February updates

Thomas, waving to a little friend after Kindergarten: “BYE, RYAN!”

Me: “Is Ryan a friend of yours?”

Thomas: “Oh yeah. He is such a fan of me.”

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While driving Thomas’s kindergarten friend home, I turned Aaron Copland’s Hoedown. His friend furrowed his brow and said, “This music is weird.”

Thomas gasped.

“It’s not weird! What are you talking about? This is Hoedown!

[dramatic pause]

…the music of horses.”

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On the way to school every morning we pass a little outdoor mall with shops and restaurants. This morning as we were sitting at a red light across from the mall, Seth pointed to the mall and and yelled.

“We’re here! We’re here!”

Me, “What? Where?”

“NEW YORK CITY!!!”

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The other day Seth and I were watching this video (Janell Monae’s”Tightrope”), when Thomas and his friend came in the office and watched the last few minutes. After they left I overheard Thomas tell his friend, “Oh man. Aren’t brown people just so awesome?”

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I’m meeting with a surgeon tomorrow for my hip. I have actually seen a lot of progress over the last month but my sports therapist and I both feel like it’s a good idea to see this guy. He specializes in my problem and the type of (minimally invasive) surgery that corrects it. We’re still very hopeful I won’t need it but considering my health long term – it’s not going to hurt to get another opinion. I hadn’t seen him before now because his office is about an hour north of here.

Also – speaking of progress – I started taking my time in the pool very seriously. Over the last several months, I’ve been going to the rec center pool doing very specific exercises for my hip…and treading water. Not the best workout but still helpful in getting my hip stronger. But about 4 weeks ago I had an epiphany: What if I couldn’t ever run again? Or do weights? Or yoga? Or WALKING? What if swimming was the only thing I could do? All of a sudden I really wanted to learn how to swim. Like, really swim. This would all be very exciting if I didn’t TOTALLY HATE SWIMMING. Nevertheless, I got myself a real suit, goggles, swim cap, and earplugs. I started watching videos on youtube that teach proper swimming techniques. I go to the pool every other day and try out my fledgling kicks and new ways of breathing. I’m getting better. Honestly though – I still hate it…I just hate it a little less. And it has been great for my hip, which is keeping me motivated. If swimming 3 to 4 times a week could help me avoid surgery? I’m game.

I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted to get so good at something I was so bad at.

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We’re playing lots of chess these days. I usually still beat the boys pretty handily but Sam beat me TWICE yesterday and was smiling ALL afternoon because of it! ALSO. For the first time in twelve years of marriage: I beat Aaron. WOOHOO!

We’re also playing a lot of Super Mario 3. Luke and I both look forward to the weekend when we can sit around and beat a couple of levels together. And then die. And play the whole world over again. Good times.

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All of us had the flu last week so we’re playing catch up with homework assignments this week. blech.

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a shot from the last family dinner:

 

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That’s it. Have a great last week of Febraury!!