2 and 1.

Well these posts did not turn out how I had envisioned, in these final moments of single-digit childhood, stupid ineffective website!  We are on the eve of your birthday, GPK, and tomorrow you'll be 10 years old. I just blew out all my hot air in 10 balloons (nearly giving myself a heart attack as I blew one up a little bit too big and it popped like a shot going off in the night.  Never doing THAT again.)

Anyway, here we are. Presents are wrapped. Cake is waiting. A quarantine birthday during a global pandemic is not how I envisioned your 10th birthday to be like.  But we'll get through it, like we do all things---together.  

I love you, Garrett P. Keegan.  You made me a mother. You taught me the stunning ability to love something more than I ever thought possible.  I've spent a decade watching you grow, learn, question, laugh, cry, yell, play, create...and so much more.  There are so many nuances to you.

We are so proud of you and we LOVE you so very much.  

Happy 10th Birthday, our sweet boy. 
loving you to the moon and back,
Momma 💟

4 & 3.

True to form, technology never works when you need it to. Having some technical difficulties in downloading some old pics from snapfish so here's just a snippet of 2013..and now we're down to just three more days til double digits. 

5.

Five more days! 

Birthdaypalooza is upon us since Dad's birthday is tomorrow...then the countdown will really be on for yours. Today the sun finally decided to shine, warmer temps graced us for a few hours, but the wind. Man, the wind won't let up. In looking back at pictures from 2012-2013, I remembered how we celebrated your 3rd birthday on June 1st that year because May was such a washout as it allllways is....and it was literally 90 degrees that day.  Honestly, I can't wait for those days to come. 

So here we are...two going on three.

6.

Six more days...a look back at some favorite moments from 2011-2012.

7.

...more days until you turn double digits. 10 years old.  Where has the time gone?  I started this in 2011...so while it hasn't quite been 10 years...close enough, right? And sure we have a gap year or two, but we've been busy!  Excuses I know. Let's get back to the point.

You're turning 10.  Ten. 1-0. This is the age I told myself I'd tell you about this blog...because I felt you'd be old enough to read it, and 10 is such a milestone.  What a ride it's been.  

We find ourselves in an unprecedented time in history right now...one I've not ever seen in my lifetime, and one that I'm sorry you are having to witness in your young one.  You've been out of school since the middle of March because of the pandemic known as COVID-19 or the coronavirus. We've been navigating the world of remote learning for you and Madeleine, and for me, balancing the world of all of a sudden becoming a math/science/reading/writing/all the things teacher while trying to work and remain engaged from home. It's hard.  Some days are really hard.  But we get through them. Getting outside helps.  Going for walks with the dog, feeling the sunshine (when it's out!), and just breathing air outside of the four walls of home. Sometimes I make you run laps around the house, just to burn some energy. But also, I just need that 20 seconds or so of pure silence and alone time.  Plus it's fun to watch you and Mads compete. 

Madeleine celebrated her 5th birthday in "quarantine status", and so will you, my friend.  But we'll make the most of it.  We have ten years to reflect on.  I'm so very proud of you...of the young man you're growing into. You're an amazing big brother to Madeleine, who adores you and the very air you breathe.  We have so many laughs, and while the 9 year old attitude can rear its head now and again, there are times that I'm reminded that you're still just little.  Your world has been uprooted from its normal and we are struggling every day to create new normal.

Seven more days.  
Here's a tiny look back from year one:

Summer is here. Summer of 2018 that is.

**This was my last post from the end of summer 2018.  Going to try to catch up...until then...here's a look at the past. 

So much to catch up on, so let's start with the kick off of summer vacation first! 

School ended in late June and before we knew it, the week of the 4th was upon us.  Auntie Tanya was up taking a sailing class before visiting us for the weekend.  It was stifling hot, highest humidity, and blazing sunshine each day.  We sought somewhere to cool off. First stop, Deering Oaks park and the community wading area...

Then it was onto Portland Headlight for lunch with a view...

 

Then it was Reid State Park...where the waves are insane and the views pretty lovely.

Monday the heat continued and we were off to NH...I think I say this a lot, but even though I hate leaving Maine in the prime of summer, we just love the White Mountains and all it has to offer. First stop, Storyland.

 Then there was that time when Mommy spent an hour trying to get Maddy to get to bed in the hotel room...so many shenanigans. 

On our way to Diana's Bath...

An evening spent at the gorgeous Mt. Washington Hotel...

Next hot day...spent at Echo Lake...

Two years later, I'm finishing this post...so much more to say...