April 2021

April means Easter and egg decorating!  And then, of course, hiding eggs (which I am happy to let Brendan do these days) and watching Emily find them in the morning.  She knows the Easter bunny isn't real, but she still enjoys hunting for Easter eggs.

We were able to schedule a playdate with Emily's friend Jane, and they had a picnic on the front lawn.

Emily did her nails in leopard print and dressed up to match them!  I put on my leopard mask so we could be twins.

Found this beautiful dress on clearance - of course she had to try it on and model it!

March 2021

 March weather was a lot kinder to us than February.  Emily had a Girl Scout meetup at the Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville.  While the girls did their thing, Brendan and I wandered around.  I used to take Brendan and Emily there when they were really little, so it was neat to revisit!

Emily won a STEM kit from school.  She was very excited to see what was inside!

Our Chinese magnolia tree is blooming, so I asked Emily if she would do a little photo shoot in it.  She was happy to oblige.

Since we're still in virtual school and stuck at home, we decided to have some fun and dress up for St. Patrick's Day.  Aren't we festive?

Emily got gift certificates for trail rides as a Christmas gift.  Emily, Brendan, and I used one of them.  We had fun - I was sore the next day though!

For some reason, Emily really wanted to try a coconut.  So, on my trip to the store, I decided to get one.  Best $2 I ever spent - she was entertained for hours!

Emily, Steve, and Brendan playing in the front yard.

Brendan has been artistic this month!  Here is a pencil drawing and a painting that he did this month.  He is talented!

February 2021

 February started out with some nice weather.

When you're in virtual school and don't have to spend time riding the bus, you have time for a little chess over breakfast!

February got serious with some VERY cold weather.  It got down to negative 13 one night, and the days were in the single digits.  Baba had an episode where he wasn't feeling well and the ambulance came and got him, which was an ordeal with their icy, steep driveway.  He was okay but they kept him over night.  Steve picked him up the next day to take him home but couldn't make it up the road off the highway!  So, Baba came to stay with us overnight.  Unfortunately, all he had were the pajamas that he was wearing, and his hearing aid batteries had died.  We all had school and work during the day, so his stay wasn't all that fun for him although we enjoyed having him over.  Fortunately, the roads were passable the next day and he was able to get home!

February 20 - that's someone very special's birthday!  The big 13 with presents from his family and an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

Happy, happy birthday wonderful 13-year-old!!!

January 2021: A New Year

January 2021!  The month started off great for Brendan.  He'd been looking for a full suspension used mountain bike and finally found one he liked and could afford.  That happy face says it all!

He had to go test out his bike on the Mama Bear pump track and Emily went to.  They had a lot of fun!