Well, things are slowly becoming somewhat more normal...or at least a little closer to normal, with still some things being definitely NOT normal. But, baby steps! Let's see...August started out really great with a super fun trip to Hilton Head (again!) where we met the Summer family and Grandma and Grandpa A. We got a hotel room at the new Courtyard by Marriott for 3 nights, and they were all in a really nice house down the road for the week. We had a blast at the beach, riding bikes, pools at the house and hotel, and also did a really neat kayak tour one morning where we saw lots of dolphins, birds, and even a manatee! So much fun!
Finley tried the pool at the Pooch Pad while he was there, and it sounded like it was kind of a bust.
We came back and had a yummy anniversary dinner a day late at Town Hall Burger and Beer right by our house while the girls stayed home alone (freedom!). The following week, we stayed busy with school prep and also watching the Tierney birds (we had no casualties on our watch this time, thank goodness) and the Sauls guinea pig, plants, fish, and hermit crab. Anna had a fun sleepover with Sarah, where they did their last virtual summer hip hop class and also went to paint pottery! The girls and I laid a bunch of mulch and pine straw on the 10th in record time, supervised by Finley.
Erin had her first piano lesson of the year also on the 10th. It is back in person (with a virtual option), with her and the teacher wearing masks and sitting 6 feet apart. The teacher got a cool new electronic piano that is more cleanable than her baby grand, so that is fun to play on! I had my first lesson on September 2nd.
The week of the 17th, we had virtual meet the teacher and then the big first day of school on Thursday the 20th. School is very different so far this year, but overall they (and I) are happy that they are back. It feels good to be more in the normal routine and for me to not be trying to teach them everything. The class sizes are smaller, they have to wear face masks all day except when eating, and they have to stay in their classrooms other than going to the bathroom, recess, or PE. So, there is some grumbling about not switching classes, not eating lunch in the cafeteria, and missing out on some freedom, but overall I think they are just happy to be there, and they are adjusting to all of the changes. Just being at school in itself was a big change after being home for over 5 months! Luckily, Olivia is in Erin's class and Sarah is in Anna's, so we are all relieved about that. Erin reports having fewer "bad boys" in her class this year, and Anna seems generally pleased with her class, so they really can't complain too much. They have several new teachers this year, and all of them seem to be really great!
I am excited to report that I now have my first real "on the books" paying job since 2009! Ha! The cafeteria manager at StMM asked me if I would help cook/pack/deliver lunches to the classrooms. Between the school not allowing parents or volunteers in the building and the requirement that kids eat in the classrooms and not the cafeteria, she needed to add some more staff. I am just working two lunch shifts a week for a grand total of 6 hours a week, though this week I did pick up an extra shift because two people couldn't be there. Anyway, it has been a blast so far and I am enjoying having the time in the building and getting to peek at everything. It's also a really fun group to work with - we stay busy and work hard!
Some family excitement is that Dale and Maria and their boys moved to Orange County this month! They had a big adventure driving cross country with the 3 boys and dog. They got there, closed on their house, and are now moved in and settling in to a totally new area! They are lucky to be close to the beach and are enjoying the gorgeous southern California weather. Their house looks beautiful and we can't wait to visit!
Those are really the main highlights for the month. We have spent the last two weeks mostly settling into the school routine. We are doing a carpool with two other families this year, even though it was "strongly discouraged" by the school (they check the kids' temperatures each morning, and if one kid in a car has a fever, the whole car gets sent home to quarantine/"go virtual" for an extended amount of time), and that's going well so far. Bob has continued cooking meals every Saturday and Sunday with the Knights of Columbus to donate, though things look to be changing there regarding funding from the county/state, so they may be changing their plan in the next month or so. I have still been baking 8 batches of various bar cookies every Friday to him to put with the meals, and the girls and I have helped here and there with dinner prep and bagging donated groceries and produce to distribute.
Erin had her first two ballet classes for the year at home virtually, but since the governor moved us to "Phase 2.5" starting tomorrow evening, they will now start meeting at the dance school on their regular schedule beginning next week. She will have to wear a mask and parents can't be in the studio, but otherwise it sounds pretty much like normal. Anna started soccer at the Y last week with neighbor friend Nina, and she had a great time! They won't be playing other teams this year, but will be doing some drills and scrimmages within the team. I think it will be a great season for her, and a good way to get started, since she hasn't played since she was 4.
So, other than the coronavirus saga continuing, it was a fun month. In between everything else, we have spent some time at the pool and have gone on a few hikes plus our daily neighborhood walks.
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