My word for 2024 is *connection* and I think now that the weather is warmer, I am focusing on it with full energy.
Whew… This weekend was busy. BUT no one to blame but myself.
Friday
- SEL day at the high school! Did a mindful eating exercise with the students (some classes =marshmallows, other=chocolates). Then did an EFT tapping exercise with them. They all loved it.
- After pick-up, we delivered yellow flowers in honor of the International Women’s Day to the babushkas: Tanya first, then Lyuba. Mandatory tea and cakes with Nastya followed while the kids played. About an hour and a half later, we were home.
- T ordered pizza and salad so we had that. Then we watched a movie after the kids went to bed – Alone, a 2020 horror film.
Saturday
- Gymnastics for kids. T usually takes them so I can have time alone. I did a meditation, got started on laundry, had quiet time for myself.
- Then, at 12:30pm L had her first trial piano lesson! Her teacher was great and she stated she is interested to continue. I keep reiterating that she will have homework from the music school- 20 minutes, five times a week. Plus lessons on Saturdays. We are not aiming to become next Lang Lang but I do think it will be good for L.
- After the lesson, had lunch, then drove over to my friend Anya’s house for a play date. Had tea and cakes with baba Tanya, swapped stories, planned, and just hung out with Tanya and Anya.
- Then, in the evening, the sitter came and T and I went to dinner and a movie. We saw another horror film – Imaginary.
- I collapsed into bed at around 10:45PM.
Sunday
Spring forward! Up at 6AM. T went to breakfast with the kids and our neighbors, and I stayed alone at the house, made a small dent in laundry, listened to Stephany’s podcast, planned a bit more, stared at the wall, had coffee. Did a face mask, did a body scrub. Mopped floors with Murphy’s Oil Soap, dusted.
In the afternoon, the kids and I went to see my sister-friend H who lives about 20 minutes away and her town had a St. Patrick’s Day parade! We looked at the firetrucks, police cars, and a few floats. It was cold and windy, so we found a lunch place soon after and had some Costa Rican food. My friend and I could chat, and she had time with L and R.
Looking ahead: New York Botanical Gardens is having an orchid show (want to go sometime in April with friends), then they have Alice in Wonderland installations from May to October. We went to see Kusama at NYBG back in 2021, with L, and it was incredible. Want to take both kids this time.
Brief rants
The cost of kids activities… Aftercare for both kids- $600 per month. Gymnastics for both kids: $250 per month. Piano lessons: $160 per month (one kid) + bought a keyboard (200+). Family activities: depends on a place. At least $100 per outing (tickets, lunch, gas, etc) If it’s in NYC, then $150 or more. Don’t get me started on travel. BUT- I no one to blame but me.
Daylight Savings…. WHYYYY. The students are tired, I am tired, we have state testing this whole week (another WHYYYY). We all are zombies. Our morning today with the kids was okay, surprisingly. Oh, and L has strep as of this morning. Welp.
What I need to do is to sit down and just clear my head. A brain dump I think will be helpful.
Mom of Children 