May flowers are blooming

Even though I am kinda half-arsing everything over here with so much going on...I think it's going pretty well for us. At least, that's what I need to keep reminding myself, as I don't like not being on top of everything.

• Rich and Ryan got their mediocre Boys Day gifts and were mediocre-pleased about getting them! A real success! Rich got a giant wedge pillow from Costco that I now want, with a case of iced coffee; Ryan got 8 pairs of Playboy bunny socks that I had to ship in from Australia since PacSun cancelled my order, and a case of Izze. Normally I try to schedule them an activity, but this month/year...we have too much else going on.

• Ry has had a couple of taiko performance over the last few weeks that were so fun to watch. I love so many things about this group- the creativity, the physical activity, the mentoring (hard work, discipline), but most of all...the friendships...both kids and parents! Such an inspiring group of people that motivate me to be a better person.

• I had a Mothers Day spent in isolation, due to a positive exposure at work on a Friday...but the boys still showered me with all the usual things I enjoy- flowers, lemon peel gummies, Bath & Bodyworks tropically-inspired candles (my mom also gave me tiered box set of Big Island Candies Hawaiian goodies, the gold standard of snacking here). I had time to read a bit of my library books and rest...not the worst thing in the world. I did leave my bedroom here and there in an N-95 to get some chores done, but for the most part, I spent four full days away from everyone. Thankfully, I miraculously dodged the COVID bullet another time...very grateful!

• We booked a room at a nearby hotel with a fun pool/slide for Ryan to just chill with his two BFFs. It's what he wanted in lieu of a party. My dear friend who works there was also able to help get us a few unexpected upgrades that we appreciate as well. However, one fell ill that morning of check in, and other had a tummy ache... so the 'swimming with three kids' became became 'chilling out with two kids.' Although it wasn't what we'd planned for or hoped...he still had a great day of fun with his friend! And 3 of his 4 cousins came to say hi and swim as well, so a nice bonus!

• Grad party planning is going well - a little nervous with the recent spike in cases, but doing our best to stay distanced, safe and small! Very excited for my nephew, who had a heckuva a senior year- four academic awards, a season of playing baseball, soccer and cross country, his third year of ROTC...we are thrilled he's chosen a school on Oahu for their ROTC program, so we will see him on more breaks than if we went further. I've spend about 5 nights working on a slide show of a lookback on his life for his grad party, so I hope he likes it!