I have decided to write a weekly diary of our time through the Coronavirus pandemic. To keep for the future. It’s such an unprecedented time and full of so many mixed feelings and events we have never encountered before it is hard to process it all.
22nd May
It was Aria’s birthday yesterday. It of course wasn’t the same but I think we gave her a really nice day none the less. We played lots of traditional party games. Pass the parcel, musical statues, pin the horn on the unicorn, as well as a treasure hunt and video calls with grandparents. The cake was a disaster (we won’t mention that), but she had her favourite food, wore a party dress and generally made a fuss out of.
The lows came from my son, who has suspected autism. He’s started really struggling to sleep (worse than normal) this week and we have had some extremes of behaviour too. I think we’ve tackled it now, teaching him some tools and I have also written him a social story. But it has been exhausting, emotionally draining and hard work. Being in our homes so much is definitely taking it’s toll.
23rd May
Today I went out the garden centre, now that they are allowed to open. I had to queue about 20 minutes to go in. Everyone entering had to take a trolley whether they needed it or not as this was the way they were managing the amount of people in-store at one time. I had to wear a mask which is horrible, but necessary. It was nice to be out though and doing something normal. I got some nice bits for operation garden, and came home and planted them with the children. People are really not great at adhering to the 2m distance though which is frustrating.
24th May
Today has been a turbulent day for the world of politics. To say I am incensed is probably an understatement and I don’t think I have ever seen Twitter so angry. The actions of Dominic Cummings and Boris defending him is reprehensible when he has flouted the law in regards to lockdown. Millions of people across the country have stuck to the rules, endured hardship, not been able to be with their loved ones even when they are dying, I for one haven’t seen my family since February. And yet Dominic Cummings have been able to flaunt the law and get away with it. Despite other government ministers who did the same being forced to resign.
Then to distract attention away from this matter, Boris declared schools would definitely be open from 1st June. Our school has since emailed and said they cannot open until the 8th June and at the moment it will be nursery and reception only. With Y1 and Y6 to be decided at a later date. I mentioned last week that are not planning to send Aria in anyway. But I think this is just indicative of how difficult this is for schools and how badly planned and rushed this all is.
25th May
Today is a bank holiday, but my husband is working (he’s got next Monday off instead), so we’re pretty much treating it like a normal day. The thing that is making me sad is that we should be on our way to Center Parcs. I know thousands of people around the world are in the same position, missing holidays, family and all of the lovely things we normally do. I should have remembered to delete it from my calendar, I think that would have helped.
On a positive note, this week is half term, so I don’t have to stress so much about homeschooling. The children are currently doing junk modelling and the sun is shining so I am sure there will be lots of playing in the garden. Thursday is my birthday and we have a doorstep photoshoot booked and afternoon tea delivery. Which I am looking forward to.
I’ve loved catching up on blogs during lockdown and reading about other’s experiences. I ventured to the garden centre last week too. It felt weird as it’s always been a go-to place for me when I just want an hour on my own. It’s a lovely one in Cardiff and I get to mooch about, look at plants, browse books and homewares, then have a nice afternoon tea. This time it was just a mad dash with a trolley to buy decorative chippings and then out. It felt wrong to linger somehow, although I didn’t realise until I’d got home. Still, at least the front garden looks finished now. By the way, I am absolutely in love with your blog design and illustrations. I’m definitely going to keep your illustrator in mind for any book design work that’s coming up.