I think it is pretty safe to say that the last month has been a little rough for all of us. I am certainly no different. With a new job, the girls being gone for Spring Break, and the military preparation for COVID-19, the last two weeks in particular have been extremely difficult. I just wanted to give a quick update to let everyone know that we are doing okay. If there is anything that the Calkins Family does well, we endure, and tend to make the best of any situation.
About a month ago, I started my new job as the Battalion Executive Officer. While I already had a handle on what the position entailed, it still was a slight step up and required a little more effort. Elaina is continuing to do well in school and Gabriella is still preparing to start Kindergarten next year. Then COVID-19 changed everything.
The first change that we made was to cancel our trip to the Defy Trampoline Park in Tucson. While no one in Arizona had been infected yet, I did not want to take any chances with my girls. Instead, we stayed home and ordered a trampoline. While it did not come in until after the girls left for Spring Break with their mother, it certainly indicated that we were taking this pretty seriously. And when it did come in, I was working hard during the day to prepare my unit for the virus to reach Fort Huachuca and working on the trampoline at night, making sure it was ready before the girls arrived. By this time, they had already closed Elaina’s school and it seemed like the closure of Gabriella’s was on the horizon.
After a rough Spring Break with my hands full at work, I was able to safely bring the girls back on the Sunday following Spring Break. And I will say, it is really nice to get back into the routine.
Additionally, while they love “playing” school, now they are enjoying Dad being the teacher, as I implement the Kindergarten take-home curriculum (have not received it yet, but that has not stopped me from getting ahead of the curve).
The girls were happy to be home and back into the routine too. And that is where we are. It is funny how long a week apart can feel. But they are safely back home and we are all happy to be together again. At least I know we will get a lot of use out of this trampoline, especially if for some reason we have to go into quarantine. Either way, we will be together, and that is what counts.
Thanks for checking in on us. And please be safe.
Cheers!
Adventures in Single Dadding 