After being apart for the past two years due to COVID we were reunited with our east coast family. It was great to see everyone in person! We combined family time with a vacation in Nantucket where we swam, biked and enjoyed time with friends.
10 weeks of summer goes fast! We took trips to San Diego and Mariposa, went on local outings and celebrated birthdays. After 1.5 years of remote learning, the kids had a blast going to camp and making new friends.
Work, school and life have been so busy it’s been a while since I posted photos! Enjoy.
We took a road trip to Southern Oregon for spring break. It was great to get away, enjoy amazing scenery and explore!
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.