Highlights from the past few days

It’s Thursday night, which marks the end of our three-nights-without-kids. It has been a lovely little stint in which we really did get to unwind and enjoy ourselves. I think having last week to decompress from the first half of summer allowed me to really take advantage of the three day kid-break we got this week. I am really thankful for that.

Some highlights from the past four days…

Monday I hung out in my classroom while my son was at camp. All the furniture had been moved to deep clean the floors, but I was able to measure some wall space and order some stuff I’ll need to revamp my classroom library in the fall. I’m excited for how it’s going to look.

My husband and I randomly watched Dazed and Confused on Monday night, on a whim, while he was getting work done. I haven’t seen that movie in ages and it was just what I needed to turn my brain off at the beginning of the week (and after teaching my monthly Basics class at the dojo, which always stresses me out).

Tuesday, after taking my son to camp and dropping his stuff of at my parents’ house, I went for my first interval run using the Peloton app. It was already quite warm at 10am (80*, which I know is nothing to most people but is hot for me – how do Jenny and SHU run during the Florida summer!?), but I still managed to complete a 30 minute run with some pretty fast final intervals. It was the first time I tried a run on the Peloton app and I really liked it. I probably won’t do one every time I run, but I will try to do them regularly.

Tuesday evening I met my husband at work and we walked to a stellar drinks spot before dinner. The only problem that night was that I ate so much I felt truly uncomfortable on the walk home.

Wednesday I did a killer 45 minute full body strength class (Jess Sims – I love her!), and I had the wherewithal to use lighter weights for the lower body work, so I didn’t blow out my quads like last week (I could barely walk for three days and they were sore for over a week! So unnecessary!) I really like the 45 minute strength classes – I always feel proud of myself when they are done.

Wednesday night I met my friends for dinner and drinks to celebrate my birthday. The weather was gorgeous (very rare in our neighborhood in July) so we walked to the restaurant, which was lovely. The best part was that my friends went in (with my husband) on a one day ticket to Outside Lands so I can see Chappell Roan with my daughter and husband. The tickets are expensive, so I wasn’t sure I should go. I really appreciate them getting me a ticket. It was very sweet, and I’m so excited that I can go.

My husband came for the end of drinks and then we walked home together. At home we watched an amazing Polish movie (Sweat) about a young fitness influencer dealing with the reality of living online for her fans. It was stellar. Oh and we ate furikake popcorn (my favorite!)

Thursday my husband took off work so we could hang out. We stayed in bed for hours and it was divine. When we finally got up, we did some packing and cleaning up. I worked out quickly (30 minute intervals and arms with Tunde) and then we walked into the Mission for a late lunch at a new (to us) Mexican spot, which was very good. Then we walked to the Alamo Drafthouse to see the first showing of Deadpool & Wolverine. We laughed our asses off – it was a really good time. Super fun movie; I highly recommend.

Over the past few days I’ve done quite a bit of picking up around the house. I even cleaned the upstairs shower! And I’ve been packing. I got all the snorkel gear from the shed and pulled down the big piece of luggage we pack it in. I realized my son’s snorkel set was too small, so I ordered myself a new set, so he can use his sister’s and she can use mine. I realized my daughter doesn’t really need to wear a life vest anymore so I pulled that out of the luggage, which made space for a blow-up bed for our son (both kids thrash about when they sleep, so we think they’ll sleep better in separate beds). I got that piece of luggage all packed up and ready to go early, so I could focus on clothes.

My husband and I are now packed. The kids aren’t, because they aren’t home and most of the clothes they will be taking are with them. Friday (technically today now, because it’s 12:08am!) I will be driving to pick up my daughter (and her friends) from camp, bringing her home, starting her laundry, and then heading down to pick up my son from camp. I’ll probably be in the car for 4-5 hours tomorrow, which is not ideal, but doable. When I get home I need to get the laundry done so I can pack the kids up. Our flight is at 7am on Saturday (why?!) so we need to be READY to leave when we fall asleep Friday night.

I can’t wait to hear about my kids’ weeks, especially my daughter’s. She hasn’t had her phone so we haven’t heard a word from her since Sunday. I can’t wait to hear all about her time away, and to tell her about stuff she missed (she is a HUGE Charli XCX fan and is going to LOVE the “Kamala is brat” tweet). I’m also looking forward to seeing my son, who I’ve talked to briefly this week (he doesn’t love to talk on the phone or via FaceTime) and to hear how his camp went.

Tomorrow is going to be very chaotic, but I’m ready for what I hope will be a relaxing week in Maui. This year a good friend is coming for the first time (he’s the person who introduced my me and my husband), and I’m excited to do all our favorite things with him and his fiancee. It will make it a really fun trip. I even rented an SUV so we can all drive together when they do stuff with us!

It’s crazy to think that when we get back, summer is basically over. I’m trying not to think about that too much, and instead am focusing on Hawaii and what a great opportunity it will be for my family to spend quality time together in a place we love. I really do think we’ll have a great time, and I know how lucky we are to get to go.

This past week was really nice in that I got to connect with my husband for the first time this summer. Things have been so busy and he’s been working long hours when we’re not traveling, to make up for the days he’s away. He and I have barely seen each other it feels like, so this past week was absolutely what we needed to reconnect. I’m excited, and very grateful, to bring our renewed energy with us to Hawaii.