First day of school in 2020... the Oliver edition

Today was Oliver's first day of school. Grade 5... wow! Nicka starts tomorrow and Alexander goes back by the end of the week. Honestly, I am still caught off guard with this whole return to school. Everything seems rushed... heck, I usually have everything labelled and organized a few days before their return (what can I say? I am a school supply geek). I found myself rushing last night to put Oliver's name on all his school supplies. No new shoes. A kind of wrinkly t-shirt. Just remembered to get him to wash his hair last night. It is, however, not only me being unorganized... it is the whole situation. Don't get me wrong... I am not blaming his school or teachers. Far from it... they get extra kudos from me. By rushed, I mean that we just literally went from shut everything down-pandemic-stay home-self isolate-how many people died today-how many people caught coronavirus today-daily press meetings to a sudden opening of everything. It seems rushed. Everything seems too rushed. This summer just sped by without any sort of transition or easing in process. Maybe it is just me? Not too sure. Before leaving home this morning, he chose his mask for the day (with a back up carefully packed) and I reminded him about the extra hand sanitizer in his bag. Andreas reminded him about keeping distance and to wash his hands regularly. Welcome to 2020.

Anyway, was Oliver happy to go back? His words say no but his face upon seeing his friends this morning said otherwise. 

Where did the summer go?

All of a sudden, I am back at work. What the heck happened to summer? Summer, I had such hopes for you! I thought that you would bring something positive to 2020. I thought that you would be there for me.... What happened? Last night, I found myself watching geese flying... and probably in the wrong direction. I am getting emails from the boys' schools. The pick up date for school supplies is next week. I am preparing my online courses for fall 2020. Where are you going, summer? I still need you!

My week plans have now been modified to include: more sitting in the sun, putting a bottle of rosé on ice and enjoying more evening walks. I need to absorb as much vitamin D as I can, while I can.

Summer, so far your visit has been pretty quick. Think you can drag it out a while longer? Much appreciated xox

Another 10 random facts

1) I am coming to terms with being the kids' social life scheduler... even during pandemic times, their agendas are more full than mine ;)

2) One more thing to include in "strange things to happen in 2020": our garden is producing the smallest tomatoes but the largest zucchini that I have ever seen.

3) Our neighbourhood is being overrun by crabgrass. Another plague...

4) I ordered the brightest orange slides ever and I love them.

5) I have come to the conclusion that I will make a good retired person.

6) I honestly gave up on mascara.

7) I have a re-occurring dream where I have to run to catch the train, despite the fact that I haven't been on a train since March 12... the day I bought a month pass and the day before the universities shut down #themostexpensivetriphome

8) Our neighbourhood is also overrun by Japanese Beetles. Another plague...

9) Now that I have to look up at 2 out of my 3 sons, it amazes me that I actually gave birth to them.

10) I am hoping that my favourite coffee shop downtown will still be there when I have to go back into work again.