Summer 2020 Recap

 

I picked only 10 photos to give a little recap of our summer.  The days felt like they were dragging on but now that it's autumn I wonder where those summer days went.  Isn't it funny how time feels like it goes fast and slow all at the same time?  Even through Covid-19 and all the restrictions we did our best to make summer as normal as possible for the kids; however, we did enjoy sleeping in and lounging around in our pajamas until the late afternoon.  We grew comfortable with being lazy and spent a lot of time snuggling together, having extra video game and screen time as usual ... and that was all okay with me.  I felt my emotions crashing down and, well, I had already discussed that previously.  I enjoyed those lazy days.  Now that it's fall we are back to being busy, busy, busy and even though summer ended yesterday morning I miss it already.  

So in the picture recap we have as follows:

Kids feeling super excited that playgrounds finally opened back up.  

Father's Day mini golfing.

Saying goodbye to our pastor in a retirement parade.

The spring baseball season was put on hold and turned into a summer season instead.  

Since boy scout camp was cancelled the kids decided to camp in the backyard together.  The girl didn't enjoy it and didn't get any sleep.  

The kids were so happy when their dad made a slip and slide.  

Eyeglasses needed for the girl.  

A day trip to Sandy Point, Maryland.

Girl turns 9.

Finished the season with a trip to Chincoteague Island, Virginia.  

Chincoteague, Virginia

 Last week we went on a three day getaway to Chincoteague Island, Virginia.  I felt a little rebellious traveling during this "pandemic" but between you and me I don't see it as being as bad as they make it out to be.  It's sad how much this virus is being politicized but we aren't going to talk about that.  This week the kids go back to school and I go back to work so we wanted a chance to get away for a bit and give the kids something different and fun to do.  We all love the beach and we kept it a surprise until the night before.  My daughter said, "Well, that was unexpected."  They were both so happy to get away and have no fear of the water.  This was the first time any of us had visited this beach and it's become our favorite.  

Chincoteague is a cute island with a lot of different beach themed shops along the road.  Of course, we bought a box of saltwater taffy, some t-shirts, coffee mugs and a shot glass for me, and magnets.  It seems everywhere we go we collect coffee mugs and shot glasses and refrigerator magnets.  The beach was filled with people but not as crowded as Virginia Beach or Ocean City.  There's no boardwalk so I guess that's what keeps the traffic down.  The area is also known for wild horses and we did spot a few in the distance.  We also saw a few dolphins and lots of cranes and seagulls.  

We stayed at a Hampton Inn and this was our backyard.  A nice area where we enjoyed eating our continental breakfast.  

We took a little hike to the lighthouse.  

But spent most of the time at the beach.  I wore my sunhat and loaded up with sunscreen but still managed to get a sunburn on my back.  With all of this skin cancer I've been dealing with I try so hard to protect myself but I love the summer and I love the sun and I love the beach soooooooo ... 

We also bought the kids a few boogie boards and I was surprised with how much they loved it, especially my daughter who is usually afraid of stuff like that.  These kids had absolutely no fear of being in the water and jumping and swimming through the currents.  

We're already planning a trip for next summer.  Thank you Chincoteague Island, you were fun and we were sad to leave!!

She Has Glasses!

 

My daughter started complaining about her eyes and how words were blurry when she tried to read.  This seemed to come suddenly and after a trip to the eye doctor it was clear that she was having issues and needed eye glasses.  My husband and I are both in our forties and have yet to need glasses so it wasn't something I was expecting for my children.  She loves wearing them and they look great on her.  

School starts in a few weeks and even though things are going to start out very differently than previous years we are going to embrace the change as best as we can.  I'm grateful this school district is providing several different options and we have decided to send the kids for all 5 days.  As much as I hate they have to wear face masks all day my husband and I both believe it's imperative that they have as much normalcy as possible.   I have often thought of how fun homeschooling would be but these kids need to be in school.  They like being out of the house and among friends and teachers.  It's good for them.  With school also starts the dance season and fall baseball.  Our schedules are going to be extremely busy, rushing from one place to another.  So, for the next two weeks we are gong to enjoy the last of our down time.  

A Beach Trip and A Birthday

 The last time I wrote I was struggling very badly.  The point of my blog is not only to practice writing but to share my experiences, both good and bad.  I'm real and honest, opened to share my vulnerability, because who knows who is reading this that may feel they are alone in their own battles.  My depression is always there; sometimes it hides behind a smile and some laughter, but it's a struggle I deal with every moment of every day.  Some days I'm good at pushing it on the back burner as I go through the motions of the day and other times I just can't focus at all.  Lately, I've lost that focus completely and the desire to do anything.  I knew I couldn't keep going on that way, especially with being a mother, so I called my doctor and went back on medicine.  I'm feeling better, at least enough to get through the days.  

I'm not going to keep focused on that, though.  Now onto happier things.  

Last Thursday we took a day trip to a beach along the Chesapeake Bay.  We've been to this beach a few times before and it's only a two hour drive for us so it's easy to make it a day trip.  As we drove the rain started pouring down and I felt such nervousness about continuing the journey.  I tried to convince my husband to turn around because according to the radar on my phone the rain was going to hit Maryland all day.  He insisted we keep going and make the best of it.  I kept checking my phone to see if the radar was changing and also the beach's website to see if they were going to close as I silently prayed that God could allow a good day for us.  Later I found out my husband and both kids were also praying at the same time ... and God eventually listened.  When we arrived at the beach it was still raining and the guy at the gate said the sand and water area was closed but we could still go in and wait it out.  We sat in the car and ate our picnic lunch and watched as the rain got lighter.  The beach opened and we headed to the sand.  It was still drizzling but we had fun walking along the shore, dipping our feet into the water and being careful of all the jellyfish that passed by.  We were the only ones on the beach for a long time.  Eventually the rain stopped and some people came but it wasn't packed and we were able to stay distant from others.  It turned out to be a great day.  

My daughter just celebrated her ninth birthday over the weekend.  The years are flying by and I'm so afraid if I blink I'm going to miss out on something.  She's a strong and feisty one, who knows what she wants and demands she gets it.  She's also super sweet and affectionate and is always asking me to snuggle with her.  She's a mini version of myself but I truly hope that she goes further in life than I could have ever imagined.  She's going into the fourth grade and feeling nervous about moving up to a grade that will be more challenging.  Academically she struggles and always needs a push to get motivated but I know she's going to do great things with her future.  Getting ready to start her sixth year of dance she is now in what they call the "performance division" and is also in her first year of competitive dance.  We'll see how that goes.  The start of the school and dance year is going to look a lot different than what we're used to, thanks Covid, but we will embrace the changes and do what we can to make sure she stays on track with everything.  I'm so blessed to have this little girl in my life and what an honor it has been to be her mother.  

We weren't planning to have a party for her this year but she wanted one.  She understood the importance of keeping it small so she only invited three friends.  The rain kept us inside but she had a blast and loved the company and all of the gifts.  Here's to an amazing ninth year, Princess!