Halloween in Quarantine

When I found out my Covid test was positive, I knew that meant the kids were going to be home on a close contact quarantine for Halloween. What a let down. They had their costumes and all of the Halloween cheer with nowhere to go with it. We (Dave) made the best of it, I stayed in bed most of the day, Dave carved pumpkins with them and they put their outfits on for a quick photo op and then took them off to get cozy and stay in. Again, we had a steady stream of gifts and love and support from neighbors and friends and family. We will certainly be paying the COVID KINDNESS forward when we are out of the quarantine. I am free to emerge on Monday 11/9 and the kids are allowed to go back two weeks after their last real contact with me, which will be Friday 11/13.

Get will soon messages from Pip. 

Get well soon cards from Greta.

My sweet unicorns. 

Sweet trio.

See you all next year! 

Unicorns and Richard Best

Halloween in Quarantine. 

Piper turns 5!

Piper turned 5! Unfortunately it coincided with a quarantine Dave and I were on for a close contact, which turned into me feeling terrible on her birthday. I actually kept the kids home from school because I knew I needed a COVID test. So, we spent Piper's birthday morning at testing site, me in an N-95 mask to prevent exposure to the kids. 

Piper had a great day in spite of it all, she had a constant train of gift drop offs, treats, balloons, and smiles. We are so lucky to have such thoughtful family and friends. 

Piper is the sweetest little sister. We love her humor, wit, bravery, and tender heart. We are so lucky she is ours. 

Oh, and I tested positive for COVID, this is the beginning of a long road.

Birthday pancakes. 

Covid testing line. 

Sweet Pip. 

Double decker birthday cake by daddy and Greta. 

So excited for the birthday girl. 

We Voted Early.

I took the oppportunity this year to vote with Sully. Greta has been on a quarantine for a close contact at school, so Sully and I were able to drive to school by ourselves for about a week. We talked on the way to school about voting and who was running for office and why it was so important. We had planned to vote on Friday afternoon togeher. I happened to capture this photo in the monrning on 10/16 when the weather had changes significantly and at dropoff, these big beautiful snowfalkes fell. Sully asked me to snap a photo to show Greta. When we arrived at the polls, we had to wait in line for probably close to an hour, it was cold outside, but the line moved as quickly as it could. Sully was so sweet. When he isn't wanting to watch video games or play them, he instantly turns into my little boy again. He so innocently asked "so mom, will both of the people who want to be president be inside that building?" My heart melted. The woman at the office gave him a specific job, he followed directions precisely and was happy to be on the adventure with me.

Grandma Banana gets a new knee.

Maggie, Liz and I were on the schedule for months in anticipation of my mom's upcoming knee surgery. We had tv shows, meals, shifts, and nothing but time for our mom. The time for surgery was finally here on 10/7 and to say she rocked the process is an understatement. She was home and moving and doing her exercises as instruced and she absoulutely wowed her PT, PA, and doctor. She had a minor setback becuase she couldn't tolerate some of the pain medication, but once we worked out those issues, the road to recovery wasn't too long. 

It was fun to be with her, to care for her like she has cared for me all of these years. We got to cook and clean for her, read to her at bedtime, refill her ice, and to make sure she was on the right track. 

Next up is the next knee and we get to do it all over again, I secretly can't wait...thanks to Dave for running the homefront while I was away.

Back away, walker! 

Showing off, this is 48 hours after surgery. 

Bedtime stories. 

Nap time for Maggie and mom. 

Front porch visitors.