What should this year be looking like?

I haven't updated the blog for a while because, well, there isn't much to talk about other than the one thing that is going on in the world right now.  The coronavirus pandemic.  Before I get into that though, I wanted to share some regular life moments.  Bruce, being Bruce.  Also, we put EZ in a wrestling program.  It's just a few weeks and I thought it would be really good for him.  He does better more in a one-on-one situation and he wants to do more activities that are mostly dominated by boys.  Well, the first day was chaotic.  There were SO many kids all packed into one room.  It was loud and crowded, two things EZ does NOT do well in.  Plus, they paired him with a kid who clearly was more aggressive and probably had previous experience.  He took EZ down time after time after time.  It was gut wrenching watching my sweet boy get knocked down seconds after he just got back up, for nearly an hour.  When it was all over, he rushed over to me, expressed with complete displeasure, "That.was.horrible!"  It looked pretty horrible and I very much debated what to do.  The next time would have to go better right?  Well, it did, but just a little bit.  The kids were separated so there wasn't as many kids and noise but still more than what either of us thought there would be.  He got paired with a nicer boy who actually let them each take turns knocking each other down as well as giving him tips and showing him how to do some of the moves.  About 15 minutes before class ended, EZ wanted to go home.  He'd had enough.  So, we left.  The third day John was able to attend and EZ only lasted about half of the class time.  John and I agreed to go home and call the whole thing quits.  My son was the ONLY kid who didn't want to participate.  I don't blame him.  He doesn't have any aggression in his whole body!  Which really, I absolutely love about him!  I'm glad for the experience because as kids we all have to do things we don't want to do.  Things that challenge us, that frustrate us, that push us beyond our comfort zone, that test our limits.  It's part of growing up!  He may want to try again when he is older and more capable of speaking up for himself.  But if he doesn't, that's perfectly fine.  I just want him to be able to try lots of things and explore options.  Thankfully karate is going great!

 

 

EZ's class did a Flag day ceremony or something.  I don't really remember.  He did great though!  This other picture is from (probably the last time) we went to the movie theater and they just had to pose with this display.  Pretty cute huh?

 
So, what is this Covid-19 crap anyway?  Well, it's a freaking global pandemic!  It's ruining our natural way of living and consuming some people's real humanity.  It honestly feels like the start to the end of the world.  We started hearing rumors about cases in the U.S. in February and March.  Then the kids went on spring break and we got word that the schools would remain closed for an additional week.  Then it was for a month, then it was for the rest of the school year.  WHAT?!?! The country started shutting down and no one really knows how to adjust.  These sort of things apparently happen every 100 years or so, so that means not a person alive has been through this before.  Plus, this certain virus in new, unpredictable, and extremely contagious.  So, what do we do?  We stay indoors, don't socialize, and try to do as much school or whatever programs online.  EZ's dance class did some online classes for April but ultimately cancelled everything come May.  No dance recital.  What a bummer!  He got his costume though and we did get some professional photos of him and his class.  Here he is following along. 

 
Things get pretty boring very easily these days.  The schools have paperwork for the kids to take home and we've been trying to do home school.  I decided because he was just in First grade, that it wasn't a super big deal to spend most of the day doing school work.  Plus, it's hard to keep Bruce engaged for as long too.  I don't know, home school is not my thing.  Hopefully I won't have to do it again next year because my kids will really be screwed!  So, we're anxiously finding ways to stay busy and happy.  Thank goodness for the internet and modern technology that helps us stay connected to friends and family.  Hey, we're all going through this together, just not physically.  One group that I belong to on Facebook made a challenge to do some self-care and take a photo of yourself doing it.  Mine was drinking from a fancy glass, painting my toenails, and shaving my legs!  I took my pictures outside and the wind here is crazy, if you didn't already know that.  It is crazy ALL. THE. TIME.  It did feel good to put on some make up and treat myself to a little self improvement!  At times like these, the little things can go a long way! 

 
 

 
We still do a lot of Just Dance on YouTube.  Yay for endless entertainment!

  EZ doing another online dance class. 

Yay for Easter!  We were hoping restrictions would be lifted by now because we love having people over to decorate Easter eggs.  Oh well... hopefully next year?.....?  Anyway, we didn't do too many because I didn't want to have a hard-boiled egg overload!  Plus, things at the grocery store, like eggs, are getting to be in short supply.  The paper goods ran out first.  Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, tissues... then the canned goods started disappearing too.  The restaurants almost all shut down, except drive thru's, and take out.  Times are definitely strange and seemingly indefinite.  When will this all end???  That's the million dollar question on everyone's mind.  I should probably mention that we are doing just fine.  John's been able to keep his job and stay safe working at a hospital.  His department isn't on the front lines, but they were in deed affected.  They've transferred to mostly over-the-phone visits and he's in a mask and gloves all day long.  Every employee everywhere basically is too.  It's a lonely time not being able to really engage with people.  Some days are far more depressing than others.  But we count our blessings and keep moving forward as much as possible!

 

Meanwhile, let's end this on a fun note!  Bruce got this Tiger blanket a while back and loves to cuddle in it all the time.  Sometimes even when he's nearly naked.  I couldn't help but laugh and set up this idea of a sultry loungy pose on the blanket.  Hilarious!  To my surprise, EZ wanted to do one too.  So there you go world, enjoy these most super-embarrassing-when-they're-older photos! 

Starting up 2020 ya'll

Okay so I don't know where the title for this post is going but let's roll with it!  We spent New Years at our neighbors.  They totally went all out with decorations and making the entrance a 'speak easy' as well as making the theme the "20s" and it was a total blast!  John and I didn't have any flapper type clothing so we tried to go 1920's gangster.  I borrowed this hat from my 7 year old son and put some feathers on the side.  I think we looked pretty good!  We had so many yummy snacks and drinks and candy cigarettes and silly fun!  We almost made it to midnight, but I was just so tired!  We partied til about 11:15 then went home.  Thankfully we got to just walk across the street so it wasn't long before we were in bed!  I can't remember the last time I made it til midnight.  

 

 
One of our Christmas presents was a giant 2,000 piece STAR WARS puzzle.  It took a whole week to complete and annoyingly enough there were 3 pieces missing!  It's so disappointing to put so much time and effort into something and it doesn't quite pay off.  Still pretty awesome though!

Silly kids.  EZ got some dipping sauce on his nose and didn't know it, ha ha!  Bruce can't seem to NOT pose in one way or another for pictures.  I love the next one of EZ scratching Bruce's back while they laid on the couch together.  It is just so sweet to see them be friends.  I also love this picture of Bruce where he can't help but look at the camera.  He asked me to draw an "X" on his face but then he couldn't see it.  I told him I'd take a picture and then show it to him but he didn't quite understand to keep his head turned.  The other picture of them at the store is of what they bought with their birthday money from Grandpa and Grandma.  They were SO excited!  The last picture is a reminder of a video I took of Bruce saying "that tickles (tick-o's)" over and over with that cute little voice.  He asks to be tickled then has to tell me over and over that it does in fact tickle!  I love it.

 

 

 
Bruce kept giving me kisses.  He'd wrap his arms around my neck then give me kisses on my cheek over and over.  The other picture is from his preschool.  I love his face so freaking much!  He loves preschool and carpooling with the neighbor boy.  I also signed up both boys for Karate.  They were in a tumbling class that got cancelled for a time so we found another way to keep busy.  Again, I love Bruce's expressions!  I don't have any of EZ but he has really enjoyed it!  The other two are just my little dude being a cutie!

 

Does anything entertain kids as much as silly selfies?  Anyway, check out this tree that fell over!  It's right next to a park.  I'm not sure how it happened but it fell and knocked down the fence with it.  It took about a month to get completely removed and cleaned up.  I think there's still some caution tape around the fence.  Pretty wild to see!

 

One particular day we ran some errands and both boys fell asleep in the car.  They get up so early sometimes!  We gotta work on telling the time better.  The doodles are from Bruce.  He draws these guys all the time and he kept adding to it and then giving them weapons as well.  One had a gun and I don't remember what the other one had.. but so awesome to see his little mind create!

Bruce took John's beanie one day and looked like a little hoodlum in it.  Yo!  We went out to eat another time and they had these funky saloon style doors.  Bruce nearly looked trapped inside!  Okay and this last picture is so strange.  My phone had some sort of mix up because the weather was sunny and clear.  But for a few minutes it said there was a Tornado about!   Bruce was pretty concerned.  He'd look out the window every few hours and tell us he saw the tornado and it was coming for us.  It took a few days for him to be convinced that a tornado wasn't actually coming.   Haha!