April 2021

 Easter Fun!  We tried out a new easter egg dying technique at Aunt Patti's suggestion, using bleading tissue paper.  They turned out beautiful! 

Children's Church Easter Trivia!

Stella was given the opportunity to participate in NYSSMA this year and she's been practicing for her solo.

We haven't left the area since Fall so for spring break we decided to get away for a few days.  Since spring came early, we ventured to Green Lakes State Park outside of Syracuse.  This is a meromictic lake in which the deepest waters and the surface don't mix,  resulting in a bluish-green hue. It was our first visit to the park and we enjoyed the hiking tails and learning about this unique and rare type of lake.  We also ventured over to Destiny USA for some shopping and fun.  We tried out a secret spy escape room challenge that was pretty neat, and of course stopped by the Carousel!  While COVID made many things about the weekend getaway a challenge, we all enjoyed ourselves and it felt good to take a trip, even if a short one!

The Hooley's came home for a weekend and that was a nice treat, having everyone together!

A few other things:

Weekly Mask Washing

Snuggling with Lily

Mama saying goodbye to a colleague and friend

While we've been selling product with our Girl Scout troop we haven't engaged in a lot of other kinds of activities this year.  When I saw an online DNA workshop I thought it might be interesting, and it was.  Here the girls extacted DNA from a Strawberry with about 20 other kids from around the country.

Dinner out at St. Larries when
Stella's at a sleepover

Arranging patches on her Brownie Sash

March 2021

In early March school was cancelled for the day due to many teachers recovering from their second COVID vaccine.  It was the perfect opportunity to join the Austins and Williams at Titus for the day.  I have not been on skis since I was in junior high so I was very grateful Reagan was there to help teach Stella and Claire their first time out on skis.

We didn't have a great start at first.  Stella was discouraged when skiing didn't come naturally to her at first and wanted to leave.  Claire and I hadn't even started yet since we were waiting on equipment when Stella got started.  After sitting out for a short while Stella decided to try again and she found her groove.  Claire patiently found control and comfort just after lunch. Both girls had so much fun and we are all looking forward to going again when time allows.

The one year mark is upon us when our lives changed due to the pandemic.  Overall we've been very fortunate - both Randy and I have maintained our steady employment, our small community hasn't seen overwhelmed hospitals or death rates like other parts of New York and the world, and we've been able to dodge quarantine and sickness.  The girls miss their school routine so much though. Despite the circumstances, we've continued to stay busy and were even able to get a small amount of basketball in.  There were no games or  parents allowed, and sanitizer and face masks were required, but the girls were so happy to be back in the gym.  We think daddy was happy about it too! 

Here's a little bit of our monthly happenings:

Making Key Chains

Kitchen Creations

Watching Daddy Coach with Grammie and Pa

Checking out a new library book

100's Day Poster

Silly hair!

 

Back at it!

The weather turned earlier this year which we were all excited about.  After going on a bike road together and seeing all the trash on Buck Avenue the girls headed out to pick some up.  Claire ended up in quarantine for a few days so she did some remote learning outside, and the kids enjoyed a night swing with Dad!

                                                                                                    

February 2021

 As the COVID vaccine becomes available to more and more people, things are starting to feel a little more normal.  This month has felt like the beginning of a turning point, as more and more activities start to open up.  Here are some of the ways we spent our time this month:

SuperBowl Sunday:

Claire started taking piano lessons!

Cookie Season is here!  Drive-by cookies booths to stay COVID compliant are turning out to be a really effective way to sell Girl Scout Cookies!

Gal-entine's Party hosted by some Girl Scout friends:

Claire helped Daddy paint the family room while Stella was at Ayisha's for a sleepover:

Stella made Waffles for brunch On President's Day

 

Outdoor Girl Scout activities: Snow Shoeing at Nicandri and making Snow People at LBSH

 

Dinner Out @ The All-American Pub in our local mall.  It was very quiet, but they seemed happy to be open again!

Pizza Party and sleep-over fun with The Deshanes:

 

Changes are becoming regular now, as COVID becomes more manageable.  Up next in March, Stella gets back into they gym for some hoops.  And Claire just might too!