Giving Thanks, even in 2020!

 

Even in the midst of this stupid pandemic we have so much to be thankful for. Namely our health. The last two weeks things were a little bit up in the air. On November 6th, Matt was rushed to the hospital after collapsing while hunting. My parents were actually en route, returning from Arizona. To our great relief, he is doing okay. But then on Monday the 9th and Tuesday the 10th Papa didn’t feel to well. On the 11th it was confirmed that he was positive for Covid. Kiersten’s response: I’m surprised it took that long! He isn’t one to sit still or stay home. But that meant our holiday plans were up in the air.

Unfortunately that meant that Uncle Jeff, Aunt Laura, Nat and Jo had to cancel their plans to come home. Papa was quarantined through the 20th. The same day they were set to arrive. Fortunately for us, Gigi was able to be out of quarantine on the 24th. Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Mitch was happy to cook, which has become our new tradition. His turkey was excellent...always is. Hattie helped me make white chocolate cranberry bars. Kiersten made pumpkin cheesecake bars. Leah made deviled eggs and helped with the green bean casserole. Kiersten was happy to help with the stuffing and Hattie helped with the glazed carrots. Gigi brought the mashed potatoes and the dinner rolls. We all filled our bellies and shared great conversation at the table.

After dinner we enjoyed some farkle. Gigi had never played before but she got the hang of it quickly. We are thankful and happy to host Thanksgiving in our home. We are blessed to be able to be together in these troubling times. The memories will last my girls a lifetime. 

Still Swimming

 The struggle is real right now. Remote learning is only just beginning, and it’s exhausting. But I’m so thankful that my kids still have one part of their day that feels normal. 

For nearly two years these kids waited for a head coach at the Y. And so far the new coach has been worth the wait! They are loving team right now and excelling in the pool. A big thank you to our coaches, officials and parents that are stepping up and keeping the YDSC Gators in the water. This weekend we had a quick meet at our home pool. They miss going to other pools to compete but you wouldn’t know it from their times. Look at this list of kids with drops!!!

Hattie dropped in her backstroke. Leah did amazing in her 100 backstroke and got a YMCA state time as well as dropping in her 200 IM. Kiersten crushed it in her very first event, the 200 IM. Bug finished with a USA swimming regional time AND a new team record. Then, not even 20 minutes later she got a regional time in her 50 backstroke. They were so happy...big, big smiles!!! And in 2020 we are happy to celebrate the wins when we get them.  

2020 is all Tricks...no Treats!

 There were lots of questions and wondering...would Halloween happen this year? You can't cancel Halloween!!! We were fortunate that the Village of Mt. Zion moved forward with normal trick-or-treating hours. So while Covid is spiking in our area, and we questioned whether or not it was the right call, we went ahead and let the girls go out...with masks of course. 

They started the day at swim with some super fun Halloween themed games in the pool. Bug had to hightail it after swim to the Sullivan's house. She swam with Bea at 11:30 and went to Bea's house at 1:30 for a socially distanced Halloween party outdoors. Bea and Ariel and Kiersten have become great friends swimming together so it's awesome to see them becoming friends outside of the pool, too. They had a little bonfire and played games, all with masks on. It's really not that hard! 

I picked up Kiersten around 3:30 and at 4 Leah headed to the Short's for some fun with friends. They had a group costume planned. The jock, the nerd, the goth girl and the cheerleader. They had a lot of fun crusing around the neighborhood in the golf cart and then headed back to our house for a sleepover. 

We passed out treats socially distanced style. I bagged up treats and all the ghouls and goblins could just grab one. The girls had fun watching and waving through the window! Happy Halloween, 2020.