One of the kids brought home two end of semester awards, and the twins turned ten, bright with anticipation even while one of them still sniffles under a blanket. Because no one felt well enough to do much else, we turned the living room into a cinema and worked through roughly fifteen films together, drifting between naps and Panadol top ups. I have also managed an accidental week without coffee, which feels both virtuous and slightly unhinged.
Influenza B steam rolled us, wiping out the kids’ last week of term and stealing half of mine just as I began a new role. I logged in on Thursday at maybe sixty per cent, only to find a learning curve that looks like Everest. My German cousin is visiting as well; lovely in theory, but hosting while everyone coughs and clutters feels impossible. Bob the dog has missed every walk and channelled his energy into shredding used tissues, scattering confetti from room to room. Each cough triggers another snowstorm.
Still, the small wins matter. We have a birthday dinner queued up for the twins as soon as they can taste food again, and their excitement keeps the mood afloat. The goals are simple: get everyone healthy, give Bob a proper run, and celebrate with the strongest flat white I can find. For now, two awards, a milestone birthday and a couch full of shared films feel like more than enough.