Tuesday is game night, and for the record, Christina is a sore loser. Draw 20 is the Uno No Mercy death knell and she fell into it. That nearly ended the game for everyone. But… Robin and I made it to the last two in the game and we went back and forth for half an hour before I finally defeated her. I think she was glad to lose, honestly, because that meant she could have her phone again. For a few minutes, anyway.
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February 3
Robin is dealing with the heart-wrenching reality of low self esteem paired with other insecure teenagers pressing on it. I wish I could insert some self confidence in her, but it has to come from her. One thing I have had to learn over and over as a mom is that I can’t fix everything. Sometimes the most helpful thing I can do is sit with her in silence while she works things out for herself. The good news is that it does seem to help in its own slow but meaningful way. If nothing else, she should always know that I am in her corner no matter what. No one could love her more.
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February 2
The competition didn’t end the way we’d hoped after such a successful first day. This season will come down to teamwork, grit, and the will to win. Some people on the team have a lot to learn that is not just how to do the routine, and that may cost them the season. Everything in life is a life lesson. At 13, we’re known to resist those lessons. Ok, at 45 we’re known to resist them too. It happens to the best of us. Progress, then perfection.
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February 1
Robin’s team did great at today’s cheer competition! They came a long way, even in the last two weeks. We have to keep that energy going into day two! Also, next time, must remember to take off the mascara before going swimming.
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January 31
Time for another cheer competition! This weekend we’re in Orlando. I spent the extra $30 to stay at a hotel with a “balcony” overlooking the pool. The balcony fits the three of us standing up side by side. I’m thrilled we don’t have to wake up at 4:45am. Others are not so lucky.
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January 30
I went from 60 to zero in a matter of minutes today. Super energetic, and then I sat on the couch and couldn’t keep my eyes open. It’s 9:38pm and I’m throwing in the towel. So many days of rote routine this month. Seems to be all I can handle right now.
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January 29
I forgot to give Billy the crock pot recipe this morning, so this evening we ended up with nothing to eat. Nothing like 9:30pm spaghetti and meat sauce. No wonder I don’t go to bed until after 11.
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January 28
Tuesday is like the free square in the middle of a Bingo board. Today we used it to buy new cheer shoes, make lemon ricotta pancakes, and watch Cars. And Robin read Harry Potter for the fourth time.
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January 27
Another Monday in the books. I got some new clothes today, which is always fun, and Robin had a good cheer practice. She did a bunch of back walkover back handsprings on the floor for the first time ever tonight and I worked really, really hard not to make a big deal out of it. Girl has no interest in believing in herself. I’ll just sit quietly by until she comes around. And now it’s late and I need to sleep.
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January 26
Our gardens are looking dismal. The latest freeze seems to have done a number on them. I don’t know what will come back, but we’ll trim it down and see what happens. This milkweed seems to be doing ok, anyway. Come, butterflies!
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January 25
Christina had a dance showcase tonight, so we went out to dinner afterwards. We decided to do something a little fancier than we usually do, so booked a 7:30 reservation. We did not get served until 9:15. I think I would have been more ok with that if I hadn’t had a splitting headache and been absolutely starving since all I ate all day was some pizza rolls. The management apologized and took 25% off of everyone’s checks, plus free dessert. Not sure what caused the backup, but we’ve eaten there before and never encountered this, plus they made good on it, so we’d still go back. Amazing how my headache went away pretty much immediately after I got some food in my stomach. I was also amazed at how patient everyone at our table was. The kids never stopped smiling. There were worm wars (I still don’t get how to play that one) and tile matching on Billy’s phone, and some indoor planet-gazing using the night sky app. Could definitely have been worse.
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January 24
I bought these jeans in New Orleans, and I swear they fit comfortably four days ago. Today they are tight. I am trying not to lose my mind over it.
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January 23
Finished the first sock in Robin’s pair of socks tonight. She picked out the pattern and yarn and it’s really pretty and super comfortable. I was concerned they’d be too big, but this one fits like a glove. I hope Robin likes it. (She went to bed angry because we told her she couldn’t have veggie straws until she finished her vegetables from dinner. She is 13, but apparently still 3 when it comes to vegetables.)
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January 22
The kids had a “snow” day today. In the end there was very little ice or any visible evidence of a winter storm, but it absolutely was cold. Only just barely got above freezing all day. Everything was closed or cancelled except Christina’s dance classes, so I did leave the house at least once. Kinda sad we didn’t see snow in the end.
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January 21
We are having our first winter storm since we moved to Jacksonville 14 years ago. They are predicting sleet and ice overnight. It’s kind of exciting. It’s not so bad when it only happens once every 15 years.
Year in Photos 