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Suzanne Schultz Pick
Married to Steve. Mother of Jack. Librarian IT Assistant. Writer, teacher, blogger, podcaster, technological princess.
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Recent Posts
Jack’s Mum (my podcast)- Keeping a toddler busy over a rainy British summer term
- Mommy hood and toddler days
- Happy New Year! It’s time to start preschool.
- Episode 12: Getting a toddler ready for Christmas
- Episode 11: After Covid we're getting on with things
- Episode 10: Covid Is Still Ruining My Plans after Freedom Day
- Episode 9: How Covid Can Still Ruin Your Plans
- Episode 8: Swimming, nursery, sickness, and Covid testing
- Episode 7: Taking a Toddler Out and About
- Episode 6: Self-Care
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An update for June 2021
It’s been hot up north lately which is lovely for England because we don’t squander our days in the sun. Most of the time we’ve been playing with Jack in the garden or taking him on walks with his trike.
Steve’s birthday was on the 1st and we had our first date (breakfast by the river) since 2019. The rest of that weekend we spent as a family hanging out then Jack got sick had to stay home from nursery (and get a Covid test — negative).
I really need to start back up with the podcast because I have lots of stuff to talk about with taking a toddler out and about how that lockdown has eased. We’ve done two restaurants outside and lots of kid-friendly events like the farm, a sensory room, swim lessons, and walks. We even got him a new trike but quickly discovered those are not for long trips when the child gets tired because the one we have doesn’t recline. (It was also the only one decent rated online that was available: a Kingerkraft Aston.)
Other than that, we’re getting on as we do. Steve is still working from home and I’m doing my management course at work so hopefully I can get that done by the autumn of this year.
Still no official word about our trip to Florida, but we still plan on seeing the Picks next month for Jack’s christening. It will be two years since we’ve seen our families.
Sunny bank holiday
If it’s one thing I’ve learned about being British it’s that we don’t squander our nice weather days. Even when the sun attempts to peek out, we are outside, ready for summer.
For the last couple of days we’ve been making the most of the 66F degree weather, which doesn’t sound like much to a Floridian (heck, that’s autumn temperatures) but over here it means we are comfortable outside without a coat.
Thursday we went on our first date together since before Jack was born, Friday we took him to Tynemouth Aquarium finally, Saturday we took a walk to The Baltic and had lunch on the Quayside. Today Jack had a bit of a cough and a snotty nose so we skipped swim lessons and stayed home. Steve went to the allotment this morning while Jack, Daisy, and I played in the back garden. Sunblock was required!

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An update for May 2021
I really wish I could say a lot has been going on, but it hasn’t. I guess most people feel that way right now though, don’t they?
As of this month, I’ve had my first Covid shot because I wasn’t eligible until a couple of weeks ago. I went to Monkseaton Methodist Church for the vaccine centre there and it was very efficient and I was impressed with how easy the whole process was. Afterward, I felt foggy and tired. It wasn’t like having a regular flu shot. I needed more sleep and I couldn’t lie down because I was looking after Jack. This was my initial worry with the vaccine, and I’ve heard the 2nd can be twice as bad (but some have had no problems with either). However, having a couple days of side effects is better than weeks of Covid-19, so I’ll deal with it.
I haven’t done anything with the podcast lately. I started a new bullet journal which ended up just being a decorated journal, but whatever. I use a lot of ink stamps instead of messing around with artistic attempts because I’m just not an arty person. I don’t doodle and the stress of being perfect in my layouts made me avoid it most of the times. The stamps are perfect for what I need to do a quick entry of to-do lists and habit tracking.
I’m also awaiting back from a contest I submitted to. {fingers crossed}
At home, we’re just carrying on. Steve is still working from home and Jack’s doing okay with part time nursery. Now that lockdown has eased, we can go on family outings on the weekend and that has helped my mood considerably. Months of Groundhog Day with no where to go and nothing to look forward to was just tedious. Again, I’m always grateful for the time we have at home together, but I’m glad we can go back out and exploring again. Steve and I had plenty of time to go around the North East as a couple, and now we can discover lots of family oriented fun.
So far we’ve gone to Down at the Farm, Beamish, Gibside, and Northumberland Zoo. All highly recommended!
Here’s to a fun Mother’s Day tomorrow and Steve’s birthday and Father’s Day are right around the corner, so we’ll plan some fun for then as well.
Until then, I hope everyone is taking care of themselves and hanging in there.
P.S. I forgot why I don’t post as much anymore: WordPress block editor is awful.
Down on the Farm
We visited Down on the Farm today. Nice little place with animals and play areas for kids. Jack is still a bit too little for all of that but he liked waving to the other kids. He waves to the animals too, which is adorable.
We saw little pigs, goats, sheep, deer, meerkats, alpacas, cows, a donkey, and a tortoise. We even took a tractor ride to the top of the hill and had a lovely view all the way to The Pennines.
Just a nice morning out and only stayed an hour or so. This included much needed hanging out time by the cafe with a hot drink. I totally recommend it.
https://www.downatthefarm.co.uk

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Self isolation March 2021
I had to self isolate at the beginning of February and now Jack has to self isolate for the first two weeks of March. This means we’ve been at home a lot. I’ve been trying to keep a (now) 14 month old and a goldendoodle content from 6AM to 8:30PM. It’s exhausting, yes, especially when we can’t even go out for walks or drives.
I enjoy being home with them though and I’m honestly sad that the prospect of life going back to “normal” may start within a few months.

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It sounds lovely celebrating your anniversary with dinner at El Torero.