Practice Makes Progress

This is a picture I took yesterday evening. Peter, needing to make reparations for a piano related offence, was given the assignment to learn to play two hymns well enough for us to sing with. This required many hours of work on his part. Yesterday, before bedtime, we gathered in the library and sang along while he played. It made my heart happy to see him work so hard and to hear him play so beautifully. Was it perfect? No, but it was progress, and that's what counts.

My Own Barbershop

I cut my hair for the third time since the pandemic started. These continue to be the best haircuts I've had. That's not meant to be a boastful statement, simply an illustration of my surprise that it's working so well.

Where Do You See Yourself in Ten Years?

Me: Sophie, what are you doing?

Sophie: I'm practicing my teenager poses!

Playdoh is Magical

 

My Dwarf Name Is Sleepy

Vaccine update: I had a very sore arm on Tuesday night. Like, it was so sore that when I reached over to pick the remote up off the couch next to me, I didn't want to use my left arm. It got sorer as the evening went on and when I went to bed I didn't want to lift my arm at all. I was careful to sleep on my back or right side. But by the time I woke up on Wednesday, my arm was feeling much better. And when I hit the 24 hour mark it was nearly back to normal.

I also felt sleepy. I wasn't any more tired than usual, just extra sleepy. It turns out I can push through tired pretty easily, but I have a harder time ignoring sleepy. I napped on Wednesday morning while Topher sat next to me on the couch and enjoyed some bonus Mickey Mouse Clubhouse time. I napped again this afternoon. As I'm writing this I feel sleepy again. Granted, it's 10:34 at night, but this is generally when I'm most awake.

My response has been quite mild. On the one hand, I'm thankful to not be out of commission. On the other hand, I've heard that strong immune responses mean the vaccine is working. I assume it worked, even without a strong reaction.

Not Too Little

Last night Bryan asked Topher to say family prayers. Topher is usually happy to pray, but this time he only got a few words into the prayer before he stopped. Bryan prompted Topher to continue and Topher sadly responded, "I can't! I'm too little." His l sounds still sound like w sounds.

He did finish the prayer while the rest of us concealed our amused smiles.

Vaccination Day!

My left arm is pretty sore. It's not painful, but I am trying to avoid lifting my arm unless necessary. I'm sleepy, but not really any more tired than my usual fatigue. My brain feels a little fuzzy, but I've still been functional. Why am I feeling a little off?

Today I received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

I made the appointment a week and a half ago. It was the first opportunity I had to sign-up for a slot. As the day came closer and closer I felt a mixture of excited anticipation and nervous anxiety. 

My vaccine location was at an event center connected to a mall. That means I was inside a mall today. I haven't been inside a mall in over a year. I haven't been inside any store in over a year. One of the oddest things about today was that there were other people there. I haven't been around people other than my family for so long it felt bizarre.

I feel extremely thankful that I got the first dose today. 

Mom! Make Us Burritos!

 

One With the World

Cooper has been spending a lot of his time writing poetry. Much of that time should have been dedicated to school, but I am glad that his distraction is connected to developing a talent. Though I'd also really like him to stay on task...

He sent me a few of his poems yesterday, along with his permission to post them here. I plan on sharing more over the next few weeks.

I Am One With The World

By Cooper

I first feel free by dawn,

And the sun up above

Is so bright,

Like stars in the sky.

It’s beams fly

And the clouds 

Float by.

And my burdens

Are lightened.

And the sand bend

‘Round the lake

Glistens in the light.

It’s minerals

Shattered,

But still united.

And I know

In my heart

That the land

Around me

Is a great part

Of the world

And the works

That fill me with joy.

And the meadows

With flowers

Are my place to go.

And then,

In the Winter,

There is snow

On the ground.

And I feel

It’s cold touch.

Like a burn,

Bruise,

Brush

Of white

That is so bright.

And the beauty

Shines through

All around

In the wonderland

I call home.

There is peace,

There is hope,

There is beauty,

All around me.

And then

I see

That I am meant

To be

One

With the world.

All the Phoebes

Phoebe has been having more fun with photo editing. She sent me this picture a few days ago. My response? 

"You're a wizard!"