School started the Monday after my brother left, January 7. Saturday was taken with laundry and bringing the house back into a normal state, and on Sunday we went to church and took long naps to recuperate. Monday found me unprepared, but school started anyways without any regard for my feelings. We had to jump right away onto piano practice, chorus, homework, chore routine, preschool, as well as coming up with art ideas for my kids' classes, prepare for Charlton's preschool and teach Relief Society. It was so hard to get back to regular schedule after having had such a relaxing vacationing.
Since the first two weeks of January were occupied with catching up and getting back to our accustomed routine, for recreation, we tried to keep it low-key, so I had the kids play a lot of basketball with their dad, built with their legos, play piano, read and draw, have play dates, have fun with friends at the Jungle (a huge maze-like indoor playground), and take naps.
Later on in the month, we had the opportunity to spend some time outdoors. One Saturday afternoon, we took the kids' motorcycle with us and went to visit some friends of ours at their house on the Delta. The kids all took turns riding it all over the property, and then after we finished lunch, they all decided to put on swim suits and tube in the river, which to me sounded crazy and unbelievable since it was the middle of January and relatively cold. The kids were oblivious to the cold and just wanted to have fun. On their tubing adventure they were graced by the presence of some interesting and rare visitors, sea lions, that had perched themselves on top of a buoy in the middle of the river. I guess even the sea lions are in need of solitude. After the water adventure, the kids got dressed and circled around the fire. Meanwhile, I noticed for the first time the pretty flowers that a Eucalyptus tree produces. Dazzling sunsets, lacy flowers, lonely sea lions, happy kids, great company, what more can you want on a Saturday afternoon?!
January also brought 5th grade camp for my daughter, and a restless week for me. Last summer Gillian experienced her first camp away from home when she went with her chorus group for three days and two nights. This time she left for four days and three nights. I thought I would feel okay since I went through this once, but it never gets better. I was walking on pins and needles all week. I know I shouldn't since we have taught her well and she is a responsible and mature girl. You can never calm the heart of a mother however.
When she got back, she seemed to have had a fantastic time hiking, learning, kissing banana slugs, dancing, and making memories. Her favorite activity was Boogie night when they danced the country/western two -step till midnight. I remembered my own summer camps and how dancing till early hours of the morning was my favorite activity as well. She takes a little bit after me after all.
Speaking of making friends and creating memories, January also brought us back old friends who came to visit for a week-end. Gillian and all of her friends from church were excited to play with Afton, Jefferson and James had a monopoly on Abel, and us moms enjoyed talking and catching up with each other as the kids played in the park for hours. What better than in the park to enjoy a bright sparkly day!
Next post, Melita's literary adventures for January. Stay tuned...
