First of all, can we please all agree that it’s actually wonderful that I get so many pictures of Katya? Yes, they are selfies, all sorts of selfies, but I love them. As I am writing this, I am realizing that in just a few months, the only pictures I will really get of Katya are the ones she would be willing to send me. So I’ll take all I can right now.
“I have to clean the kids’ bathroom again?"
“Can I go to Downtown Cheapskate for the third time this week, please? I have nothing to wear"
Knock-knock....“I am changing!!!!!!!”
"I get to drive Mark to tennis? YES!"
The good news is that somehow we have kept up with our family tradition of Sunday walks all through these crazy months (over a year now!). I love them! The kids pretend to NOT like them. Yeah...right. They all miss them when we skip them.
Robert and I still go out on dates, although they are a little bit too random right now. We need to get a better schedule for those especially with such a vigorous schedule for tournaments (and future regattas).
Early October, I was finally able to get together with my Ukrainian friend Natalia to celebrate my birthday. She has the best fun celebrations for me ad really knows how to host.
Mark is diving into tennis like never before. He is loving his half Dunlop sponsorship and is working hard on his game. He has trainings four times a week and either a tournament or some practice sets on weekends. Sunday is always a rest day unless it’s a tournament.
This year is the first year that Mark was able to participate in a school band. He is actually switching to percussion in Jan but he had to pick another instrument to play in the meantime. So, naturally, he had to pick trumpet as we had an ancient trumpet lying around. He absolutely hates playing it but is really-really good! There is a very funny story connected with when we presented him a case thinking it was Robert’s trumpet and when he opened it, it turned out it was a bugle from 70 years ago, all beat up. Mark had these big eyes and couldn’t believe that we would have him play something like that in middle school!😆😂
Mark is also trying to improve his game realizing he needs to dedicate more time to his speed and strength workouts. We visited a couple of places--one of them had a trial session in Apex. But he didn’t stay with them as the times/prices were not convenient.
We also saw a tennis specialist physio at Smart Athletes, his name is Jeff Vajay. It was cool to learn a few mobility exercises and get a recommendation for a shoe insert for Mark. He spends a ton of time on his feet.
Back to Katya. This gorgeous girl has been playing princesses even with social distancing and face shield rules. It’s been challenging but she has managed to still be getting some gigs being a Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Anna or Aurora.
Mark was back to his normal routine in October when French Open was on TV. We all love watching tennis now and somehow Mark manages to do it while “in school”, plus eating pounds of mandarine oranges at a time.
Playing games hasn’t been happening as much lately as you would think. The dynamics has changed significantly when the big kids got busier with their lives, schools and virtual friends.
Oh yes, one of Mark’s virtual school days. That is one of the many spots where he sits while doing school. Notice the same Dunlop sweatshirt...and Robert’s Hawaiian shirt for a dress up day.
Mark’s Instagram page is blossoming and is actively increasing in the number of followers. Sometimes it’s tiring to be active on it, and he doesn’t spend much time with it, but I do try to help out. Katya helps a lot with video editing and posting. It’s been fun!
And sometimes Katya takes Mark to do serves at our local tennis court. And then she makes up funny commentaries and then she posts them and people love them!
Any pictures of Alex? ANYTHING? Nope...nothing....this is a bit crazy and embarrassing and sad but he just doesn’t take pictures and doesn’t like me taking pictures of him. I have got to be better at that!
Back to Katya, wearing her favorite yellow sweater. She switched her twin bed for a queen one so she could enjoy luxurious living till August when she leaves for college. Still not following one rule I taught her--not to put her backpack/suitcase on her bed...argh.
Katya had a bit of fun dressing up celebrating her friend’s Kyla’s birthday. Any sort of get together has become a big deal nowadays.
Oh yes! A big surprise of the month was for Mark to be recognized as the Student of the Month for his Citizenship! I am not sure how it’s possible to pull off via virtual school, but he did it!
Lastly, Katya convinced Robert to take her and Alex on a road trip to DC to see her friend Ben. So they drove up on Friday and came back on Saturday and saw a bunch of friends while there, like the Williamsons and the Broughs and the Kents! Ben was a friend she met at EFY a year and a half ago and they were texting friends for a while. Ben had driven once to NC to visit Katya for a day, and they have a great time together, as FRIENDS.
I am still waiting for more pictures of Alex....but to no avail. That’s my new goal--get more pictures of Alex. He IS doing great! Yes, he is hating virtual school but is thriving and getting fantastic grades. He manages to hang out with a few of his friends at a time and can’t wait till he gets to go back to school in person. He is thinking of quitting Jordan Lake Rowing Crew and join a massively competitive Triangle Rowing Crew. He is still a Teacher’s Quorum President till he becomes a Priest in Jan. Fun times!
Lyana.
No comments:
Post a Comment