Out with those teeth!

This week both Olivier and Anna lost teeth.  Olivier had one fall out and Anna had three pulled to make space as part of the braces journey.  They are all doing well and the tooth fairy hasn't gone broke yet!  

We have been carefully watching the COVID numbers in our community with a slight increase in the cases, and it makes us anxious.  The employee at my work who tested positive has a partner at home who has now also tested positive, along with their six week old baby.  There have been so many ups and downs that it is hard when we hear that people aren't being as safe.  Knowing that there is a desire to do more but being careful to weight that with the risks.  

I have continued the nightly walks and I won't lie and say that the time change make my walks suck.  The extra light after dinner to walk when it is still light out is very nice.  

The country continues to push for change with regard to equity.  Recently there was a shooting in Georgia where the shooter killed eight people, six of them were Asian women.  My memories from four years ago were from events where we voiced our disapproval of gun legislation in our country, and yet it continues.  And not acknowledging the racial aspect of this shooting denies the decades of hate that has been directed to the Asian community, included from the President of our county up until earlier this year.  How quickly people forget his disregard of their value.  I remember learning about internment camps during world war two and thinking I must have a made up story as a kid, but no.  And even as a kid I knew that was wrong.  We must talk about the issues and face the pain if we want to change the path ahead.  

The week ahead will continue those discussions and I am happy the schools are discussing the subject also so the kids can hear it beyond our perspective and discussions.  The boys will be remote learning this week due to parent teacher conferences and Anna will be on campus.  And Friday they start spring break.  Just when we think we have a schedule sorted our there is yet another change.  

Vaccines, school, exposure and Leprechauns

The time change last weekend made this last week seem really long as we were all a little more tired but a lot happened too which I am sure added to the tired feeling.  On Monday I was able to get my first COVID vaccine!  And Matt is scheduled to get his first dose this coming week.  We both work in categories that are eligible and we are grateful to be able to get scheduled.  I had no reaction other than relief to finally get a dose!

Anna also started junior high on campus on Monday.  It was a new campus, and lots of new rules for traffic flow on campus which had even the older kids a bit confused.  She was able to work her way around without too much issue and had a good day.  On Tuesday she had an orthodontist appointment and found out that three teeth need to be pulled.  Bummer!  The braces are moving along well though so we take the bummer news along with the good news.  

Matt had long days on Wednesday and Thursday getting someone trained.  And Friday all three kids were in virtual learning.  We are doing lots of adjusting but keeping things rolling.  We got a notice Friday afternoon that there was someone on the junior high campus who tested positive but did not have close contact with anyone.  Saturday I found out someone at work isn't feeling well and awaiting test results.  And Sunday we found out that someone close to us tested positive.  It has our nerves a bit frayed but we continue to be very cautious and continue to hope that we will say in the clear.  And our hearts go out to those who are sick, even if they don't feel sick.  We send them our love and support for minimal impact of this virus.

In more fun news, the City parks and rec department had a fun Leprechaun lost activity that involved solving clues and going around the town to find the Leprechaun.  The final spot thought the event was over so they took down their sign (oops!, it runs until March 31st) but we still completed the hunt.  It was nice to be out and walking.  Sunny and cool day, just right for the start of spring!

Things are changing and looking back to one year ago

On Monday the boys started their hybrid learning schedule.  It brings a lot of mixed emotions but we are focusing on keeping positive, and reaching out to those who aren't in the same session, class, or learning format to ensure they maintain friendships.  

On Wednesday and Thursday it was raining on and off but they were still able to work around that getting on and off the school campus.  

On Friday I took Anna to her annual well checkup with the pediatrician and it was a really weird feeling.  We both kept reflecting back to March 13, 2020 which was the Friday things went sideways and we were also at the pediatrician's office for her well check.  This year thankfully I didn't get unending school notices, text messages, and phone calls.  After her appointment last year we stopped by Target to pick up a couple things, and then went to the grocery store to do a final stock up.  I was a very strange time to share with her but I am glad she was able to see some positive things happening too, that the store was crazy but also, people were still polite and kind to each other.  And I couldn't help but wonder about my parents who were in Australia on a cruise.  Wild to think about all these things and the emotions that we were feeling.  And on this Sunday afternoon one year ago I was working, with things changing by the moment.  

We are excited that our parents have received their first vaccine doses.  Although we have a long way to go, we are happy that there are positive things to share too!
 

Tomorrow more change happens

This week we have been preparing for the kids to return to partial in person learning.  It is really hard knowing that it won't be a normal schedule, they won't get the full instruction that we all would love for them to be having, it brings greater risk for all of us, and that there are those who desire to make this transition too but are not able to for a number of reasons.  It has been a very emotional week and I am sure the rest of the school year will be as we all work through those factors.  My heart hurts as we each carry so much weight, knowing we must taking it in small steps but remember to not have tunnel vision to ensure others are shoulder to shoulder with us as we work to emerge from this pandemic.  

And in a much needed positive light, on Saturday we saw the new pony!  She was born on Wednesday and was enjoying her first time in the pasture with her mama.  As she ran around, her mama would stay close to ensure she was safe.  It is a feeling that all parents feel and seeing it in the midst of all the heavy emotions make the weight just a bit easier.  

Anna found some of her tiny hoof prints from when when moved them from the stall to the pasture as we arrived.  So tiny and one day she will be as stunning as her mama.  

We are looking forward to the rain coming this week.  It will add some complexity but the refresh will be welcome!
 

Tomorrow more change happens...take two...

For some reason this post got deleted by blogger so I am trying this again and can't say I remember what happened this week as I am typing this more than two months later but there are some things that I do remember.  

On Wednesday a baby horse was born at the barn where Anna rides.  When we arrived Saturday morning we saw them walking from the stalls out to the pasture area.  It was so cute to see it adjust to walking and would randomly buck and get wobbly.  

And we couldn't help but marvel at the tiny hoof prints!  Look at how small they are!  Although keep in mind Anna also has tiny feet!

And tomorrow the boys will be on campus for a three hour window.  It is a change that I am not sure we are ready for but we are trying to take it one step at a time.