new years eve

 Bowl-a-Roll for New Year's Eve - Covid style - plastic, glove to pick up a bowling ball, mask on, etc.

over xmas break

look at that tooth . . . looks like a ski slope

trying to fix the dishwasher . . . can it be put back together?

beautiful, delicious homemade sourdough bread

hike in ATV area off Field Street

 

ice skating over xmas break

Bill Gray's Ice Complex - Ice Skating with friends over Christmas break

 

not a white christmas

 Christmas day came and not really any snow on the ground. Ambrose scooped up what little snow we had and made these snowmen (complete with carved head).

christmas concert

 Zoom concert with the Submarine School of Music. The plus other relatives out of state got to watch and hear the boys perform. The con we had to 'prerecord' the performances and not listen to them live.

best new runner

 Ambrose was awarded the 'best new runner' for Cross Country at McQuaid. He has really found a 'home' running. What an incredible experience to watch your son do something that he seems born to do and really enjoy it.

ugly christmas sweater

Ugly Christmas sweater day at school. We thought about buying at the store but were a bit turned off of the prices. Instead we went to Goodwill and made our own. Lots of glitter and laughter later - best sweaters ever!

eastman house gingerbread display

We were greeted with a new entrance at the George Eastman House this year while attending the annual Gingerbread House display. The entrance is grand but the display not so much. We were in and out in under 30 minutes. Covid can go away so that these annual traditions can come back fully.

 

thanksgiving break

While in quarantine one has a lot of time to cook and bake; plus it is over Thanksgiving break. For the second year in a row we made a bacon wrapped turkey. Delicious! For dessert we made pumpkin pie and chocolate pecan pie. And the leftovers were made into turkey parmesan paninis, turkey/apple/cheddar paninis, and turkey pot pie.

One of the few times I was out of the house during quarantine, a small hike to Washington Grove.

 

quarantine

 COVID-19 has been around a while. When it first began we considered Damian our 'dirty' person and he did all the errands. There were several months where the boys and I did not enter a store. Only Damian would put away groceries. The boys and I got outside each day for a short run in the morning and a walk in the afternoon (in between school hours and making dinner). 

As a lot of folks, we didn't get together with anyone. We did spend some time at the cottage (and boy are we blessed to own it). This summer definitely would not have been the same without it.

The boys were excited to start school in September at McQuaid. It did look different and they were disappointed to not have the usual uniform including tie and jacket. Surprisingly, XC happened for Ambrose and soccer for Blaise; although modified still a good season.

Fast forward to November 16 . . . Ambrose wakes up with a headache, cough and isn't feeling well. After having a COVID test and waiting 5 days his test came back positive. We are currently in quarantine - straight through Thanksgiving and almost into December.

But I feel grateful - grateful for the friend who dropped off flowers and a basket of goodies. Grateful for the neighbors who check in and drop off newspapers. Grateful for the neighbor and friend who brought us a small list of groceries we were wanting. Thanksgiving is tomorrow and Ambrose doesn't know yet but he will be released from quarantine! WE will be able to eat Thanksgiving dinner together! And we plan a small walk in Washington Grove, a zoom with Weidmann cousins and a movie (The Blind Side). I would say that is a pretty perfect Thanksgiving.

last xc meet for the season

The last XC meet saw Ambrose running at the old Shadow Pines golf course. He had a PR of 19:37. 

I remember having a conversation with him back at Seton when he wasn't really wanting to do 'running club'. And now look at him go as a Freshman. Wow, Ambrose we are proud of you!

 

veterans day service

Veterans Day service through McQuaid found us at Richards House (Veterans Outreach Center). We helped clean the house, winterize garden beds, fall clean-up and even groomed their service dog. We learned that Richards House can house up to 34 Veterans who are trying to get back on their feet. They were so grateful for the service we provided them which in turn was a humbling experience for the boys.

 

15

Ambrose turned 15 during Covid which unfortunately meant he didn't have a party or campfire in the backyard with a group of friends.

Instead, a circuit cake (which he nicely told me wouldn't actually work as the connections are not proper) out of kit kat candy on a fudge iced chocolate cake. Well, Ambrose the circuits may not work but my baking does because soon enough all the cake was gone! And for his birthday he received a raspberry pie (not the kind I can bake) but some computer thingy.

 

covid style halloween

Fragile box and Leg Lamp from Christmas story. I LOVE that the guys still want to work together on their costumes! 

We met up with the Harvard Street gang for a quick group photo and then hit a few houses for trick-or-treating. Due to Covid we sized down our route and instead went to the Matzky's and enjoyed roasted hot dogs and smores. I think this should be our new annual tradition.

 

service at McQuaid

InVia Freshman Day of Service on October 14. We had so many organizations we actually invited middle schoolers. Ambrose went to Seton with a bunch of alumni and helped rake leaves. Blaise went to Wilson Commencement Park and helped clean out their basement.

October 22 Blaise participated in the Care of Creation walk with other middle schoolers. They walked around the area near McQuaid and picked up garbage.

 

XC

Ambrose is running cross country this fall. He is running with JV and is doing fantastic! So far they have had one meet and look forward to more in their 'bumblebee uniforms' with shorty shorts. He is really enjoying the runs everyday after school. We've even bought spikes (that's spikes mom, not cleats) for his next meet.

 

modified soccer

Blaise is playing modified soccer for McQuaid on the gold team this year. They have 2 teams (gold and black) as they don't cut anyone for modified - about 40 kids total. 

He is having a blast. Mom has a heart attack on the sidelines whenever he plays in goal (he is 3rd string goalie - so it isn't a lot) and he plays midi. Blaise - be aggressive! That is our cheer from the sideline.

 

raising the cottage

We've had a few springs where we have had high water issues in Sodus Point. We have built a wall of sandbags in the middle of the yard, dug down in the crawl space for a pump and worried what might happen to our cottage. We made the investment and had our cottage raised up.

We will have better access to replacing floors, plumbing, etc. This does come with a bit of work - new mud room floor, new bunk room floor . . .