Ear Piercing

Vivian has been asking to get her ears pierced for a while, so I finally agreed. Unlike the days when you went to the mall to a Claire's Accessories or kiosk, now it's recommended to go to a tattoo parlor, where there are trained professionals and it's sanitary. So we went to a tattoo parlor, after booking three weeks in advance (who knew?), and got their ears pierced.

Instead of gold or silver studs, there is now a vast array of choices. They decided they wanted their birthstones, which of course Lanie's is a diamond, which I also didn't know.  And cleaning is no longer with rubbing alcohol but with saline spray twice a day. The earrings are also no longer in for 6-8 weeks, but instead for 4 months, with a post-change somewhere in the middle.

Vivian was fine, lying down (not sitting up), on the table and having the needle inserted in each side, it didn't seem to faze her. Although I have a distinct memory of sitting on her for a flu vaccine two years ago to hold her down. 

Lanie was much more affected and was crying and upset. I didn't actually think she'd get them pierced, I just took her because she wanted to go and maybe get it done. After the first one, it was a little touch and go as to whether the other one was actually going to get pierced, but she was determined.

So now Lanie looks like she has earrings to go to a cocktail party on her little 5-year-old ears and Vivian has some cool ones that I would wear.

Pediatrician Appointment

 Taking the girl's to their annual physical, which were scheduled together to save me a trip. Which is super helpful when they decide to be naughty together. 

Lanie as we wait for the doctor,"you know what would be a good idea? To hide from the doctor and pretend we're not here."

Vivian, "yes!"

They jump off the table and hide despite multiple requests for them to get up. The pediatrican actually walked in and said, "are they here?"

Text Message

Always good to know what my kids are up to. Interestingly we have an actual (mostly finished) treehouse that Chris built last year during lockdown. But apparently the neighbor's tree is more interesting.

 

Easter

 Easter this year: 

Cool kids in their sunglasses, egg hunts, in all a good and not-too sugar-fueled day. We got to do two egg hunts, one here at the house and a second one at Nana and Grand Joe's. 

Sadly, it ended with the news of the second guinea pig dying. Piggie Pig, later know as Disco Steve, passed away. He was recently relocated to their Dad's apartment when I broke my hand and couldn't take care of him. Chris had to come and dig a hole as I realized that I couldn't do that with a healing hand. Vivian decorated his headstone and he was quickly buried as I realized I had a new sitter starting the next day and couldn't quite leave a dead pet for her to help bury.

In the Kitchen

 The kids went away with Chris and came back with a freshly laid egg. Which I didn't know about right away. When I discovered it (Vivian tearing into the kitchen at top speed, yelling, "it's cracked! I think it's hatching!"), we set up a spot for it, where I can keep an eye on it.

After a few texts to my brother who has actually raised chickens, it's doubtful it will hatch. Which is fine, since I really don't need a chicken, or duck, or goose, because they are all possibilities. 

The unclear part is what happened to the eggs that Lanie and Sam had, but I don't think they ever even made it to the car, so I'm not worry about them.

Clogged Toilets and Divorce

So Chris and I are getting divorced. It's been a long time coming, accelerated in some ways like everything probably, by Covid and the quarantine. Obviously it's not where I want to be, or how I want my kids to be raised, and is not an easy conclusion to come to, but here we are.

It's been a hard year and I'm now going at it solo, at least for the time being. Emotions have been running high, the kids are all handling things differently, between personalities and ages. Being in a place where they can only socialize minimally has made it more isolating and a lot more challenging. Sam has his friends more, as they are older and local, and independent in different ways. Vivian switched schools in September, to be in person as oppose to mostly remonte, and it has been a lot of changes for a little girl. Lanie is steadfast but needs reassurance and is figuring it out. She told me yesterday I couldn't have anymore birthdays because she needed me to never die (but that's a secret). 

We've all, meaning the kids, myself, and three animals, been plugging along trying to maintain. Mostly things seems reasonable and calm, and then all hell breaks loose. We've done lots of meltdowns, some hiding, a minor sledding accident, losing my keys, losing a kid here and there, even managed to poke Vivian's eye with the Christmas tree while taking it down. Or when Santa tried to enter Vivian's window on Christmas Eve, when a wild windstorm actually blew the top sash down, and I didn't notice for 3 days. Even after Vivian wouldn't sleep in her room because it was "too rattlely." We've done vet appointments, kid infections, and lots of corresponding with teachers. Mostly they've been super awesome at clogging toilets. Like every few days. Because really, I guess it's not a good bathroom experience unless you clog a toilet. Just for the record, baking soda and vinegar are purportedly helpful in breaking down human feces, but a plunger is really just more effective and efficient. The amount of toilet paper is also starting to get rationed, because I am also no longer pulling wads out.

 It's been a ride.

Thankfully my parents and sister have been around for emergencies and non-emergencies alike. For continuity, normalcy, and always food, and for the children, and some home repairs.

Basically what I've come to conclude is that this experience is kind of like a clogged toilet. Unpredictable and messy and really crappy. It's also taught me how amazing my kids and family are.  And how the children are little human beings who need their family in whatever shape or form that is, and how our blessings come in many ways. 

What Keeps me Going

 It's been a rough run, but these kids keep me going. Thank god for their sense of humor and for being able to turn around and catch the silly things in between the fights, laundry, cleaning and all the emotions.

The butt they made on the coffee maker.

Vivian's sponteaneous robot costume that she couldn't actually walk in.

All of Lanie's naps in various places.

When I can't actually get to Lanie because they've created a fort that I am not allowed to pass.

Strawberry Picking

Strawberry picking this year was a little different than usual. Sam didn't come and it was hot. Wearing masks was required, so after being in the sun, it was a little much. The kids had to stay within arms length, 6 six feet away from other groups, etc, etc.

They lasted about an hour though and we got a lot of strawberries, which got mushy very quickly. Now we have lots of frozen berries for smoothies and popsicles!

Morning Reading

I love moments like these. Especially now, because I get five minutes to think and breathe.

Sam reading to his sisters and apparently also the dog.

Masks

All the masks. Viv likes to make them.

Costumes Again

A hopping bunny with a helmet in case she falls.

Bills Man costume, he decorated his shirt the other day when I wasn't paying attention.

FaceTimeing their grandparents after breakfast.

Backyard

We removed a tree from our backyard, prior to putting a patio in. Our friend transplanted it to her house.

Since we are still home, the kids are running out of things to do. Since they recently built wooden boats with their grandfather, they decided to flood the hole and sail their boats.

 

And Vivian only fell in once. Hours of entertainment. Lanie mostly sat in a chair to the side and had a picnic. 

Boston walk

Boston is still very, very empty right now. There is very little open. We took a walk near the New England Aquarium, the seals are visible from the exterior, and the Greenway was empty, and Fanueil Hall. Parking is abundant!

Visiting the seals.

New Addition

We had a new addition to our family a few weeks ago, a little Snowshoe kitten who we named Mika. She is settling in well after 48 hours of more or less hiding, with the kids constantly trying to "help her." Now she is very assertive and let's Jack know her place if she doesn't want to play. She is also, so far, tolerant of the kids and particularly Lanie who likes to carry her around.
It seemed like a good time to get a cat as we are home all the time pretty much.

More and more is closed around us, so options are few and far between, quite literally, for getting out and about.

Her favorite place to sleep is the kitchen drawer, which I know,
but still makes me jump every time I open it.