On February 1 we got walloped with huge snow storm that lasted two days. And then a few days later we got another 3 inches. The girls had one official “snow day” from school, but since the whole virtual set up is in place, they moved to a virtual school schedule for the rest of the week. As I write this blog post in mid-February we’re expecting another 6 inches beginning tomorrow. I guess it makes up for the lack of snow last winter. And if we’re not going anywhere, I guess let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
We’re not sure if Petunia has ever experienced snow before, but I can tell you she loves it! Even though she’s not built for cold weather, we had to drag her inside to warm her up.
I think I speak for the whole world when I say Good Riddance to 2020! What a year. I recently looked back at my first post of 2020, where I recapped all of the things we did in January – black tie events, going to the zoo, school performances, visits with people in our house! Looking at those pictures now – groups of kids smooshed together singing, no masks, hugging people – it’s unbelievable where we are today. While I welcome 2021 with open arms, we’re still a ways away from any type of “normal.” I don’t anticipate my office opening again until the summer or even fall. The kids likely won’t go back to school for a full day this entire school year. At this point I’m hoping that Sophie can start middle school in person. Will we ever go out in public without masks again? Who knows.
Here’s what I do know. 2020 was rough, but it was also life changing, in both good and bad ways. Dave’s travel stopped completely in March and we’ve spent the longest time together as a family ever. He’s been home for dinners, to read to the girls every night, and to tuck them in every night for the first time in their lives. We all learned to work in the same space, getting schoolwork and work work accomplished. We got closer as a family. We also got on each other nerves and learned that we all need space too. We got outside a lot and got to know our neighborhood and neighbors better than before COVID. We discovered the activities that work virtually and those that don’t – and look forward to going back to in person choir, ballet, and piano again. Without commutes we’ve all been sleeping more and Dave and I have been exercising more. Which is good, because we’re also cooking, baking, and eating more too. Fortunately another perk has been having Dave home to cook too. Of all the things I miss, and there are a lot, eating out hasn’t been at the top of the list because we eat so well here. Having a great bartender make me the perfect martini? That’s another story.
One of the best things that happened this year is the election of Joe Biden. Trump’s absolute and total mismanagement of this pandemic is what I believe pushed Biden over the top. It’s been an especially shocking and eye-opening few weeks since the election and I’m looking forward to January 20th, when we’ll finally have new leadership, and what I yearn and hope for a better next few years. 2020 was one of the most emotionally draining years I’ve ever experienced.
To wrap up the year, on New Year’s Eve day we decided to get out, even though the weather was terrible – 40 degrees and raining – and go ice skating. We went down to Penns Landing, where the rink was virtually empty due to the weather and pandemic combo. Dave took the girls out and I sat along the side and watched.
Sophie
Lauren getting her skating legs back
My perfect trio!
Our New Year’s Eve, like all other celebrations this year, very low key. It was just the four of us and we tried to make it as fun as possible. Some games, some karaoke, Zoom countdowns with various friends and family, and a slumber party in the living room. The kids stayed up until Midnight and quickly crashed afterward.
Celebrations at Midnight!
We held off on our traditional New Year’s Day hike until January 2nd because it poured all day on the 1st, which was just as well because all we wanted to do was stay in our PJs and watch movies anyway.
But on the 2nd we headed to Wissahickon and did a 3 mile hike, up to the Native American statue. It was gorgeous and refreshing and just what we needed to get ourselves in gear for the coming year, whatever it may bring.
On the morning of her birthday she did a scavenger hunt to find all 11 (!) of her birthday presents. The final present was monkey bars that Dave had made to attach to the swing set that we have in the backyard. She also got a hoverboard, which she rode on for most of the day (thank goodness we had good weather).
And for dinner we had (of course) pizza from Tony Roni’s. The Sharps came over for pizza and cake and a movie.
The big 8 year old!
on her new hoverboard
new monkey bars!
She picked out the cake and I made it – a three layered chocolate malted cake with toasted marshmallow “icing.”
This amazing, hilarious, active girls has brought so much joy to our lives over the last 8 years!
Like everything this year, Christmas was very quiet. So quiet in fact that I forgot to take any pictures past the morning present opening.
We did our traditional seafood dinner on Christmas Eve. Dave decided to go with a Christmas in July theme (why not?!), so we had crab and corn chowder, shrimp cocktail, and lobster rolls. All were delicious, of course.
Lauren making sure the cookies and milk are all set for Santa
After setting out cookies and milk for Santa, and a carrot for Rudolf, we all headed to bed. The girls were up at 5AM and in my sleepy confusion, I thought it was later, so started coffee and stocking opening before I realized how early it was. Oh-well, why not?
The 5AM crew ready to go downstairs and see if Santa came
Sophie got some Harry Potter stuff and a makeup desk from Santa, and Lauren got a white Christmas tree for her room, pretend iPhone, and big outdoor swing. Since we couldn’t visit Santa this year, they girls wrote him a letter instead and some of these things are what they asked for.
first present of the day
Lauren got Sophie a Paris puzzle
Sophie with her new makeup desk and Gryffindor scarf
Lauren with her new “phone”
Big swing from Santa
Rainer family Zoom
The rest of the day was lazy – big breakfast, playing outside with the new swing, some movies, a family Zoom, and dinner with the Sharps. With just the six of us I didn’t even break out all of the Christmas china, just the plates and a few serving platters. While I missed the crowd, it was also nice to keep it quiet this year. But I look forward to the big crowd again next year.
It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to visit with Zoe and see little Maddie, who is already 14 months! So we planned a quick outdoor visit this weekend to drop of Christmas presents, catch up, and meet her new chickens!
Little Maddie
Lauren, Maddie & Sophie
Maddie is in full toddler mode, moving around the yard and following Sophie and Lauren around. Zoe got the chickens a few months ago and they’re big enough for their own coop in the back. They’ve just started producing eggs. Of course, as soon as we left Sophie requested that we get chickens too. While it would be nice to just go out back to grab some eggs – I’m not sure Petunia would be so good about not eating them 😉
It was a quick visit, but so good to see them again! It’s been a tough year not seeing family as much, and especially knowing that we won’t see everyone at Christmas, which also makes these visits all the more special.
It’s been well over a year since we’ve had any snow, so it was an exciting day when we got almost 6 inches! At this point we’re not going anywhere, so I say let it snow!
The kids are back to a hybrid school schedule, but because of the weather they were moved back to 100% virtual for three days, which allowed them lot of time to whine about school work while the snow fell outside. But we weren’t total grinches – we gave them lots of time to get out and sled. A lot of the neighborhood kids came by as well. It felt a little like the pre-COVID days with all of the kids playing in the back – with the exception of everyone wearing masks I guess.
Lauren geared up and ready to go!
The kids and Petunia at the ready
We think this was also Petunia’s first snow. She certainly acted like it at least! She was running around like a mad dog – chasing after the kids down the hill. She didn’t seem bothered by the cold and didn’t want to come in.
The day after we got from back Charlottesville we headed to Yoders Tree Farm, where we’ve cut down our own tree for the last few years. They didn’t have any hay rides this year, but otherwise the operation ran pretty much the same. There was a little debate this year on the perfect tree, but we all finally decided on one, which ended up being the perfect height once we got it into the house.
the girls with THE tree
Dave doing the cutting
and it’s down!
We decorated the tree that night and now we’re all ready for Christmas!
We headed down to Charlottesville again this year for Thanksgiving. Because of COVID it was just our family this year who made the trip. We minimized our stops along the way to try and make exposures as few as possible.
This was the first long trip with Petunia. What we’ve found is that if you put her in the back of the car she’ll chew anything around her, BUT if she’s in the front seat she’ll travel happily anywhere. So… she did the whole trip from the seat of honor (oy).
Petunia enjoying the front seat.
Once we arrived we did little but hang around the house and enjoy the great weather. It was unseasonably warm all week, so we got to spend a lot of time outside.
Petunia got to meet Penny and they became best pals quickly. We arrived in the day, instead of the middle of the night, which is what we usually do, because we knew the dogs would be insane for the first few hours. We were right.
Penny & Petunia. Keep away was a favorite game. As was sitting on top of Petunia when she finally got the ball! After many (many) hours of nonstop playing they finally rested, if only for a few moments. Once recharged they were back at it!
Since we won’t see my family for Christmas, we decided to celebrate that as well. We all got into it and it really felt like Christmas. The kids decorated the tree on “Christmas Eve” and we had a big, festive dinner. On the morning of “Christmas” the girls were up early and ready to open presents.
Decorating the tree on “Christmas Eve” Waiting at the top of the steps on “Christmas” morning
Lauren painted a platter for Nana
Ari got a hoverboard
Sophie loving on Penny
Ari & Lauren figured out how to simultaneously use the hoverboard
And then the next day was actual Thanksgiving, so we quickly changed gears and got into the Thanksgiving spirit. In all there was enough eating and drinking in those three days to last the entire month!
Since Doug and his family didn’t come down this year, Dave was in charge of deep frying the turkey. Doug had sent along detailed instructions from the last six years, so he had some good guidance. It turned out deliciously!
lowering the turkey
the finished product
Lauren approved!
It was such a gorgeous day that we ate outside.
It’s the first year that I can remember that the kids got to sit at the “big table” and we didn’t have to serve the food buffet style.
On the day after Thanksgiving we took our usual hike. It was another gorgeous day and we had a special visitor – our friend Carl, who lives in North Carolina, came up for a quick visit. It was really great to see him!
We weren’t totally sure what would happen with Halloween this year. While our township did not ban trick-or-treating, they were not encouraging it. We decided to just walk around our block and see what the neighbors were doing. It turns out fewer houses were celebrating, but those who were felt bad for the kids and went overboard with the candy – either full size bars or separate bags of candy. The girls were very pleased 😉
They both went as witches this year.
Most houses either set out an unmanned table with candy on it, or some neighbors got creative with social distance candy distribution.
table outside of the house
a candy shoot to ensure everyone keeps at least six feet distance
After trick-or-treating we went over to the Devine’s house and watched Hocus Pocus on projected to a screen on their garage door. The kids did some candy trading and then ate until they were ill. As Halloween should be! All in all it was a fun night and not all that different from past Halloweens.
Emma, Ava, Sophie & Lauren watched Hocus Pocus outside
My Nana turned 95 of October 28th. She had wanted to have a big party, but since that’s not possible this year, instead we all went to the beach! Nana rented the family four houses close to each other in Ocean City and we all spent time together outside – on the beach or on porches. Since the girls are now in in person school, we went town for a few days, came back for school, and then went back down.
Unfortunately we only had one nice day of weather – pictured below – where the girls were able to get in bathing suits and play in the sand.
The rest of the time was cold and rainy, but we still enjoyed it as much as possible!
one day we were the only people on the entire boardwalk!
hot chocolate on the boards
We had two mini “parties” for Nana, since not everyone could be there the entire time. One night we had one at our beach house with cupcakes and balloon hats.
Maithili, Dan, Vicki, Doug, Mom
The birthday girl!
in a balloon hat, of course!
Our girls and Ari had to do virtual school while they were there, which was somewhat challenging. Who wants to work while you’re at the beach?! But Ari did participate in Lauren’s class Halloween party, which was pretty fun.
Freeze dance Halloween party
While the weather wasn’t great, we all tried to spend time on the beach, especially Nana who love to just look out at the water.
Nana in her happy place!
On the last night we celebrated Dad and Julia’s birthday, which are both the first week in November.
Happy Birthday, Julia and Dad!
It was really a fantastic week, filled with family and celebration and reflection. While we couldn’t have a big bash this year, in my opinion this was so much better. We all got to see each other, which hasn’t happened in a while, and we all got to be in one of our favorite places. We were able to spend time together, and alone, and really appreciate where we are right now – which is not where anyone expected to be, but also finally together at last.
