We never thought we’d still be in social isolation by now, so many weeks later (we’re going on a hundred days!) Nor would we have imagined that we’d survive it for this long. It’s definitely been touch and go at times, and one of the hardest times of our lives.
We’ve been happy to be able to spend most of our time outside these days, since that’s the easiest place to keep everyone happy at the same time. May was a mix of cold and hot, but there’s been lots of water play with the heat we’ve had recently, and we still get out for many bike rides. Isaac has found a couple trees to climb, but we have stuck mostly to the backyard.
While we’ve been pretty isolated for what seems like a long time, our bubble has expanded a bit out of necessity. Jon has started working outside of the house, doing lighting installations on houses again now that the restrictions have lifted slightly. So we had to hire a babysitter in order for Lindy to get a few hours of work in (and stay somewhat sane, let’s be honest). It was a huge stress reliever at first, but everyone’s situation is fluid these days and things keep changing. She had to cut back her hours, just when Lindy needed more hours to keep up with the workload. A zoom meeting with our daycare made it seem like an impossible situation even once they are able to reopen with all the restrictions and new policies that will be in place. Luckily a neighbour gave us another name, and we’ve now hired a new nanny that will hopefully carry us through until September when Isaac goes to school.
We are still debating sending Isaac back to daycare earlier now that they’ve announced their opening date, since we’ll have the nanny at home with Cadence and Asher, so she could help with the (possibly many) days when Isaac can’t attend daycare due to some symptom or another of illness…still to be determined. He’s in desperate need of the company of other 4 year olds! We’ve started having the odd neighbour playdate here and there, but he’s noticeably more upset having to hang out with the toddlers every day. So we might give Isaac a shot at daycare. We’ve already had to get Cadence tested for Covid19 after a few days of fever and vomiting – and luckily the test came back negative. Soon to be a routine check I’m sure. It was the first time any of the kids have been sick since the pandemic started three months ago!
Cadence can put on her rain boots, and get herself half dressed. Asher shakes his head no, and can now say “bum”. They are both very interested in practicing to do up their buckles and put lids on and off their water bottles etc. They are also developing some serious toddler opinions! Isaac is getting very good at recognizing letters and has started practicing spelling and writing his name. He’s really into science experiments and learning new facts about animals and space. Isaac’s newest saying is “for real life!” They all give each other hugs now which is super cute (when they aren’t fighting of course).
It has been an emotional roller coaster in our house, and we are looking forward to phase two – with a few more people to hug, splash pads opening and larger-small gatherings allowed. Isaac often asks when the pandemic will be over, and has expressed himself quite maturely when having a meltdown one day, that it is “just very hard when I can’t see my friends!” Lindy and Jon are also noticing the impact of zero breaks away, and most of all, no sailing! It is hard to imagine a summer without being on the water weekly.
At least the cottage has been an exciting relief for the kids. A change of scenery goes a long way! With help from Oma and Opa, and Uncle Greg and Charlene, we have managed to get the cottage ready for renters. Our first renters squeaked in for the weekend just after Ontario’s short term rental ban was lifted, and the cottage is booked solid for the summer again. We look forward to our holidays there in July, with hopefully a less stressful pace without work requirements lingering on our minds all the time…just having to focus on keeping these monkeys within arms reach!
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