August 2020

   Summer is certainly flying by!  Here's a glimpse of some of our August Activities:

Chilling in the family room :)

VBS in a Bag, courtesy of Aunt Sissa's church was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon:

Progress on the basketball court:

Working from home, and feeling very fortunate to have a nice set-up to get things done. (The little folders were made by the girls while playing "work" on a day when I was on campus - usually every Monday.  I can't decide if I think this is cute or sad...)

Too much sleepover fun (@ The Deshane's) means mandatory nap time, even when you are 10!

Last summer The William's took our girls to the Franklin County Fair, and Stella and Claire talked about it for days.  When we learned the fair would be cancelled this year, we started making plans to create our own backyard fair for them.  The Austin's pitched in too, and it was a really fun afternoon, complete with fair food - the fried dough was my fav!

Adults @ the County Fair, COVID Edition!
(Grammie & Pa also joined in the fun, but left before this pic was taken)

Claire was all about the face painting, and was able to convince nearly everyone to take part in the fun!

Dueling food stands! 

                                                                 

The girls planned games and prized for weeks, and while it wasn't the same as actually being at the fair, it was probably a lot more relaxing for the grown-ups!  The beautiful summer weather was a welcomed bonus too!

Stella hosting "Dinner Out" at Claire's sleepover with Makala

Afternoon Game-Time with Daddy while Stella is off with the neighbors

In late August I took a Wednesday afternoon off from work.  This has been a strange summer, with no real vacation.  The girls and I hiked Azure Mountain, and I took them to Donnelley's for the first time.  If you're not local, this is a quaint little Ice Cream Shop in Saranac Lake.  They use an ancient soft serve machine, and feature only one twist flavor variety each day.  Our day was chocolate, which I had hoped Stella would enjoy.  Unfortunately the girls didn't love it as much as I did, but they can say they've been now!  When we got home we decorated the house for fall, and finished cleaning out items for the upcoming community-wide back-to-school sale being hosted at the arena.  We've appreciated this opportunity to share some of what the girls have outgrown.

Climbing this fire tower was a little out of my comfort zone but the girls loved it!

As we prepare for a new school year, both adults and kids, we have new things on our to-do list.  Such as buying enough masks for everybody to get through the week, and planning for as little in-person contact as possible.   Here's a little bling we put together at work to help.

 

 

During Summer at home it has felt like Direct Marketing companies have exploded!  We've received two hauls and are waiting on two-more.  I need a break from these online parties now though!

Visiting Springs Park on an afternoon they spent with Miss Katy while daddy played golf:

The start of the school year is just around the corner, and there's more uncertainty in our lives than ever before.  Right now, we know Claire will be in school four days a week, and Stella two - but we don't know which days those will be.  We sort of have child-care worked out, but sort of don't.  It feels so uneasy to know in 10 days school will begin and we know so little of what our routine will be.  Right now, we are figuring things out week-by-week, which is tough when you are a "planner"!  Fortunately we have a great network of family and friends, and faith that things will work out.  We are trying hard to balance optimism with caution with our girls, who are so very looking forward to returning to in-person school.  Our motto for right now is, "be flexible"!  I'm thinking that's the only way any of us can maintain healthy attitudes during these crazy times.