Is it really a holiday during a pandemic? But it was a much needed break from work-think after over 3 months of no breaks between work and childcare. We had two fantastic weeks at the cottage at the beginning of July, with company almost every day. We discovered the beach works fairly well for distance visits, and were even able to have people stay overnight in the trailer a few times.
Isaac’s swimming ability improved drastically over our two week stay, and he is now starting to dive off the raft and likes “squba diving” for shells and “crabs”. He also discovered a love for fishing, catching a big bass on his third cast with a real hook, and then unfortunately catching daddy in the ear a couple days later… Jon got the ear piercing he always wanted!
Cadence and Asher loved playing on the beach, and as the water warmed up by the end of our stay, they started spending more time floating around and jumping off the raft too! The floating mat was perfect for all ages with lots of time spent running back and forth or balancing on it. Miraculously everyone slept well while we were there, with the three kids in one room and Isaac on the top bunk!
Lindy had one getaway – 24 hours of peace – with some friends at a cottage, mid July. It was great to be away from the routine, and relax in the water with drinks with friends. We did spend most of the time rehashing our pandemic experiences – so it wasn’t a complete retreat from life as we know it, but it was still a much deserved break. Amazing though, how all the patience that was stored up that weekend, was so quickly used up within minutes of being home again…
Isaac started back to daycare after our holidays in July, and loves being back with friends and doing all the stimulating activities again. While the pandemic has many downsides, there are still some benefits too. Drop offs and pick ups at daycare are a breeze now since they do everything for us because we aren’t allowed in the building. Isaac managed to go over a month without being sent home with a symptom – which made us naively optimistic about Cadence and Asher starting at the end of August. They had a great time with their babysitter Amelia for the summer, but also seem excited to be around other kids and have new toys to play with. Unfortunately, they only lasted a day and a half before Cadence got a runny nose and all three kids were sent home for covid tests…shattering our hopes for a smooth transition. However the kids did the tests like champs! And now they are back at daycare and the strategy is to keep them snotty until spring so they don’t have any “new symptoms” to be tested for…fingers crossed.
School is set to start (thank goodness!), albeit slightly later than normal. It will be another trial in expanding the bubble and trying to keep everyone healthy enough to attend. Isaac will be taking the school bus for the first time too! He is very excited about starting kindergarten.
The opening of the parks saved our summer, and trips to different parks became our standard weekend activity. It was shocking how quickly Cadence and Asher became confident in their climbing and sliding skills. Isaac has mastered the monkey bars now too. The backyard had turned into our home daycare, set up with lots of toys, though the favourite toy for all right now is a water spray bottle. We had many bbq/playdates with neighbours too, since they are all in daycare together anyways, so it hasn’t felt as socially isolating these past couple of months.
A month made a huge difference for Cadence and Asher’s general abilities as well. They fall much less now, and aren’t as likely to put small things in their mouths, making supervision less stressful. They love to swim and puddle around in water with their floaties on, making it easier to spend weekends at Oma and Opa’s pool and doing the cottage rental switches. They are starting to talk more, and are able to communicate their needs better now, which helps with the ever growing opinions on what to wear, eat and do. They’ve started potty training, which also led to Cadence refusing to wear diapers periodically. That next step will be another crazy time for sure.
Isaac discovered painting his nails (thanks cousin Lyla!) and also loves to have his face painted. He is already planning Halloween and has started working on his dragon costume with daddy. Conversations with Isaac are getting more interesting these days too, as he develops more understanding of the world. One conversation was – Isaac: Did you know that Grandma and Papa were daddy’s parents? Lindy: Yes, you know that they still are, right? Isaac: Will you still be my parents when I’m an adult? Because I won’t need you when I’m grown up. (This from the kid who acts like the world is ending when we try to leave the house without him…!)
Jon’s work is getting busier and busier. He now drives a work truck home everyday, so we are selling our Mazda since Zavier wasn’t able to take it away to college with him this fall. Lindy is looking forward to working from home without having to hide from the kids, although she sometimes needs to go into the office too. It’s been tiring to have to tip toe around the house so the babies wouldn’t catch a glimpse of mommy and start crying…on one occasion, Lindy had to leave the house in sock feet and run around to the back door to grab shoes left in the kitchen, and try to squeeze them out the patio door before the kids came toddling down to see who was at the door, while Lindy hid mission-impossible-style out of sight clinging to the shoes and waiting for them to be distracted by something else again.
And last but not least, sailing has resumed!! We are so lucky to have a weekly night out on the water, together even! Oma and Opa have been taking care of the kids so that we can get out of the house, our one much needed break! The sailing season started with time trial races, which didn’t feel very competitive at all, but was still wonderful to be sailing. It has changed to real races again, and gives us a moment of normalcy during this never-ending pandemic. 6 months later and we are still in denial about this “new normal” life…
Lots of pictures this time – there are two galleries attached:
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