Time is a strange thing. Sometimes it feels like it is moving so slow, where each day feels like a week. I thought the last two weeks of March was never ending. It felt like the longest month ever. So much had been taken away from us with no warning; school, dining out, the movies, shopping in stores, attending doctor and dentist appts, being around friends, going to events, socializing, going in to the office, etc. We all had to quickly adjust to a new way of life. There was no choice but to adapt.
4 1/2 months later, time no longer feels like it is crawling. I am actually surprised by how fast the weeks are flying by. Most everything is open again; doctors appts, dining in restaurants, shopping in stores and hair salons. But not everything is business as usual and we still have to be uber careful not to get too close to others, we have to wear a mask, keep 6 ft distance, wash hands excessively, and socializing is still incredibly limiting. I can't believe it is August. Each week is going quicker than the last. I couldn't tell you exactly what has been filling up our time, but boy do I feel busy!
I guess we are getting used to our new normal; but it still feels so strange. Jeff, the kids and I are focusing on doing more things outside. We are doing a segway tour in Philadelphia, whitewater rafting in Harper's Ferry, a week at the beach in OC, NJ, visits to our local pool, and lots of miles logged early in the morning with Lucy. Trying to make something of our summer and not feel like we are stuck in the house all the time. We've been eating a lot of take-out food and going to the outside patio areas of restaurants. I'm weary of eating inside a restaurant and try not to do it if given a choice.
Since this whole mess started back in March, the kids and I do a movie at home every Sunday afternoon. I get us popcorn (3 larges for only $9) at our local movie theatre that sells concessions to help keep the employees paid. We pick a favorite film I've seen and want to introduce the kids to. The challenge comes from finding something that would appeal to both Ian and Samantha. So far, I have a pretty good track record. We all enjoy this time together and I do hope this new tradition continues beyond the pandemic.
Ian is registered for his dance classes this Fall and will be able to do them in person. We are still waiting to hear how religious school will be handled, but I have a feeling it will continue to be virtual like it ended up Spring this past school year.
Unfortunately the biggie we were hoping for in-person was middle school and high school. At one point, it looked like our district was giving us a choice on in-person or virtual. But one week after everyone submitted their preference, the school district changed their minds and decided all students were going virtual. Oy! I am not sure how this is going to in our house. I am very worried for Samantha with this coming school year. Her learning style did not work being virtual in the Spring and needs to be in a classroom with a teacher. I know we will get tutors to help her, but this is her year to transition to middle school and I was hoping more for her than this.
Sleep is all messed up for us. Bed times no longer mean anything and the kids regularly go to sleep way past when Jeff & I do. It's nuts. There is no real reason the kids have to go to bed at more reasonable time because there is no reason for them to get up early the next day. So that means the kids sleep to 10:00am or longer. Like I said, it is all messed up and trying to get something on a regular schedule when school starts will take time.
So much of the country continues to be doing a bad job trying to get Covid-19 under control. Fortunately, NoVa is doing well and our new cases confirmed each day is not too bad. It's good to know that we are taking mask wearing and social distancing serious and it's working. Maybe we'll be able to get back into school sooner than later.
