Fall was full-ish

OK, things are a little out of order here and all over the place but such was 2020.

Clark has a talent for finding hobbies that I don't particularly like.  Someday perhaps he will find joy in scrapbooking? Or at least something more productive and helpful like woodworking.  One can dream.  In any case he shot his first deer and was really really excited about it.  We only teased him a little bit about the fact that it only had one antler.  Abby helped him skin the deer and process the meat and we have been eating it ever since.  I am undecided about venison though leaning towards "I prefer normal meats".

My Mom Bubble in the backyard hasn't gotten much use as of late because I really hate being cold.  But I look at it longingly from time to time and remember that happy moment when it was warm enough to be out there and cool enough to not be carried off by mosquitos.

We did our best to pretend like everything was normal and did a drive-by to "meet" teachers....meaning Jonah's teacher.  Everyone else is too old for such things.  I think that there could be a lot of positive things that come out of this whole experience, one being the realization that we do a lot of things out of habit that just aren't necessary - like in person meetings and open houses.  Are they helpful? Sometimes.  Are they necessary?  Not really.  In any situation it's in the actual doing that we figure things out most effectively anyway.  We figured it was important to introduce "little brother" as well since he is bound to be seen bopping around in the background from time to time.

Mia was shortchanged on her field hockey season (as was poor Hazel who had just made the middle school team just the week before everything went on lockdown last Spring.) Mia was able to join a summer/fall league for the extra practice.  It's been disappointing to see how uncommitted the rest of her team was to making it a useful time - they never practiced together, not once.  So while she enjoyed having the opportunity to play games once a week, most of her practices were with sisters or a single friend or maybe two that would meet up at the school to play during the week.

School started.  I feel like my kids have done an amazing job at rolling with the punches this year.  It hasn't been easy or pleasant but they have adapted as well as anyone could expect.  It's taken time to figure things out and know how best to do stuff but overall I think we have done fairly well.

In September Jonah started 3rd (which I always forget...I literally have to count from his birthday to know what grade he is in for some reason), Hazel is in 7th, Mia in 10th and Abby is experiencing a truly unique Senior year.

We started out with a pretty little school set up in the piano room.  I felt like it was important for them to have a space designated for school to help keep them focused as well as being able to better compartmentalize "school" and "home".  Hazel, Abby and Mia have no appreciation for their adorable and potentially organized school spaces.  Jonah has no choice since his computer can't be moved around.  Most days I have to wander into their room at least once to tell them to turn on the lights and look alive.

Ironically enough though, his "space" has changed twice since school started.  He can't really be on headphones because I need to be able to hear what is going on and what he is supposed to be doing, which was distracting to the girls.  So I reluctantly moved him into the corner of my bedroom which also proved to be an inconvenient place....particularly in October when the family came down with COVID and Clark and I were sleeping 6 hours a day.

Before: when things were tidy and in place and attitudes were still "ooh this could be fun..."

NOW:

Messier, a little less enthusiastic...somedays barely hanging on.  And rarely sitting at their nice little desks anymore.  Except Jonah, he is always stuck to his desk which is now back in my office where he is out of everyones way yet still close by.

 I'm not sure what is worth mentioning about the whole COVID thing except that we had it.  With so much of the year revolving around this pandemic, it felt kind of like "we got it! we won!" and then, oh dang.  Clark, Haley, Abby, Mia and myself all tested positive (Hazel had symptoms but was never tested.) We all quarantined for two full weeks and have made a full recovery, I think.  My taste and smell is not quite normal but close enough to not be bothered by it.  The girls were never very sick and it was short lived.  Clark and I had every symptom on the list, but by far the worst was the fatigue (and the loss of smell/taste.) The fatigue was insane.

But we got better.  We have spent lots of days at the farm.  It's been a nice place to get away when there is not a lot of other stuff to do.  

Then in November Abby and Mia got to go back to school.  We chose the "in school option" for those two while we opted to keep Jonah and Hazel virtual throughout.  I figured consistency for Jonah was the best, not to mention I couldn't stand the thought of him being told to "stop doing" things all day long on top of normal school rules.  And Hazel likes being in charge of her own stuff.  Even the "in school" option is only two days a week at the school for them and while it doesn't feel normal, they enjoy being able to go.

Honestly I can't even remember when we did the adventure park but I think it was early October?  It was a fun end of summer type of celebration.  I wish activities like this weren't so crazy expensive, especially for a family our size.  Because we had a lot of fun and a good time was had by all.  Even Abby who is terrified of heights.

We have been super lucky to have such good friends that are so willing to come see us.  The Larsons have been our family and friends this year.  We mostly just play and eat and hang out.  But they also get us out of the house.  We were able to go on a bike ride down by the water.  We were a bike gang and even though it rained on us it was nice to know we can pull off an activity like that.

Then we had Halloween.  The day of Halloween was actually supposed to be our very last day of the 14 day quarantine.  We tried to make it fun, I promised them a party.  I'm not sure if I delivered to their liking but I enjoyed myself.

Costumes were mandatory for the family party.  We ate mummy dogs and chili and a piece of candy or two.  One of the perks of COVID was a total loss of appetite.  Clark and I lost weight and food just didn't sound exciting, or necessary for a good month or two.  We wrapped up mummies in crepe paper, played Halloween bingo and finished the night off by watching the new Witches movie.

The day after was voting day.  It felt very strange to be out in the big wide world after a strict 2 weeks at home.  People were so kind and generous with meals and treats.  I even had our groceries delivered to our porch.  But then the next day we stood in line for an hour to cast our votes and get a sticker.  It was a big election for Haley who got to be an adult and make her voice count.