A Friday

In an effort to save money/initially being unsure of what to do with myself, we pared down E's Montessori from 5 days full days to 3 half days. This was because Jon and I were trying to conceive #2 this year, hence me going back to work didn't seem to make sense (not to mention all the Covid-19 craziness still in the educational sector). So we reduced the amount of days that we had originally applied and were waitlisted for, and were given Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday half days from 8:30am to 11:30am. This means that I have 2 full days where I need to figure out how to entertain an extremely rambunctious toddler. 

Yesterday at least I sort of had a plan before the day started. I wanted to drop by a hardware store to get anti-fly stuff (we have a bad housefly problem at home), pick up second-hand maternity clothes that I had purchased off FB Marketplace, and return clothes to Target. I managed to accomplish this all yesterday, dropping by a HomeGoods store and a Whole Foods to boot, mainly because they were also in the same shopping mall lot as the Target.

Today however, I kind of dreaded, as I didn't have a plan. E has toddler gym at 10:30am, but that left a lot of other free time to fill. Plus it is also terribly hot (area heat advisory), so going for a walk or visiting a park/playground was completely out of the question. In the morning however, over breakfast/getting ready, E and I (well mainly me of course), had an impromptu video chat session with Jia. Then we went to the gym, and it turned out Open Gym (where the kids can have free run of the place) was scheduled from 11:30am to 12:30pm. So we hung around for Open Gym, then headed next door to eat a quick lunch at Jimmy John's. After that, on the way to the library, we stopped to get a Strawberry Milk Bubble Tea (tad too sweet). It was also our first time visiting the Thornhill branch of the library, and it was really nice and modern. We had to leave a little earlier than I wanted to however, as E was starting to get wild and run around like a lunatic. 

By the time we got home, it was about 1:50pm, and I felt bone tired. While E played, I cleaned up a little, and then we read some books. At 2:40pm, I finally put her down for her nap. Now I'm just sitting at the computer and typing this, feeling the weariness in my body, but also feeling satisfied that I've successfully entertained and occupied the both of us for a day. 

Tonight's dinner will be Dan Dan Noodles. I made that earlier in the week, so I have less work to do today, which is a nice relief. I can sit down and enjoy the majority of my break today without having to worry/feel guilty about outstanding chores like laundry.  

Tomorrow however, is a new day, and I have no idea what to do. A week ago we ended up at the zoo, and the week before that St. Charles. Tomorrow will also be really hot again, so outdoor things are out of the question. At least Jon will be around however, to help me watch E/come up with ideas.

First Official Day of Montessori

Today was E's first official day of Montessori! The impact of it didn't really hit me because E has been going for twice a week Summer Camp since she turned 2 back in late June, but today as I drove her to school I noticed the many kids and their parents waiting by the main road outside our subdivision. Then, as I drove on a little bit more, I saw the erstwhile yellow school bus rolling down the road in the opposite direction. I started to think about how I had never really seen this scene before (because before we were indoors/in bed when this all happened), and how it was my first time now experiencing this as a parent. I then realised that for some sad reason, I don't recall clearly how the first day of my student teaching in East Harlem/teaching in Singapore went, but presumably they went seamlessly enough for me to not remember very much. 

Anyway that is pretty much it for my 5 minute car musing, as I drove E to school. Drop off went off without a hitch, and there was no crying involved because E was at familiar with the school and setting, from her Summer Camp there. After I pick her up later we need to go to Sam's Club to get groceries and gas. 

Pretzel Sticks

Today while shopping at Target I was bending down to check out some clearance baby girl/toddler clothes when E decided it would be funny to throw pretzel sticks from her snack container at me. When I stood up to scold her, I discovered I still had pretzel sticks stuck in my hair.

And that is my anecdote for the day.

Bye Bye Saffron

 

On the 24th of July, Saffron passed away at the grand age of 19 years. Today, I picked up his ashes from the vet. It was in a white box, and placed nicely in a royal blue organza box with satin ribbon drawstrings. Even though it's been a few weeks since he's left us, I couldn't help but tear up and cry when I received the little box. It was so light and small, almost like how he had become in the last few months of his life. 

Overwhelmed by Covid, taking care of E, and morning sickness with #2, I feel like I had failed to give Saffron the attention and love that he deserved. The last time I had brought him to the vet was when we lived in New York City, and months even before E was born. This time when I had to bring him to the vet, I couldn't even go in with him for his check up because of Covid protocols, and so I waited in the car with Elizabeth while we had a 'curbside visit', and talked to the vet via phone. They ran bloodwork tests and weighed him, and the results were conclusive: he was weak and had bad kidney disease. In addition to that, Jon and I had observed how the last few months he was failing in his jumps, and walking up the stairs in a really stiff, arthritic manner. 

Even though Jon and I knew it was time to say goodbye, it was still a very sad few days for us till we had to bring Saffron for his final vet visit. We fed him tons of ham and liquid cat treats, gave him lots of pets and snuggles. E of course didn't understand what was going on. 

Saffron passed away peacefully on the 24th July with all 3 of us in the room. I was sobbing my heart out, while Jon was really sad, and E ran around looking for snacks. Then we drove off and went a particular route where Olive Boulevard (a major road) intersected with the I-270 (and interstate highway), and E asked where Saffron was, and we replied that he was gone. And something about where we were at the time when she asked the question and got her reply stuck with her - even now every time we pass that intersection E says, "Saffron is gone" to herself. 

The worst feeling was when we arrived home after picking lunch up that day. The house felt so empty and still, and there was no Saffron to greet us. No longer did we have to zealously close all the outside doors lest he dart out to explore. I no longer had to use cups with lids for the water I kept by my bedside, and food no longer had to be guarded against an opportunist. It's a very bittersweet feeling, knowing that there was no reason to do things and go out of our way because of Saffron. 

Saffron was a very good boy, and the best cat ever. He will be dearly missed.