Little Chirp and I find ourselves home just the two of us more and more. Brainy Bird busies himself with his end of year school projects, college planning, robotics and work. A few months ago, Little Chirp and I were miserable alone together. We would set up a board game, and wait in silence for Brainy Bird to come home and play with us. I could see the sadness in Little Chirp as he realized the days until his brother goes to college are numbered.
I told Little Chirp repeatedly that we need to find things that we enjoy doing. At first this suggestion was met with a great deal of resistance. Now, Little Chirp’s attitude has evolved over the past couple of months as he sees Brainy Bird is more and more visibly excited about college. Little Chirp is excited for his big brother. We both know he is ready to fly the nest.
The first Little Chirp and me activity that we decided on is joining a gym. Little Chirp practices his basketball and tries to get into pick up games with other kids. I lift weights. I hate the gym, but I like what it is doing for Little Chirp, and I like that I have lost twelve pounds in three months.
Our second activity is board games that we can enjoy just the two of us. So far, this is Phase 10 and Yahtzee. Little Chirp is winning way more than I am. The strategy of both games is different with two people, and he is ahead of me in mastering the strategy of both.
Our third activity is watching things on Netflix that Brainy Bird would not like. This includes cheesy movies like, “Yes Day!” I want to have our own yes day, but Little Chirp thinks that it is a bad idea. Over the weekend, we went shopping for new living room furniture that suits the two of us. We got a reclining chair and couch with plenty of room for the fur kids to snuggle while we watch movies.
Our fourth activity is planning our visits to go see Brainy Bird at college. The fall is going to bring on big changes for our little family. We are all excited and adjusting in our own ways.