I will always see you as my little boy. Being your Mom for the past 13 years has been the greatest gift. It has been amazing watching you grow into the young man I see today. I love you the moon, the sun and all the stars in the sky.

Happy Birthday Robby!

Snake Wrangler

I spent most of yesterday with a triple mission: to beat the heat, to entertain Timmy, and to keep my walking to a minimum. I accomplished all three handily with a trip to the indoor playground.  Timmy was thrilled to run and play the afternoon away with new buddies, becoming both sweaty and tired in the process. While he was busy running around I was able to sit quietly in the lounge, resting my leg and hoping healing thoughts.  

Timmy loves playing at the indoor playground. Without a doubt, it is one of his favorite places in the world. Every time we go he meets new friends and has a great time. As soon as we arrive he ditches his shoes and takes off in search of adventure. I usually only see him when he needs something, and yesterday was no exception.

Contrary to tradition, his brief exchanges with me did not involve food. Instead, he was grabbing tokens for the games. When we first arrived he had won a long sticky snake.  Apparently, the prize made an impression on his new buddies. Generous in nature, Hamlet was on a mission. He ended up spending all of our tokens winning sticky snakes for every other child in the play zone.  

Soon every child was running through the play zone, whipping sticky snakes above their heads like lassos. Timmy was in his element as head snake wrangler and playground hero. He had a fantastic day, and my leg is feeling better after the rest.  

The prizes were not limited to snakes, leading us to accrue a vast supply of sticky hands, feet, and assorted bugs in the process. When the playground closed we packed up to go home, piling the extra sticky prizes into a cup. Rest assured the prizes did not go to waste. 

While I was busy making dinner, Hamlet occupied himself by flinging the sticky toys onto our ceiling. My living room vaulted ceilings are decorated with a variety of sticky, ugly toys which are now thoroughly attached. They are still hanging there this morning, and will probably remain until we repaint in a few years.

Homestretch

After a fantastic weekend at my Mom's, I'm back to reality in Virginia.  Scott has a few more weeks of work before his summer vacation begins, but there is no doubt that he is in the homestretch of completing year 25.  As soon as the standardized testing is complete, I know that the work stress will begin to lift and the end-of-the-year festivities will commence.

Robby has a smattering of small projects and assignments to finish before 7th grade is officially over. Although he has until the end of June to submit his work, I am pushing for him to finish this week. Being able to visit with his cousins without the pressure of schoolwork will hopefully be the motivation he needs to get to the finish line. 

It's going to be hot again today and I'm hoping that my leg is up to the challenge. My limb did not respond well on Sunday, rendering me virtually immobile yesterday. My leg was swollen and distorted due to swelling, making it extremely painful to wear and to use my prosthesis. Ice packs and rest brought my limb shape back to normal, but I'm worried that this will be a trend for the summer. 

I think I'm going to spend today working the phones, trying to speed up the process for my new liner. I've been dealing with these issues for almost two months, and the delay borders on absurd. 

Memorial Day

Welcome to the unofficial start of summer!  

Yesterday the weather went into overdrive, reintroducing us to the summer heat and humidity which has been absent for so long. Oh my goodness, I'm not sure I'm ready for the red-faced, sweat-laden days ahead. The heat blast took us all off guard, rendering the adults wiped out while fueling Timmy with an abundance of energy. I am definitely going to have to work on sourcing a pool pass in the coming days.

Today we'll be heading back to VA. Robby has a few strangling school projects that he needs to finish this week. It's hard to believe that he is wrapping up 7th grade already! The year has flown by and, although the transition was difficult, I am delighted with the outcome.

Happy Memorial Day!

Winding Down the School Year

Today marks Robby's last enrichment class in Fairfax. Every Friday, and for the half the year on Wednesdays as well, Robby attended a private school for his school electives. I remember driving him to his first class. He was so scared and nervous, unsure about what to expect and insecure about everything. Today he is sad that his classes are coming to an end and he is eagerly anticipating the start of the new session. The school has been amazing for him!

Our great cyberschool experiment is coming to an end. Motivated to finish at the same time as his cousins, Robby worked diligently and managed to complete his classes four weeks ahead of the deadline. He has grown academically and developed strong organizational and time management skills. I am so proud of him.  

Tomorrow morning we are heading up to Pennsylvania to celebrate Memorial Day with my Mom.  We have attended her local craft fair every Memorial Day (minus 2006 when I was giving birth to Robby) since 1990. Robby and I are looking forward to discovering new treasures while Timmy is excited about seeing his Nana.  

Have a wonderful long weekend and welcome to the "Sunsational Summer of 2019."

Crutch Day

I've been trying to remain upbeat. I listen to the meditations and I have been journaling my positive thoughts. Despite these efforts, my limb issues are really starting to drag me down. When pain is involved, happiness is often feigned.  

I'm tired of hurting. I'm tired of dealing with an ill-fitting leg and liner discomfort. I'm tired of my prosthesis remaining omnipresent with every single step. (I'm sorry for complaining, but I if I'm going to provide a realistic account of life with limb loss, sometimes it is necessary.)

Last night I waved the surrender flag and pulled out the crutches. I need to stay off my limb so that it will heal. The blister bandaids provide relief, but the delay in healing is a frustrating trade-off.  

It is supposed to storm throughout the day, so I figured that it might be the perfect day to go without my leg. Hopefully Timmy will be content to play quietly with his trains and toys, allowing me to keep my crutching to a minimum. It is a lot easier to use my crutches when we aren't playing outside all afternoon.

In preparation of my crutch day I had the boys pick up all the legos, trains, tracks and assorted plastic toys that were scattered around the floors. (Crutching on top of a train or plastic track can lead to disaster!)    Wish us luck!

Warning- gnarly picture below.