Anna Grows

Christmas Eve  Christmas 2021 was not like Christmas 2020.  It was also not at pre-COVID levels yet, thanks to yet another COVID variant that wreaked havoc on holiday plans.  What was different?  Well thanks to vaccines, we were at least able to be out and about and attend Christmas Eve Mass, albeit masked.  Unfortunately, the rapid spread of Omicron also meant chaos for travelers with a shortage of COVID tests and hundreds of flight cancellations due to crew shortages.  Theresa had hoped to get together with family for the holidays, but alas it was not to be.   Christmas was a quiet affair at home.  Anna & Theresa attended Christmas Eve mass (Anna sang in the choir).  Joe was under the weather with some sort of bug (we determined it was likely flu based on symptoms.... not that he could get an appointment or test any place).  Storm was also under the weather with an ear infection (Theresa is hoping the medicine she has left will work since the vet is closed).  We enjoyed a seafood

After the choir concert  As we head into Christmas week, there is not a lot of good news on the pandemic front.  Omicron is taking over.  Infections are rising as well as hospitalizations.  The Washington, DC area is no exception, with one Maryland county sending students home early for winter break and planning to resume virtual school until at least Martin Luther King Day.  It will not surprise anyone in the Fagella household if the rest of the area follows.  For now, Anna is officially on winter break for two weeks (yea) with plans for a quieter, more socially distance Christmas BUT with more activities than last year. In between watching COVID numbers increase, it was a busy week.  Highlights included the following: Anna had her winter choir concert on Wednesday (once again - choir was in masks as was the audience). Our neighbor Jackie joined us for a fun show.  Anna was also excited to learn the choir is planning to resume the spring choir trip, albeit more limited (and dependent

Granite Heights Winery  The Christmas season is ramping up....and so is COVID.  Like many, we are trying to do the things we can (wearing masks in public, hand washing, booster shots, etc....) so we can go about our lives and enjoy some of the festivities that we missed last year. One thing we were able to enjoy was Saturday's performance of The Snowman  by the high school orchestra and choir.  The orchestra played the soundtrack to the movie and the choir sang the featured song.  It was a family event (and fundraiser for the music program) including crafts for the kids and a visit with Santa (played by the theater teacher).  Anna spent Friday after school helping to decorate the halls with hundreds of snowflakes, tinsel, lights, and trees (it was quite festive).  Everyone was masked, there was limited capacity in the auditorium, and social distancing with Santa, BUT it was a great performance and a good time by all.  Here are some other highlights from the week: Saturday afternoon

Theresa at the "Santa Spin" class  Just when you start to think things are improving, you get a reminder that the pandemic is not yet over.  This week the omicron variant appeared in the U.S. just in time for the holidays.  Everyone is waiting for researchers to determine how contagious it is, but let's face it.... we are not putting away our masks and hand sanitizer any time soon.   Meanwhile, the school continues to send out vaccine and COVID testing reminders.  Starting Monday, the local libraries will be distributing free rapid COVID tests for at home use.  The pandemic continues. On the plus side, the holiday season this year is very different from last year.  Anna is looking forward to The Snowman  concert this Saturday morning with her high school choir and orchestra.  There were definitely no concerts last year!  Breakfast with Santa was held this year in the neighborhood, albeit outside (and breakfast was Anita's breakfast burrito food truck, which is quite d