Our Family Blog

This month we celebrated Hayley’s 10th birthday with a dragon cake, a visit from grandma and a playdate with a few friends at the park. The kids in the pod performed their play, Shadow Rising, which they wrote, directed and created costumes on their own. It was great! The first graders studied the rainforest and RJ did his project on a chameleon (like his big sister). We received news that the kids will return to school part time in April. With the weight of the pandemic lifting we are feeling hopeful about the future.

With spring in the air we have been enjoying time outside, bike rides, projects and friends. Our kids continue in distance learning with their pod, but the pressure is building to reopen public schools. We are hopeful that vaccines will bring an end to this pandemic.

Our lovely friends let us stay in their vacation home in Pioneer. The weekend escape was rejuvenating and so much fun!

School resumed after the winter break and the kids continue to attend Zoom classes and do their school work from home. Our pod hired a new teacher and are trying to spend less time on computers and more time doing group projects or activities. So far the kids seem enthusiastic about the change.

Christmas day was filled with Zoom calls and text messages. We loved having Grandma and Grandpa visit and help with childcare.

Happy New Year! We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

This month we decorated the tree, wrapped gifts and made gingerbread houses with the pod. Happy Holidays to our friends and family! We miss hugs, laughter, sharing a meal and visits.

Like parents across the nation we struggled with creating a COVID safe Halloween for our kids. Our solution was an outdoor party with our pod. The kids hunted for candy, held a costume show, decorated pumpkins and played beautifully together. Hosting and attending a party felt like such a luxury, it was great!

To escape the cooped up COVID feeling, we went on a weekend trip to Clear Lake. The air was crisp, the scenery was stunning, and there were so many birds – herons, egrets, osprey and bald eagles! Our afternoon was spent on horseback, learning how to ride in an arena then going on a trail ride. The kids were naturals and we all enjoyed the animals and scenery.

Sorrel the bearded dragon joined the family today!

Northern California continues to experience fires and smoke. Each day, the air quality is like a roller coaster. When the air is clean we rush to the hills for a hike. When the air is unhealthy we lock ourselves inside and play Legos. We have so much empathy for those who have lost their homes or loved ones.

We are so grateful for the kid’s school pod! The social interactions, peer feedback and other families help to create a situation where our kids continue to grow and thrive.

Between raging wildfires, pervasive smoke, scorching hot weather and fatigue about COVID, it has been a challenging month! Despite all this, our kids still view the world with joy, curiosity and creativity. Hayley and RJ spent a week in San Diego for a smocation (to escape the cloud of smoke in the bay area). Grandma and Grandpa helped them with their school work, played games and took them swimming. After a week, we reunited, brought the kids home and returned to our normal routine.