I blinked and it’s the first day of Autumn?! How did that happen? How? I will tell you how! End of summer festivities, getting ready for Virtual PreK, a 3rd birthday, packing up my house and trying to be a great mom, daughter and friend.
This summer was amazing. We made so many memories. I’m actually so happy they happened this summer since, at least Anthony, will have the memories! We spent majority of our time in Pennsylvania at my in-law’s second home. We floated on the Delaware River, swam in the lake and the pool, BOTH boys learned how to swim without swimmies (or as I call it, not drowning), we made friends, had BBQs, ate more s’mores than I care to admit (and alcohol too, -whatever, it was summer of 2020), and spent late nights talking, playing rummikub, and laughing.
But all good things must come to an end. And thus, we had to leave Pennsylvania and come home to NJ. It was important to get the boy’s back on a schedule and going to sleep earlier. I set up Anthony’s PreK classroom in my living room so that he would feel like he was in a school setting. I made sure to tuck it into a corner away from the windows and other rooms so he wouldn’t be distracted. I ordered classroom signs from Amazon and used the school calendar (also from Amazon) from last year’s remote learning. Anthony has been doing really well with school, although, I know he really misses being in a classroom and with his teacher and friends. I hope that I can get him back into the classroom after the winter. Everything right now is just really unpredictable and who knows what the end of fall/beginning of winter will look like. The hardest part of Anthony’s school time is keeping Patrick entertained. Patrick loves to do HIS school work while Anthony is on real virtual school. His schooling is coloring and puzzles and a snack and some Masha & The Bear. It’s working so far, but then again, we’re only 7 days in.
For now, I am loving seeing Anthony grow and learn each and every day. He beams with pride when he answers questions correctly and he loves learning new things. He amazes me every single day. Honestly. He was a “late speaker”. I mean, barely speaking at age 2. During the past year, he has really improved. His vocabulary and his storytelling are leaps and bounds from where he was September 2019. Currently, his imagination is on overdrive. He loves pretending and role playing and making something new up everyday. AND he brings his brother into his little world with him. They truly love playing with each other and re-imagining the world they are in. They are always 17 months apart in age, but for some reason Patrick now being 3 and Anthony’s new found imagination has made this bond really special.
Yup, I said it, I have a THREE year old! Patrick had a week long birthday, but of course. We always buy Donuts for the boy’s birthday breakfast (BONUS: my birthday is little Anthony’s birthday, so I get them too!) So we started the day with donuts, had a cheese plate for lunch, “delivery pizza” (yes, this is how they ask for it) for dinner and finally, the birthday boy asked for S’mores for dessert. For presents, I KNEW everyone else was going to give him toys, so I decided to buy him his own backpack (like Anthony’s – from Pottery Barn Kids) filled with coloring books, stickers and temporary tattoos! He also got an e-reader Trolls collection and a Ghostbusters shirt. We had a small family Trolls themed birthday party for him over the weekend. It was suuuch a beautiful day and I am SOOOO thankful that my mom let us use her house. All of the family lives in the same area, besides us, and she has a great little backyard. We set up the bounce house and let the boys jump out ALL the sugar they had all day. Patrick loves all his family and he loved all his presents. SO. MANY. TRANSFORMERS!
Today is the first official day of Autumn. That means September is almost over. WHERE DID THIS MONTH GO? I feel like I missed half the month? Some days I think I have life under control and I’m organized and ready for everything. And other days I feel like I’m running in circles. I have made lists on lists and revised those lists. Usually, I am very focused on a task – as in if I start it, I complete it. But I can not for the life of me get into a groove.
Any suggestions on how to get myself straightened out and more focused? I barely have time to myself to write blog posts, so please do not tell me to meditate – haha – mama ain’t got time for that!
Thanks for stopping by!
Christina