Summer- Lessons and more

Before summer started, I was concerned how the boys would handle the lack of a defined schedule. I tried to plan activities like swim lessons and other classes, but knew those wouldn't take up much of the days. So much for my worries, the boys have been fine to do whatever, especially if it meant a fun activity or playing video games. On the other hand, it's killing me, I want my routine back. I can't exercise consistently, probably haven't eaten as well, haven't written a blog in weeks, and just don't seem to get things done. I never would have guessed I would be the one craving routine. To go along with that, I had forgotten what an ordeal it was to take both boys to do errands. The grocery store was the worst, if they weren't whining and foot dragging, then were pushing the cart and almost crashing it. If they weren't harassing me to buy something, then they were pushing/shoving/grabbing/hugging/kissing (yes kissing, but only to annoy, not in affection). I probably should have taken Valium before we went, or a high blood pressure pill afterward. Taking just one on errands is fine, but for some reason the two together turn into different children, with no sense of what is appropriate public behavior. It's like a chemical experiment where two elements in separate viles are harmless, but when mixed they blow up the room. This of course is not to say I haven't enjoyed my summer and being able to spend more time with the boys. It's actually been a quite remarkable couple of months.

It's been a summer of breakthroughs of sorts. I went to a high school reunion for the first time and got to see and visit with people I hadn't seen in 20 years. J has been great about taking more time off work, enjoying a staycation with her mom and sister, and just random days to do things together as a family. Q after his fourth birthday and a brief chat, gave up his binkies that he used to sleep. He just quit cold turkey, with nary a complaint, I was shocked how easy it was. Then there is O, he has made some huge strides overcoming his anxiety this summer. It started with his swimming lessons. In the past he steadfastly refused to go underwater, clinging to his teacher, begging not to. He hated to float on his back as well, and would routinely try to talk his way out of performing many of the acts his teachers requested. At his first couple of lessons this year he was reticent, but he wore his goggles and became more comfortable. Three sessions in, and now he is like a fish, spending half his time underwater, floating alone, and not wanting to come out of the pool. We also took the boys to the local amusement park, where O showed no hesitation in going on all the roller coasters (the faster the better) and most other rides. He does not share my fear of heights. He still wouldn't go on the haunted house type rides, but that seemed pretty reasonable to me. For the first time this summer, O also attended a day camp where I dropped him off and came back later to pick him up. That may not sound like much, but in the past he's always had me stay during his classes (outside of school) and such that he took. This is the child who I had to lie to and tell him that I was waiting for him in the parking lot the whole time while he was in preschool. So it was pretty big that I left him there. One last success, although it hasn't been fully realized, is our backyard vegetable garden. We haven't harvested much yet, but things are growing great and if nothing else we'll have more tomatoes than we'll know what to do with.

I don't know if this is really an accomplishment, but I did have a nine day stretch where I ate dinner in a restaurant on eight of them. I wouldn't have thought it would happen, but I got tired of going out. I just wanted to have a nice quiet home cooked meal. The most remarkable part was that I managed to not gain weight. Despite not making the time to exercise as much as I would like, I've been maintaining my weight within a couple of pounds. Down almost twenty pounds from when I started to eat right and exercise. Once school starts again, I plan to be better in consistently working out, and I imagine I will settle in about 5-10lbs less than where I am now. That will put me around 200, and I think that's probably about where I am supposed to be.

I figured I should write this blog, so that I didn't go an entire month without posting, not that anyone notices, but it made sense in my mind. I've had about 4 or 5 blogs I've intended to write and never did. Hopefully once school starts inspiration will continue to strike, and with my routine intact I will post more. In the meantime, don't expect much, the summer sun and grocery shopping with my boys turns my brain to mush.