NYE - Bring on 2021!

2020 was quite the year! It started for us in the southern hemisphere while on our epic family trip, was altered in March with the arrival of covid, and ended with the new normal of masks and 'social distancing' which left just the 4 of us celebrating NYE together at home. It seems that everyone is ready to see the end of 2020 to see what 2021 brings. What better way to start it off with who matters most - our fierce foursome! 

MOMENT: Don't let the door get you on the way out, 2020! 

We showed 2020 the door with hospitality with an evening of fun and games. The kids were given 24 photos, two for each month of the past year that they worked to put into two timelines so we could take a trip down "memory lane". At the table, we played some games with the appetizer and dinner. We made a shopping list where we took turns adding something to it (alphabetical order and needed to remember each item in order!). We made as many words as we could from the letters in 'new years eve' and shared some ideas about what we'd like to work on for 2021. We moved out to the porch and nestled in for the rest of our evening where we enjoyed some treats after guessing what they were and a fun game of 5 Second Rule. My birthday was also brought in with a bang of great food, an outing, and some one-of-a-kind art work. Bring on 2021!

Covid Christmas 2020

Covid cannot stop the Christmas spirit! 

The restrictions have kept Grandma and Auntie Colleen in Canada but fortunately they are together in Fort Frances and able to spend holiday time with Kevin, Lise, and Logan. This marked my first Christmas ever without my Mom! We were happy to be able to find a way to spend part of the holiday safely with the Bedford family in Ottawa which involved a 2 week quarantine period with our kids pulled out of school and Mommy donning an N95 mask at work - but we made it happen!

MOMENT: Festive Fun and Family    

We continued with the usual traditions ... Christmas trees, gift making, good food, and general holiday cheer! Santa found us in Kanata and a good time was had by all. It took a few moments to adjust to being inside the home of another person since it has been so long, but once we settled in, it was such a relief to be in the space of family for more than a fleeting outdoor visit! We even kept up our tradition of visiting with the Richardsons before leaving town and we were committed because it was cold, but worth it!

Mom is Dope

 Nov 11, 2020

Sometimes, a Mom's just gotta toot her own horn.

I made soup. It was delicious. 

My family seemed indifferent. 

So, I came up with a congratulatory song that also demonstrates overtly my Mom hip-ness... as this song was adapted from a "TicTok" dance that is current and hot. 

Just like me. And my soup.

"Go Mommy, go.

Your soup is super dope.

Go Mommy, go.

You're super super dope."

Highway Fun and Games

Driving along the highway, kids playing together in the backseat. Some Tales of what was overheard...

Keva: It'll just be the three of us because Tavish is dead. I shot him.

Tavish: (playing dead in backseat)

Mommy: That's too bad, I'll miss him. I mean, guess we will save on things like toothpaste...

Daddy: Not much.

Ha. Tweenagers and dental hygiene practices are fun to mock....

Keva: hey Tav, wanna play tag?

Tavish: what? No. How would you even okay tag in the car anyway?!

Keva: well, you reach over to try to tag, but you squish against your door to stay away. (pause) It's funner than it sounds.

Note: they tried, and she's right, it was fun...for a full 4 to 5 seconds ...

Saturday Strolls with Casey

One great way to pass some covid time is by building a bond with our neighbour baby, Casey! Keva and I started taking Casey for Saturday morning strolls before Keva's ballet class, often with Mike the corgi in tow. The fellas in our family were at outdoor dryland for hockey, but Tavish was always quick to get his own Casey time in when they got home. It's fun to watch the seasons change and Casey grow as we stroll...

Covid Socialization

There's no denying that it's a strange, strange time. Stay-at-home when possible and keep-your-distance expectations has left differing comfort levels around small outdoor gatherings. We feel fortunate that we found our kindred covid peeps to still gather with outside with this fall. We kept safety as our primary focus but mental health and overall happiness as the goal...and it worked. We kept it up until the weather cooled and our family quarantined for upcoming holiday visits. 

MOMENTS: Safe and Spacious Socialization

The usual suspects were Maggie and the girls (Pippa and Cleo) and Alyssa and the boys (Callum and Casey) on Fridays. The usual gathering continued most Friday nights with us hanging out in the back. We introduced our fire pit or utilized Alyssa's outdoor heater to fend off the fall chill. Auntie Colleen was also a regular around here, sometimes with special appearances including Alanna and Caroline! I'm not sure how we would have fared without our friends and family. We were safe, careful, and also happy. We cherish these opportunities even more than before during these crazy covid times!

Fall Family Fun, 2020

With covid restrictions ever present, our family made the most of it by committing to at least once a week family outings near to home. The lovely leaves are an extra draw for Mommy, but being active and together is always the best motivation. We visited a number of places that are near and dear.

MOMENT: Fun with the Fam

Wherever we ventured, we included a stop on our way home for a treat like pizza lunch, hot chocolate, bubble tea, sushi, cookies, and the like. The sweetness was always a welcome way to celebrate the outing and our togetherness!