the new normal

In some ways, we are adjusting. Everyone is getting better at the daily schedule — as evidence by I have not been asked 10 times today when we can watch TV. The dogs are eagerly on board with the daily family walk, and that part of life is smoothing out.

However, it takes a lot of energy and creativity to run a pre school, and I am exhausted. Sure, I can do this. Sure, I am loving all the added time with my sweet kid. But it is still hard. I do not have the time to dedicate right now to the work that moves me the most, and that is hard. It would be easier if we knew this was 2 weeks. That would be fine! But the stories of 18 months or schools closing until next fall have me a bit stressed out.

I’m also trying to keep the spirits up of my sweet kiddo who confessed to me early this morning while snuggling under the covers that he misses his playdates and his friends. That he wishes the virus would have never happened. I know buddy. Me too.

This morning’s main activity was a two-parter. Last night after dinner, I brought out a stack of my favorite travel magazines, mostly Afar. You know those magazines that are too lovely to recycle, but you’re never sure just what to do with them? Well now I know.

You bring out the scissors and as a family you spend an hour ooo-ing and aaah-ing over gorgeous photos and you cut out the ones that make you gasp or laugh or squeal and you put them in a basket. And the next day, you select photos, and you write your own stories about those photos. It’s a really fun activity. We each write a story (Ezra has to write two because his teacher is so mean) and we’re keeping them all in a notebook. I think I will save this notebook for the rest of my life.