New Year's Eve

 I historically despise New Year's Eve. A holiday with its foundation in celebratory drinking, revelry and over-the-top parties just never appealed to me. Perhaps because I'm a homebody at heart, but New Year's Eve always made me feel lonely and guilty for being on the couch watching television with a bag of chips and a tub of onion dip. It felt as if the rest of the world was together having fun and I was alone and pathetic. Not exactly a fun way to bring in a new calendar!

This year New Year's Eve feels different. I am actually excited about the turning of the year and the prospect of starting fresh. Logically I know that the pandemic and political turmoil will be still be monopolizing our lives well into 2021. 

New Year's Eve doesn't change anything other than providing an opportunity to feel optimistic. Optimism and hope is something that has been in short supply throughout 2020. May 2021 be better for everybody! 

If you are celebrating away from your couch tonight, please wear a mask and don't drink and drive. The world is filled with so much heartbreak right now.  Stay safe!

Treasure Hunter

I am loving this crisp and cool yet not painfully cold weather. Timmy and I spent nearly four hours outside yesterday, playing with his new toy plane and climbing on the logs. I did my best to keep up with him but his energy seems endless! 

I am thoroughly enjoying our Christmas stay-cation. Without having to worry about school schedules and because Scott is home to help, I am able to finish my work in the early morning and evening. It has been so nice disconnecting each afternoon to play and hang out with the kids. Going back to our reality schedule next week is going to be a shocker for everybody. 

We still have a few days left of our respite from reality, and I plan on making the most of it. Today is going to be beautiful again, so I'm sure that there will be more log climbing and plane flying in my future. Although we haven't yet been successful, I'm sure that Timmy will convince me to go on another treasure hunt. (He is certain that there is a million dollars hidden somewhere in our yard.)

Have a great day!

Log Climbing

Our house is definitely in "chill out and relax" mode. Although I'm still working, all of the boys are on Christmas vacation. Even though I'm not on vacation, my days are considerably easier because I'm not managing schooling and other activities. I've come to realize that this is as relaxed and laid back as I'm going to be at this stage in my life.

The weather has been unseasonably warm, allowing the boys to play outside. We recently had several trees cut down so several parts of our yard have been transformed into an engaging obstacle course. Timmy has spent hours climbing, jumping and traversing over and around the logs. (Yes, we did make sure that they were all stable before allowing him to climb.) 

Yesterday Hamlet was begging me to climb on the logs with him. Although I really wanted to play with him and hated to disappoint him, I had to say no. I just don't trust my balance on the logs with my prosthesis. My limb has been stable but sore lately, and I don't want to risk my mobility by slipping on a log.

I hate having to pass on an activity because of my amputation. While I'm sure I could have done it if I absolutely had to, I knew it was best if I stayed on the sidelines. Instead of climbing with him, I made a game out of his completing the obstacle course in different ways. He seemed content and seemed to forget that I wasn't participating in the way that he originally requested. 

Today the weather is supposed to continue to be nice. I'm sure that there will be more log climbing and outdoor exploring in my future. If we can't have snow, I'm glad that it is warm enough to enjoy being outside.

Christmas!

I've always loved the holidays, and my joy has only intensified after having kids. The only thing better than experiencing Christmas morning is watching the excitement and magic unfold in front of your kids. Although Robby is no longer a believer in all of the magic of Christmas, he continues to play along with all of our traditions.  

Like everything else this year, Christmas felt different. I was approaching the holiday with both excitement and dread. I was looking forward to witnessing the joy and excitement of my kids, but I was longing for our traditions and connections with family and friends. 

Refusing to allow a pandemic to keep her from her Christmas Eve tradition, my Mom took a Covid test which verified that she was negative before traveling to visit us.  I think Timmy was more excited that his Nana was visiting than he was Santa. He eagerly sat by the window all day on Christmas Eve, patiently (and sometimes impatiently) waiting for her to arrive. When she finally pulled into the driveway he bolted out of the house to greet her with a squeal and a hug.

In a year that has felt awkward and abnormal, it was wonderful having my Mom here for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I loved watching her play with the boys and snuggle with Timmy before falling asleep with him on Christmas Eve. (Per tradition, she slept in his room to keep him from peeking.)

Christmas morning was a flurry of torn paper and excited exclamations. Both boys seemed delighted with their haul. I guess they were both especially good this year because they both received their declared wishes. Robby spent the rest of the day setting up his new laptop while Timmy happily walked and played on his new treadmill. (A strange request for a six year old, but he was consistent in his request.)

My Mom left after Christmas dinner, leaving the house feeling both quiet and content. Timmy sobbed for almost two hours, sad that his Nana left and repeating, "It is hard to say goodbye." I'm hoping that the vaccine rolls out quickly, because I don't want as much time to lapse between visits.  

I hope that everybody had a wonderful Christmas, filled with joy and new memories. 

 

Preparations

 We are in the final countdown! 

My kitchen is overflowing with cookies and treats, our stockings are hung and Timmy is anxiously checking the time on the snowman every few hours. Our Christmas tree and garlands are shining bright and, slowly, my house is beginning to benefit from its holiday scrub down. There is no doubt, Christmas is upon us.

Yesterday was Scott's last day of virtual teaching for the year. (His school system is continuing the virtual school model throughout the beginning of 2021, and probably for the duration of this school year.) He is officially on vacation until January 3. Much to Robby's chagrin, he needs to spend some time catching up on assignments during his break, so he will not be able to completely walk away from his studies.  

Happy Few Days Before Christmas!

Mr. Bill

 It has been several years since Mr. Bill moved to Florida, yet we all continue to miss him dearly. Countless times I have caught myself heading over to his house, eager for a reprieve from the chaos of my boys and a friendly ear. Whenever anything breaks, or when we have exciting news, we all fight the urge to walk across the street to talk with Mr. Bill.

Although I miss him throughout the year, his absence is more profound during the holidays. For years he helped me play Santa, stashing all of our gifts in his closet and assembling the toys before they were gifted. I miss sneaking over to his house at night to wrap the gifts. He would tell stories, drink eggnog and sing Greek songs while I wrestled with wrapping paper, tape and the stress of the season. Towards the end of the evening, as his eggnog began to kick in, his singing would become louder and my holiday stress would melt away.

Yesterday was the day I designated to wrap Christmas presents. As Scott and I were figuring out ways for him to distract the boys during a pandemic, my thoughts were drifting back to Mr. Bill. I looked out the window and saw a silver truck coming down our driveway. At this time of year, it is not unusual for deliveries to arrive in personal vehicles so I didn't think much of it. But there was something about the way that the truck turned into our driveway that felt familiar. Before the driver even turned off the truck I was running out the door.

Mr. Bill came to visit! His daughter was married over the weekend so he drove up from Florida for her wedding. To say that we were happy to see him would be an understatement. In such a dark and difficult year, his surprise visit was a highlight.

Robby came running out to the living room when he heard Mr. Bill's familiar booming voice. Despite having two heart attacks during the past year, he looked fantastic. His visit was brief but we were all delighted to spend a little time together. My goodness how we miss having him as our neighbor!

 

Virtual Holiday

Between having a cookie party with Mrs. Claus (with a cameo surprise from Santa) to live streaming the Nutcracker with Robby, this weekend was nonstop Christmas celebration- pandemic style. Even though our experiences are different this year, we had a great time and made some wonderful memories. I'm glad that I decided to go for it with the virtual experiences. Not only were we able to help support artists and organizations that have been shuttered because of the pandemic, but we were able to infuse a little holiday magic right into our home.

Timmy was completely enthralled by his interactions with Mrs. Claus. In full costume, she knew information that only Santa (and his wife) would know (with the exception of Mom of course). After discussing our cats, his brother and his new skills in kindergarten, she told Timmy that Santa appreciated his Christmas wish because it was different.  Apparently a lot of kids don't wish for treadmills. Go figure!

Robby and I had fun on our traditional Nutcracker date. We brought home take-out, dressed in our matching holiday jammies and settled in front of the fire for the show. Scott did a great job of entertaining Timmy for the evening, allowing Robby and I to thoroughly immerse in the show. Watching the ballet on the screen instead of in person was definitely different, but it was still fun.

I spent yesterday baking cookies and cleaning in anticipation of Santa's arrival. It was a great weekend, and we are all looking forward to the excitement of the week.