It has been cold and snowy lately and that in itself is a reason to smile for me. I love the winter and the way it's an excuse to stay home and relax but some days I do miss the bright blue sky. We have begun to get a bit busier lately and the kids have given us many reasons to smile.
Dylan went sledding down Pack Monadnock with some of his closest friends. It was great to see him with his boys again. Dylan is remote learning this quarter and most of his friends are remote as well. They have not been together, inside a building, in a year but they have managed to come up with some safe outdoor alternatives so that they can still see each other and it fills my heart with joy. Hearing them laugh and talk is like medicine to my heart, times will get easier and we will get through this. Dylan went remote at the beginning of February and is doing good with remote learning. He needed a break from the classroom and really was missing having his close friends in school. He plans to go back to in-person learning at the start of fourth-quarter which means he only has a few weeks left. He is all registered for high school classes and is really excited to take a cooking class next year! Dylan loves playing games and cooking and is extremely mature for his age and the back to back measurement to see who is tallest between him and Nate is nearly a daily event. He almost....but not quite...has Nate beat.
Aliya participated in her school's 90s day. I thought she looked amazing and was so happy to see her joining in on the fun. She is working on saving up money and has been working extra chores to do so. She is trying to earn money to start a candle business with her friend Madeline. Aliya is really into solving any type of mystery or puzzle and she loves to watch crime drama shows. She is our own super sleuth which we should have seen coming given her amazing ability to always win at "Guess Who" since the age of 3! Her smile is changing every day and I think she looks fantastic in braces, it is the perfect teen look for her! She gets out her pallet expander at her next orthodontist appointment so she is very excited about that. Aliya uses the word "FANTASTIC" to describe anything that she is happy about and it warms my heart each time she does. Aliya loves to tickle and poke at Nate and the more sleepy Aliya is, the more she laughs. While Aliya has never been big into media of any kind, lately, she has been enjoying playing Fortnite with her friend Mia and cousin Hayden.
There is nothing much for changes with Nate and me. We are still working to adjust to Nate's retail schedule but we are getting there and are so incredibly thankful that he has a job once again. The mall is slow, but not too slow, which is a feeling like holding your breath underwater. I am not sure if I am about to rise to the service and get a huge gulp of air or sink to the bottom. Retail is in a scary place right now but we are trying to be thankful every day and hold on for the ride. On days off Nate likes to listen to music or read and I read or knit and we are very content with these slow days. I think we would make a wonderful retired couple! HaHa!
