Pandemic Week 42: Happy 2021!

We made it to 2021!  Like everything else about the holidays this year, it was quiet.....and we stayed home.  It was the last week of the holiday break for Anna and Theresa managed to take a few hours off here and there.  Here are the highlights of the week:
Enjoying a hike at Riverbend Park

  • Enjoyed a hike at Riverbend park along the Potomac on Wednesday before the rain rolled in (well Joe and Theresa enjoyed it...Anna was as thrilled as she usually is when going on a hike with her parents.
  • Enjoyed some of the new Christmas Games (family members should take note - we will bring Exploding Kittens to our next family gathering).  We also enjoyed Yahtzee.
  • Read Dave Barry's annual Year in Review (you can find it here)  Theresa's favorite quote from the review: In the past, writing these annual reviews, we have said harsh things about previous years. We owe those years an apology. Compared to 2020, all previous years, even the Disco Era, were the golden age of human existence. 
  • We stayed in all day on New Year's Day because it was pouring down rain.
  • We enjoyed the 60 degree weather on January 2....and took down the Christmas decorations.
  • Anna had 4 days of swim practice - including a couple of mornings at 6:30 AM (be sure and ask her about the high school practice and the swim headphones).
  • Anna kicked off the girl scout cookie season (thank you to everyone who already purchased cookies).

There were no big pronouncements for 2021 - other than we hope it is better than 2020.  So far, major success will be a return to in-person school for Anna....whenever that is.  While we have hope, we know there will be challenges - particularly over the next couple of months.  In the words of the band Florence and the Machine, it's always darkest before the dawn.  Happy New Year!  We hope to see people in person.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Swimming with the Lakevale Dolphins

Image
The Swim Gang - Leo, Aidan, Megan & Anna Tonight Anna completed her third season with the Division II Lakevale Dolphins.  It was a great season for Anna as she improved her strokes and her times and made it to the "A"team to compete at Saturday meets.  It was an educational season for Joe and Theresa, who learned the ins and outs of life as swim team parents. The neighborhood swim team is the hub of neighborhood social activity in the summer.  There are events throughout the season, including Friday night pep rallies, and Sunday night fund events that include such things as the neighborhood scavenger hunt, laser tag night, bingo night, and even a team night at the Washington Nationals game.  In between the fun is the seriousness of the swimming, and there are definitely some top notch swimmers on the team. Anna with her lollipop for getting a "personal best" time Kids are motivated by different things. Some kids love to race.  Other kids try to beat
Read more

Camp Coles Trip & June Birthdays

Image
Anna at Girl Scout Camp Anna just returned from a fun-filled week at Girl Scout camp.  This year she was old enough to go to Camp Coles Trip, which is on a bay area off of the Potomac River.  This is a water camp, so she spent her days on the bay learning to paddle board and sail along with kayaking. Girl Scout Camp is definitely roughing it.  The camp is in the woods and girls stay in platform cabins with screens.  Anna shared a cabin with 4 other girls.  Mosquito netting is very important at night.  The only electricity is at the dining hall, health center, and activity building.  The girls are also responsible each day for doing "kapers" or chores.  They take turns helping serve meals, cleaning the bathrooms, and general clean-up.  They are also responsible for keeping track of their own things and carrying their bags. Anna had a fantastic time, despite the lack of modern conveniences, and is already planning her return next year.  She made new friends and her favo
Read more

Thanksgiving in New Jersey

Image
The Fagella family (or part of the Fagellas) celebrated Thanksgiving this year in Northern New Jersey thanks to James.  Since James was house sitting for his boss, they were very generous in letting us use their large home in their absence for a Thanksgiving celebration.  We joined Aunt Loren, Aunt Mary, James and Sundance for a Thanksgiving feast.  We could have easily fed another 20 people with all of the food, which meant lots of leftovers.  We also celebrated Aunt Mary's birthday (November 22) and Aunt Loren's (November 27) with a homemade coconut cake courtesy of James. Joe carving the turkey with his assistants. The festivities continued the next day when James hosted 22 of his high school friends for his annual Friendsgiving dinner.  Anna was kindly invited to attend the event.  Since she has attended previous dinners, she already knew many of James' friends.  Once again, the amount of food was staggering with everyone bringing a dish. Aunt Mary and Aunt Loren have c
Read more