I could go on for a long time about what happened at the Capitol when Trump supporters tried to stop the legislative branch from completing their job concerning the electoral college. I must admit I spent way too much time on the news those few days. But I will only write down what I emphasized to the children. Our elected officials stayed up until 3:30am to get the job done. Many gold stars for Mike Pence in my book.
The first week my children were back in school I got emails saying there had been one Covid case at both the elementary and the middle school. Then we got news our postponed spring break Disney Cruise had been canceled once again. (At least I hadn’t already packed this time.) So, instead of an Eastern Caribbean cruise this spring we are now signed up for an Alaskan cruise this summer. I’m not holding my breath! And honestly, I don’t know why they didn’t cancel sooner with the way numbers were and the vaccine distribution not going as quickly as previously hoped. We handled the disappointment much easier this year. I guess we are getting used to that feeling and well aware it won’t kill us. Perhaps 2020 was an excellent teacher.
It feels so strange to have just the dog and I inside our house one or two days a week. I try to walk her twice while the children are away and give her lots of love but I think she’s pretty bored most of the time I’m running around trying to squeeze every moment into getting things done. My to do list never ceases to amaze me. Some things never end like the dishes and laundry and other random things like setting up to get our old house painted take longer than I would expect. I know “take down the outdoor Christmas lights” was moved on the calendar more than once but got done right before school pick up. Speaking of lights, we had Jellyfish Lighting install permanent holiday lights on the front and back of the house for us and they seem great so far. Almost over the top! I am most excited to use them on Halloween because orange, purple, and black plus the lightning effect looks pretty spooky. The neighbors must have wondered if we lost our minds playing with different options they day they were installed. Actually, I had a neighbor ask what on earth we did. Lol. They must have driven home when we were having our dance party after realizing a setting that made it look like there were disco lights in the play room. Between holidays and birthdays I have something programed for every month of 2021. I’m so excited to spread some extra cheer this year.
Natalie’s trip with a parent happened in January before school began. She and Hubby went to Great Wolf Lodge for one night. Michelle was planning on spending the night with my parents while Kate and Danny and I had some other plans at home she wasn’t interested in (like watching Tenet) but then my mom wasn’t feeling well so Michelle got to go along for the ride! I think it all worked out the way it was supposed to because they had a wonderful time.
I miss my oldest Activity Day girls now that they have moved on to Young Women’s (Michelle is the oldest now) but our new group, including Natalie, are so wonderful to have join us this year. I am looking to spending much more time with these girls in 2021.
I am grateful that even when technology doesn’t work we can still have a lesson and partake of the Sacrament at home. This year Danny will be old enough to receive the priesthood if he chooses and Natalie will be old enough to get baptized as she just announced during at home church that she wanted to when she turns 8. Funny thing was, we weren't even talking about being baptized that Sunday but that's the day she decided. Warmed my heart.
The Goblet of Fire pages we put up with painters tape in March began to fall down in Michelle’s room and Kate decided it was time for all of them to come down. Hubby did a great job helping find paint that matched Michelle’s bedding and adding the special glitter in the paint like I suggested. I simply adore the chocolate frog poster I found to tie it all together and the gold frame helps bring out the sparkle in the paint. Michelle paid her own money to order more chocolate frogs from Orlando and was thrilled when she got four Hogwarts founders cards to add to her poster in the spaces provided. I was impressed Universal Studios sent the frogs overnight in a cooler with an ice pack and only charged $10 shipping. Totally worth it.
The girls discovered Marshmallow loves to dig in the snow! He is such an amazing rabbit.
I always like to watch the Jazz v. Nuggets games with Hubby but it’s even more fun now that the company he works for paid to change the name of the Pepsi Center to Ball Arena. Makes it even more fun to root for the home team for me but honestly, I've been rooting against the Jazz since I was in high school. lol.
Hubby’s Christmas present finally got here and it was worth the wait. Solo stoves are amazing! I don’t know if we’ve ever roasted hot dogs and marshmallows in January before but it was great. Wonderful heat and no smoke in your eyes. With this thing around we may be cooking over a fire a lot more in the future.
With a three day weekend we opted to go down to the Denver Zoo after buying a membership. I had seen in the news the pandemic has really put a financial crunch on them being able to properly feed and care for the animals so thought it was time to hand over some money and it would give us something to do outside since I cannot seem to get the children to go hiking with me in the winter. It was so cold! I promised we wouldn't be back until this summer. lol. I had said we should watch the movie 42 and talk about MLK Day with the children but it turned out Michelle still had dance class and Kate still had strength and conditioning training so that didn't go as planned but I'm sure we will get to it eventually.
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