good half of the year

when I was getting ready to resign over the even years being the tough ones, at the turnpoint of boys turning 6.5 and 2.5, things are unexpectedly turning to better. a turning turn of the turn point.

First Sasha started preschool without any crying or resistance, which was a major win and relief of my much anticipated anxiety. I was dreading the possibility that he was going too early considering his age, lack of potty training and incoherent language. So far so good and we hope it lasts. We also try to converse more which is met by ignoring or uttering his code word 'red' as an answer that should satisfy any intruding adult. A sad statement about our verbal connection with our second born.

Nico is in a happy stage in the winter quarter when friends are plentiful as he is gaining much confidence in video gaming and to our biggest surprise and joy, his playing piano. I credit the 'dude' Peter for the piano fun. That young man connected with Nico in a way that Nico considers playing music a worthwhile activity and even whines when the class is cancelled. The result is a pretty happy boy with only occasional morning whine. The martial art gig is also getting less stressful and more fun for him, although I have second thoughts about its military subtone and really stupid reward system. So, we get long dinner conversation and much sharing, a stark contrast to the discouraged ego due to the summer sports like soccer that he was not a fan. I consider the failures a good learning experience so no regretts there but it made our life a little more complicated by random rage and discontent.

the major sickness season is upon us and that is energy draining but to be expected. While Nico lies down and spends most time sleeping or quietly getting over his sickness, Sasha must finish building that train track in between the bouts of vomiting and regardless the dizziness from high fever and other physical misery. I wish we could harvest this energy but so far it just drains ours. We do kiss those flush cheeks and regress in bedtime routine by sleeping with the sick boy and in general comfort more.

of course, this could also be attributed to my psycho meds which will be tested in the days to come when I inadvertently forget to take.