It's time to say goodbye to 2020 and hello to the new year, whatever it may bring us. Since summer wrapped up, we've experienced a strange blend of new and mundane. You may have read about some of it in our 2020 Holiday Card. To quote Inigo Montoya, "Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up."
We started fall navigating the newness of the kids' virtual curricula and attempting to fill a school day's worth of time. (I'm chronicling our experiences separately here.) I think we've settled into something that works, since it lets me concentrate on my job during the day, with occasional check-ins with the kids. Iris still gets through her stuff too quickly, and I have to redirect her toward "school stuff" occasionally. Same old, same old by now. Same wake-up time, same views, same irritations (hence the "mundane").
Our newest family excitement has been Nick starting his own law firm in November. The pieces fell into place and the time felt right. It's been awkward trying to get things done during a pandemic, but done they are and he is open for business.
We let Iris join the local Y's swim team late this fall. They had the covid precautions in place to make us feel comfortable with the situation, and it allows her to interact with other people and puts her endless supply of energy to good use. We had the opportunity to see her "race" for the first time at an intra-team time trial last Sunday (with a masked, socially distanced, close-family-only audience). Despite being among the youngest, she's pretty speedy and clearly has some natural talent.
We also decided to shake things up with the holidays. Thanksgiving was spent alone at home, with video chats with family (with varying levels of technical difficulties).
We decided to do family presents on the Winter Solstice instead of Christmas morning. We had a nice family dinner, gave gifts (the kids picked out and bought their own presents for each other - so proud!), and played a family game. I've long felt that the kids haven't truly appreciated their presents when they get so many from us and grandparents during three events over two days. I think this is a tradition I'd like to build on next year. This was the first year that we included Felix on a view of our traditional Christmastime movie, Stalag 17. We've been watching it for 10+ years and learn something new each time.
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| The gifts for each other were a hit. |
While we couldn't go to any sporting events this year, we could at least be present in one way at Badger games:
We quietly bid 2020 goodbye, staying up until 11 watching Pixar movies before the ball drop. Nick & I felt a blackberry merlot was more appropriate than anything bubbly: a locally made wine, dark with a hint of sweetness (seeing as we had some good amidst the gloom and didn't go anywhere...). We'll save the foreign bubbles for tonight, to encourage 2021 to be a good year. 🍾
What we're looking forward to:
- Cara: getting vaccinated against covid, the next presidency, spending time with people in person, summer ball, traveling again, finishing my Spanish Duolingo course (halfway done!).
- Nick: echoes many of Cara's sentiments, but includes getting his business going, having baseball/softball seasons for the kids, having a drink with a friend occasionally.
- Felix: the vaccine being out and being able to socialize safely, being able to go back to school and be with friends.
- Iris: "Getting over with this whole year, because this year has kinda been a mess."
