Day 140: Rise and Shine (and soak up the summer)

 We've been back to real life, after a fashion, for almost a week now.  I had a training at work that required in-person attendance from 8-3 each day and I am telling you, I just don't know how I used to manage this "full time work" thing...  to fit in a run, and the drive to Solon, I had to get up at 5:45 and I am fairly exhausted this weekend from just 3 days of that.  I am going to be a world of hurt come the 17th.  

It is always a strange, liminal time for our family, early August.  It's extra strange because while I am in full "countdown mode," busy preparing myself mentally for the return, managing prep work at school alongside a desperate enjoyment of the last moment of vacation-- Nat and the kids still have almost a month of vacation to enjoy.  I am trying to not let my nerves ruin it for them... but both kids have settled into a bit of anxiety themselves, already, and I am afraid it may be a long 3 weeks as we wait to see what this school year feels like.  We have come to expect some acting out and worrying from our sweeties right before the start-- it is a tough switch, from summering so hard to the realities and schedules of the school year-- and this year I think we have to be ready for even more, with all the uncertainties before us. My kiddos do not like uncertainty.  They need to know what is coming and have life function "by the rules" to be at their best, so pandemic life is really not their thing.  I am trying so hard to put a positive spin on things and get them excited to re-start their studies and acheivements in a "new way" but I know they are picking up on my anxiety.  I hate all these unknowns just as much as they do. 

Sigh.  The only way out is through, so this weekend we are enjoying the spectacular weather AND back to school shopping.  Monday I'll go in to school and finish unpacking and setting up my new room.  We're going to try to get to the Asian Lantern Festival this week to give our time at home a sense of celebration and recreation.  We're going to go to the beach as often as we can, and try to visit a bunch of our favorite outdoor spots.  I'm going to work with each of the kids on finding a dedicated learning space for virtual school and getting it stocked and set up for success. Hopefully the kids can spend some outdoor time with their friends before we need to isolate when I go back to work.  Trying to keep them at least 50% as active as they were at Farley's because that always helps.  And I'm going to start each day with coffee on the porch because vacation is NOT over yet. 

A little bit more of Farley's...

Great Gully, north of the road, at sunset.

This idyllic moment brought to you by the generous loan of bikes from our neighbors.

This boy, with that tan and that hair!

This cat, who just wants to be outside with us...

This huge moon rising over Farley's....

One more visit to Great Gully, with the whole crew this time.

One more waterski day, this time with two boats for better swimming and spectating.

One last sunset, silver-glow and clouds, the feeling of vacation's end made visible.

One last trip to Pete's.

And... home!  It was amazing to be away, but it is pretty good to be back, too.  We've been spending time with our friends and Gram as often as we can, making up for lost time and storing up the socialization before school resumes and we've got to be more separate. 

But for now!  We love our people.

A hike at Forest Hills and a cookout at our place with M and W and the girls. 

Mornings on the porch.

The cat enjoyed watching Lion King.

Beach trip (and a campfire evening) with friends.

Dinners on the patio.

Edgewater in August is a tropical paradise.

The dog beach never disappoints.  There was plenty of space, but plenty of action.  Boats in the cove, music blasting, a guy playing his guitar under an umbrella with a tiny campfire, an impromptu dance club under the beach house.  Cleveland in all its diversity, out soaking up the summer night with joy.  It was pretty intense to be around so many people-- and such a variety of people!-- after being in our Farley's bubble for so long. Intense, but lovely.  (and never fear, we were masked and kept our distance)

A lovely adventure day to Punderson Park and Nelson's ledges.

It was super hot and still, but we didn't let a little heat get in the way of sand play and archery and climbing a lot of rocks. 

This place is just so magical.  We always have a wonderful time here, even when we are hot and tired and hungry... (in retrospect perhaps *starting* our climbing at 5pm was not wise?)

We decided to stop at this amazing road side restaurant for dinner- where we waited a good 45 minutes (!) for our food.  Suprising, right?  Apparently one calls in one's order ahead here, as evidenced by the line of people who arrived, then left with food, as we waited.  Luckily, the food was excellend once it arrived, and as we waited we got to soak up the culture of the Burton area-- lots Amish families in the crowd, waiting for their burgers.  Made me wish I was a photographer, the blue shirts and straw hats against the red-walled building, ice cream cones in hand.  My phone wouldn't do it justice, and I felt hesitant to make a spectacle of these nice people by taking pictures. 

I did capture this moment, though- juxatposition of cultures, anyone?

Sunday-- hot again.  Ivy and I spent the morning with Gram, watching church together then some shoe shopping.

A quick stop to enjoy the green space at the Art Musuem.  Too hot to stay long. And a little too nostalgic, too.  I still love this place, even if only from the outside right now.

Ivy's newfound obsession with youtube videos has led to her requesting new hair styles.  Silver linings!  Who knew it would take vapid videos to convince my daughter to do her hair?

A picture perfect sunset swim at Euclid Beach to cap the weekend.  The beach was hopping, and full of joy. The water was like silk.  The sunset was red and purple and divine.  Winter made a new friend and the kids played together peacefully for a surprisingly long time.  

Bottle this moment up, for sure.