Dearest Boys,
This is my attempt to document the happenings from 2020.
I think this would be easier to recap if we were on the other side of the mess - however, we're still sifting through the shit show (If you're reading through this for nostalgia's sake, then I figure you're old enough for that language.) so I'm not sure I even have the words.
We started the year blissfully unaware and went to the Vaughn's house for our annual black eyed peas and cabbage. I'm now wondering if the rest of the world forgot to do this important tradition!?!??!
Mother Nature gave us a dusting of snow in mid-January and we ate it up!
Jax, you attended IMPACT with church and you stayed at a stranger's house for the weekend with a bunch of other boys from the youth group. I stalked social media for updates about how things were going and this was the one and only picture I managed to snag. Looks like your community service leaf raking project turned into a flex contest. ; )
March brought a lot of news from around the world and it was the first time I'd heard of this mysterious virus that was affecting Asia. I didn't give it much thought because I was so excited about a trip Dad & I had planned for Michelle's birthday. The week we were set to fly to California, the news announced that the virus had spread to the US. Out of caution, the Harycki's cancelled their trip so it was just us & The Vaughns. We flew into San Francisco and the vibe was already different than when we were there just months before. We still did a bunch of touristy things - even visited Alcatraz (which we didn't get to do on our last trip). I still didn't comprehend the severity of things and I'm grateful for that, because ignorance is bliss. Maybe I should've gotten a clue when Chinatown looked like this:
We kept chugging along and enjoyed a meal with a view at The Cliff House.
Then Michelle drove us across the Golden Gate and we headed to Wine Country!
We were our own tour guides as we visited some of Napa's most popular spots.
The next day was the real treat though as Justin hired a private driver, Austin, for us. He took us to unique wineries off the beaten path and kept his cool all day - even when we got the news that California's Governor was placing the entire state on lock down. After that news, THE owner himself joined our tasting and drank away his concerns about how this could possibly destroy his entire business. That was my first big sign that this was no small news story.
We then made the decision to cut our trip short and fly home early.
By the time we got home, grocery stores were practically empty and the World Health Organization was officially declaring this virus, COVID 19, a pandemic. Dad's company told everyone to stay home and our school district said that Spring Break would be extended another week so that an educational plan could be developed.
It was soon decided that schools would learn virtually and I had to quickly teach myself how to operate classes with this new style. You boys had a schedule to follow and had to log in via video chat throughout the day. Jax, you really enjoyed the comfort of this new setup!
We didn't really leave our neighborhood for a few weeks and we got in a lot of family time!!
Our neighborhood held strong for a bit - but it didn't take long before they also announced that things would be shutting down. We quickly squeezed in a round of golf since we didn't know when our next opportunity would be.
Car parades became a thing and many milestones were celebrated via cars driving by houses and honking as wishes were displayed on posters. I lost track of how many we were invited to attend! Here is a look at my car parade message for my students for the parade put on by my school. Colt, your school had a parade too but I didn't get any pictures of it.
Things continued to be weird in April so I had to document it with pictures.
But we did make it to Grandpa and Grandma's house for a super quick Easter celebration.
We were really missing socializing with our friends so we had a virtual date.
Then your birthday arrived and I was just plain angry that a stupid virus might ruin your special day! We still tried to celebrate. We invited the Vaughns over for a driveway hangout and sent you kids off on a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood. You and Brody competed with Colt and Kate to try to snap pictures in random spots according to the scavenger hunt directions.
Maybe you were just trying to ease my frustrations - but you told me it was an awesome day and that you wanted to do more scavenger hunts. : )
We continued with the social distancing as we tried to "flatten the curve" and spent so much time outside, playing games, trying new recipes, and organizing the house. In retrospect, I wish I would've used that time to develop an exercise routine!
The school year wrapped up with some fun at home learning and I was more thankful than ever that neither of you were in a pivotal school year. (Seniors pretty much got the shaft with no prom and super limited graduation ceremonies.)
As a tricky school year came to a close, we ended up having so much to celebrate so we carefully got together in small groups to support some big milestones.
Brandie was nominated for our annual awards banquet and we went with a Moira Rose (character from a show we're all currently binge watching) theme as we spaced out around a computer screen in her garage and watched her name flash across the slideshow.
Michelle got hired at your middle school so that was to be celebrated with mimosas on her back porch!
And Laura left the gen ed classroom for a different position so we congratulated her on that!
We tried to make June feel as normal as possible although it was unlike any summer break we'd ever had.
Baseball tried to give it a go with a super short summer season and it felt amazing to regain a tiny sense of normalcy.
The fam came down to visit and I was a terrible picture taker during their week with us but I know we fit in fun!
July brought a long awaited VACAY!! We drove ourselves to 30A and rented an adorable house with the Vaughn Fam in Santa Rosa. Prior to meeting your dad, I didn't think the US had nice beaches outside of Maui. Then he took me to Sarasota and I thought Siesta Key was the one nice beach we had to boast. Then I saw the beaches at 30A and wondered where they had been all my life!!?!! You kids were ready to enjoy them immediately!
We got home from an amazing vacation just in time to have a little surgery. Jax, you had to get your wisdom teeth removed. You were a true champion but this is the only picture I documented.
Colt, I tried to fill your birthday with your favorite activities in the hopes that Covid protocols wouldn't rain on your double digit day! First up was pedicures with Grandma!
Then you took a friend to a local trampoline park.
And your day ended with a yummy dinner and a sweet cake made by sweet Kate.
We still did our annual Back2School triple date. This time we just made sure we stayed outside on the patio.
And then your school district made the last minute decision to start the new school year on the virtual platform again. We were bummed, to say the least. Dad still took your first day of school picture for me since I had to report to my classroom just to sit alone on my computer. ::eye roll::
We had our annual Labor Day party and it was seriously one of the best moments of the year. I think we were all just SO appreciative to be together!!
We returned to in person learning after Labor Day but things still didn't feel right. For starters, THIS is what classrooms looked like:
In better news, returning to school meant returning to sports! Covid did cause seasons to be shortened, new rules to be put into place, and you were often short players since people kept getting quarantined left and right. Jax, you wanted to do it all - and, first up, was tackle football!
Colt, you got back to baseball.
Jax, you played for the Celtics soccer club again.
So thankful to someone for capturing your reaction after your very first touchdown. It's hard to see, but you were PUMPED!
There is no archery team, but you and Braxton did go try the sport at a local range.
Colt, you had soccer too!
Jax, you tried out for the kicker position and got to play in this fun spot when you weren't playing slot receiver.
We had so many practices and games that Halloween was upon us before we knew it!
November brought a new sport as you made it your goal to be a "5 Sport Athlete" at school. That means you participate in every sport offered to 7th graders and that also means you have to run cross country!
November also brought a new look for you, Colton. Your smile after braces is pure perfection and you are seriously amazing at wearing your retainers without any reminders!
We snuck away for one more trip during Thanksgiving Break. This time, to Broken Bow, Oklahoma. We rented a huge cabin with both the Vaughns and the Haryckis and spent a few days playing games, hiking, hot tubbing, and having Friendsgiving.
New month? New sport. This time is was basketball. Basketball wasn't technically "new" as you did play 1 season when you were in Kindergarten but you told us you didn't like it because the uniforms didn't have sleeves so we never signed you up again. But, thanks to that 5 Sport Athlete goal of yours, you tried out and we were surprised to learn that you made the A team (the Division I team at the middle school level). Your first game was exciting! But it was also where we learned that you aren't nearly as rough as the other A team players and you're way too nice to the players you defend so you were moved to the Divison II team after this game.
We stuck with our normal Christmas traditions as the year came to a close.
And we welcomed two new furry friends on Christmas morning thanks to Santa. Hi Crash & Bandicoot!
We celebrated Dad's birthday with Grandpa and Grandma and his very favorite cake.
On NYE, we had a double family date and went axe throwing. With each throw, I envisioned the target as the year 2020 and tried to throw my axe just right to destroy it!
While 2020 was stinky in many ways and I'm still confused by what's going on - it was also super special and helped us make memories that I hope to never forget. The family time was truly priceless and I enjoyed the slower pace, even if it was literally forced upon us.
There are no other people I'd rather be mandated to stay home with than y'all!
