Day 2566. We returned to Austria a week from today. This was the kids' last week of their summer holiday before school starts again on Monday. Jetlag made our first few nights harder after returning (a 9 hour time difference) but by now we've all arrived in our current time zone.
Monday
Tammy and Emmy had chosen to do a trampoline camp together this week, and I took them there. It started at 9 am but we got there earlier as we had to find the place first. It was in a shopping mall which made it trickier to find. Once we got there, they registered and received a pair of socks to use while there. Then I said my good-byes.
In the meantime, Randy had left with Sammy to take him to the place where they fit the night braces for him. He has grown so much that he needs new ones. By noon they were back home. I I had just finished cooking lunch. In the afternoon it was Randy who picked up Tammy and Emmy. Back home, they did piano practice as well as working on their school books for the summer, trying to get them done before school starts. Tammy is gonna finish, but I'm not so sure about Emmy.
Tuesday
On Tuesday I enjoyed getting to sleep in as Randy took Tammy and Emmy to their camp. Just before 2 pm Randy, Sammy and I left the house to cross the city using train, tram and bus to go to the hospital there where Sammy had a 3 pm appointment. There was so much traffic that we were late. We waited for a few minutes before we were called in. There were two doctors and a nurse waiting for us in the room. We'd had one informational meeting there before; they told us that had been in January. At the time I thought Randy was open to try this procedure to help Sammy at least once. But things had changed. He was completely against it and let the doctors know. They checked out Sammy who was a lot stiffer than before the summer because of not getting any therapies for two months. They explained again how the procedure would reduce the tension in his legs giving his new freedom to move that he doesn't have now. They also explained that it was only a matter time before he'd need a hip surgery and that the procedure we were there for would delay the hip surgery. Nothing they said made any difference. It was a clear no from Randy. I felt very sad inside as I wanted Sammy to get any and all chance for improving and was ready to try this once. I was close to crying that Sammy was not getting this opportunity.
In the meantime Grandma had picked up Tammy and Emmy from their camp and had taken them to our house. We got back just after 5 pm. Sammy was happy to see Grandma but she was ready to leave and go home. So we said hello and good-bye.
Wednesday
Randy left with Tammy and Emmy at 8:15 am to take them to their camp but I was up as well as some technicians were coming to change the water counters etc. Sammy and I didn't have to wait long, and they were really fast and soon done with their work. I was then preparing for my 10 am student; by then Randy was back. I taught until noon, then warmed up leftovers for us to eat.
At 2:45 pm I left the house to get to the trampoline place by 3:30 pm and watch them for half an hour as they had told me I could do that. Tammy and Emmy were showing me what they had learned already. At 4 pm it was over, and we left. We took the bus and then the subway and passed our house to go to the end of the line. Then we walked to the nearby building and took the elevator to the roof where Emmy's new soccer club is located. He had done one trial training there before. The training had started at 4:30 but I had told the coach that it would be later before we'd get there. In fact, it was close to 5 pm. Emmy joined the group, the coach asked him how he was doing, and then he got started. Tammy and I then left to go home. Later Randy picked him up at 6 pm when the training was over. It had sure been a long day for Emmy but he was the one who had wanted to go to the training.
Thursday
I got up at 9 am to have breakfast and get ready for my 10 am student. I taught until 11 am, then continued working before going to the kitchen to cook lunch. I gave Randy and Sammy their food, then sat down to get ready for my 1 pm student. Once I was done at 2 pm, I ate my lunch. Randy had to leave at 3:15 pm to pick up Tammy and Emmy. Sammy has spent the whole week at home but Randy took him outside to ride his bike on most days; Sammy loves riding his bike.
While Randy was gone to pick up Tammy and Emmy from their camp, I ended up talking to Paul on the phone and finding out about his ordeal on Tuesday. I then started writing a newsletter right away.
Friday
Today I got up at 9 am again as I had a 10 am student. I was done by 11 am, and for lunch I warmed up yesterday's leftovers. At 2:15 pm the three of us left the house and got to the trampoline park just after 3 pm. They had advertised that their was a show to show off on the last day but that was not true. I went to find them and took a video of Emmy doing a flip and landing on his feet. Great job! He had learned that this week. Then we went downstairs to leave. Before leaving for good, they each got a certificate and a gift bag and bracelet. Emmy wants to do this camp again during the next school holiday.
We rode a bus, then walked to the planetarium where their classmate's birthday party had started at 3 pm. We got there at 4 pm. We were told that all the kids were in the performance that was about to end and waited the two minutes or so untilt he doors opened. Then Tammy and Emmy went inside and joined the birthday kid and the other kids, most of whom were their classmates. I briefly talked to the birthday kid's Mom, then we left.
I had told Sammy he'd get to do rides at the amusement park right there so we went inside. Randy and Sammy then went on a water rollercoaster where Sammy had lots of fun. Next we went to a cute ride to the arctic and under water, and this time I was the one doing it with Sammy. After that, we walked to the subway and rode it home.
Randy only stayed home for half an hour before he had to leave again to pick up Tammy and Emmy from the birthday party at 6 pm. I went to the kitchen and made a sandwich for Sammy, then I started cutting up fruit for the kids before making my dinner salad. When the kids got home, they were not hungry. And they did not do any school work or piano practice. After the bathtub, we did a story, and they got ready for bed. As for me, I had gone to bed at a good time, before midnight, every night but tonight it's already 1:20 am.
