Brandon, Happy Birthday.

He has a tall head, so every year I give him hats for him to try. The 2 I had today he could not wear. I have 2 more to try.

I made a series of mistakes today. I knew cramming 2 birthdays into one day would be hard for our crew. Steve’s back is compromised and he does what he can (dishes!). But I do have to do most of the carrying of Lemon around in strange places where the furniture or he is breakable.

Shan’s boy Mateo turned 4 today. She had a party at the pool in her neighborhood. We were so late! It is 40 minutes away and I had to pack for 2 events, plus nausea and temdoar exhaustion, so it was a bit of a hurdle just to get in the car.

We had a good time, but did overdo it. The kids were exhausted and could not nap. Steve went first over to the lap pool, but his back was not well. He sent me over, chased after the kids and I swam for the 1st time in a year. I did laps for the first time in 3 years.

In the swim, there was a 50ish woman named Barbara. We were about the same pace. I only did about 800 yards, but I was ready to quit earlier when Barbara and I started chatting. We decided to force ourselves to do one last 50 and she chased me. Yes, we were slow, but we were back in the pool. She is a good lap swimmer at heart. As I, slow and steady. This was her 2nd time in, after 3 years out.

The overtired swimmers met up with the family at mom’s house in the afternoon. I owed Steve and Lemon was into me, so I held him and walked around with him quite a bit. Tonight, I was frustrated with how tired and icky I feel. My hip has been hurting from carrying Lemon around, my foot hurts, I have not been eating well.

Then Steve held me and reminded me, “You swam.” And I have a small smile with the icky stomach. I swam.