October 4-10

It felt like Fall this week. Cooler weather and it’s getting dark earlier. It was a long 5 day school week but we are gradually settling into our routine.

It’s weird without gymnastics in our life, but we’ve talked about it and Ally wants to stay on break from it for a while longer. We think this is wise and her gym is in complete agreement that her mental and emotional health should be her focus right now and the gym will be there to welcome her back whenever she is ready. 

Sunday we took Cloey to the 8th grade social. 

Don’t our pumpkins look great?

Not too many kids this week so it was a bit of a bust. But they did play badminton for a while.

We got “ghosted” by one of Ally’s friends.

Sunday night Minecraft.

Becky started in her new office location on Monday morning. 

Cloey is a big fan. She gets to sleep on our bed with her favorite person Becky near by all day long.

I started a puzzle.

Ally tried to walk Daisy on the leash again.

It didn’t go very well...Daisy figured out how to escape from the harness.

Tuesday - a very happy girl because we let her get Snap Chat this week. She had been afraid to ask us but finally did and after some serious conversation and rules she wrote down and signed she was “snap” ready. 

Snapchat has become the primary source of communication for her peer group. We are not thrilled that she has it but we also know how important peer communication is especially during this Pandemic and so with some conditions we let Ally get it.

Ally went kayaking with some friends from school.

Wednesday night cuddles with Cloey

Thursday morning snuggles with Daisy

I finished the puzzle. Yes. I did all 500 pieces all by myself. It’s a first for me.

Thursday at Track. They are playing “Ultimate”.

Friday lunch break. Ally is feeding Daisy a piece of  chicken from her soup.

Ally and I got our flu shots! 

And our backpack carrier arrived for Cloey.

Becky was skeptical it would work.

But it turns out Cloey liked being in the carrier and even let Ally wear her.

Ally was delighted.

On Saturday we baked and cooked all day long:

1) chicken soup

2) banana bread

3) cookies

4) waffles from scratch

5) sourdough bread from scratch 

6) meatloaf

7) roasted carrots

Ally’s friend Daniela’s mom contracted COVID-19 and her mom and little sister who also tested positive left town to stay with their Grandma who is also positive. That left Daniela and her middle sister Nina at home in Cambridge quarantined for 14 days!

I brought them some food on Thursday, but today was Daniela’s 14th birthday. 

Ally was grossed out by the egg for the cookies.

But she scooped the dough.

Cuddled with Daisy while the cookies baked.

Tasted them to make sure all was well to bring some to Daniela.

Soup, banana bread, cookies and apple cider for the quarantining group.

And a birthday gift delivery.

We stayed in our car and said hello and happy birthday to Daniela.

Back at home we had dinner together, a rare occasion for us. Some nice conversation and time together to end the week. 

September 27 - October 3 2020

Roller coaster of emotions this week as the reality of our current life situation set in. Remote learning is not easy for teachers, students or parents. We did our best to cope with the reality and find some joy along the way.

It’s always a good start to the day when Ally can snuggle with both pets in bed.

We ordered a Taco Tuesday box from a local market and eat tacos all week.

The look. I can’t even remember what Becky said. But it was something gross or silly to get that look.

Ally loves the futon / couch on the 3rd floor in her study nook.

Thursday was Maya’s birthday and the girls met up at our local park for pizza lunch. Above is from Ally’s TikTok.

For her birthday instead of a party bc COVID Maya’s parents sent her on a scavenger hunt. She was driven around town stopping at friend’s house. Each friend gave Maya a flower and a written memory of their friendship. Pretty neat. 

Amazing sunset on my way to pick Ally up from track.

She’s playing in the field. Hard to see her.

Another look. She really did not want to stop playing on her phone and get ready for school.

But look how gorgeous she is. All ready for school on Friday.

Saturday went to a local farm to pick pumpkins. And get some seasonal photos. 

Ummmmm lots of pumpkins. 







So many pumpkins. 12 actually. Some for Beth but most were ours.

Then Beth helped us move furniture around. We relocated Becky’s remote teaching space to our bedroom. All week I was getting a headache listening to 7th grade math lessons and Becky was feeling embarrassed because we would heckle her. 

Her Zoom look.

Ally is really not enjoying school. This remote learning is really challenging.