Fall Break

 We were supposed to go to Destin for spring break in March, but COVID hit and pretty much everything closed down. We changed our reservation and ended up going for fall break. Although the weather was perfect, the crowds were not. I have never seen the beach as crowded as it was that week. We try to avoid people at all cost (pandemic or not..lol) so this was not ideal for us. Most people were not wearing masks or social distancing. It's a sad world we live in having to worry about that stuff, but we do! 

We arrived at the beach just as the sun was setting. It's a tradition to order pizza,  drop our things and go out on the beach. 

There is nothing like the beach at sunset. It's so pretty, and sunset pictures are my favorite. 

I have a picture of Ella like this since she was around 3 years old. She has grown so much and is almost as tall as me. 

The next morning we took the golf cart to the grocery store to load up on groceries for the week. Only Ella would get a carton of chicken wings for breakfast. 

Then we were off to the beach. Look at the enthusiasm! 

We (as in Paige and I) had some great beach days. She is my beach buddy. Adam and Ella don't like the sun and sand as much as Paige and I do. I rent us two chairs and an umbrella for the week, and we are set. 

All week we went from the beach to the pool. That's about all we could do this trip since we were vacationing during a pandemic. We choose to live life still but try our best to do it as safe as we can. 

I enjoyed my $14.00 margarita at the pool. That was my one and only drink as I was not about to keep spending that kind of money on a drink. 

That night we drove the golf cart over to Baytown Wharf. We ate dinner (our only dinner out), and Paige rode the carousel. 

We were at the beach everyday by 8am. It was nice to be out there before the crowds. I love the picture of Paige. She has always enjoyed the beach. 

That afternoon we had tickets to the gulfarium, and Paige and I were scheduled to do the dolphin encounter. Ella didn't want to since she had already done this when she was five. Paige ended up crying most of the time, and Ella took over her spot. Ugh!! Ella and I enjoyed it though. 

We did not spend much time at the aquarium since there were way too many people. 

Adam and Ella joined us at the beach for awhile that afternoon. The water was really shallow and warm which was great for playing and searching for shells. 

We were at the pool some nights until it was almost dark. 

I don't think I have been to Florida and spent as much time on the beach as we did this trip. Although we are not the type that can camp out at the beach all day, we spent a good amount of time out there looking for shells and playing in the water. 

Paige also enjoyed being buried in the sand. 

Paige loves looking for shells. I think it's just the thrill of the hunt. You never know what you will find, but we never found anything but tiny shells. 

Our beach trip wouldn't be complete without a picture at sunset. I have had my dress for at least a year waiting for the perfect time to wear it. There was not much dressing up in 2020 considering there were not many places to go. 

We never venture outside of Destin and had no clue the small towns of 30A were so close. We will probably never stay in Destin again now that we have found Rosemary Beach. It's so quaint and almost like another world compared to Destin. 

We explored the town, shopped, bought some 30A souvenirs, grabbed some coffee, and headed back. 

We hit up the pool one last time since it was our last day and prepared to head home. Thankful for another trip in the books with the family and also thankful we didn't get COVID while we were there. :) 

Pumpkin Patch 2020

Paige and I met Alison and Easton at the pumpkin patch. We went together last fall so we decided to go together again this year. Only difference this year was the fact we went during a pandemic. We wore our masks (most of the time) and hoped for the best. It's still crazy to think that masks are part of our daily lives now. 

We have gone to Mayse Farm Market almost every year since Ella was two years old. I can't imagine the day when both my kids are too old for the pumpkin patch, but I know that day will come all too soon. 

Paige loves getting together with Easton. They always have so much fun together. 

This jumping pad is always popular. I think Paige could have stayed here all day. 

We took the wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin and had to find the biggest one they had. 

Paige acting like her silly self. This kid is FULL of personality. 

The pumpkin patch had quite a few pictures spots set up. We took a few pictures, and then drenched ourselves in sanitizer. 

Alison and I have been friends for 20 years. How is that even possible!? I'm glad we are still close after all of these years. 

Although it was great getting out of the house and doing something normal, I'm not sure it was worth it. Alison ended up testing positive for COVID a week later. She's not sure where she got it, but she quite possibly could have picked it up at the pumpkin patch. That's life these days unfortunately. 

Not too long after we went, Penny took the Autumn and Ella. I'm glad these two don't think they are too old for the pumpkin patch. From the looks of the pictures, they had a great time. Ella came home with fudge and ate the entire container. She loves her sweets! 

Hopefully next fall, COVID will be a thing of the past, and we will be able to go to the pumpkin patch without masks. Fingers crossed! 

Paige's first leader day

Paige was SO excited for her first leader day this year. It's a big deal to be the leader. You get to bring your mom or dad/both, bring snack, lead the lines, and use the pointer. Paige wanted to bring Adam and I both. It is such a fun day for these little preschoolers. 

 First up, the big room! Paige loves "the big room" since she's right at home at the craft table. Paige has loved the craft table since the very beginning of preschool last year. She crafts the entire time her class is in the big room and comes home with stacks of papers. 

Leader gets to be the line leader on the way to the playground, big room, and bathroom. 

Paige loves to help me out laying out snack. She looks forward to this every leader day.

She was so happy to have daddy out on the playground playing and chasing the kids around. 

Since I am so behind I can go ahead and post about her second leader day as well...

At it again at the craft table!

They were learning about the letter H that week. 

I'm glad we still get the opportunity to join in on leader day. It's so fun to see Paige at school and get to know her sweet classmates! 

First days of school

 After five long months, summer was over. Going through those five months seemed like eternity but looking back, they flied right on by. 

Sending Ella and Paige off to school this year looked a lot different than past years due to COVID. Ella has to wear a mask all day. They were given plexiglass shields to carry. They have assigned seats at lunch and smaller groups at recess. 

Paige does not have to wear a mask, but her teachers do. Parents are not allowed in the building and everyone has to use the drop off line. We are still allowed at leader days but not at parties. 

School looks a lot different, and I was definitely had some anxiety sending them off to school. There is so much uncertainty (still is), and all we can do is hope for the best. 

Ella started middle school this year. I can't even believe it.

There were a lot of nerves over this school year for so many reasons. As I'm typing this, we are now deep into the second quarter. This school year (so far) has been challenging. The trasition to middle school proved to be very difficult. It took Ella a couple of months to feel comfortable so my biggest concern was and always is her happiness.  I am so proud of Ella though. She has worked through her anxieties and is thriving now.  She has been working hard and pushing herself, and it shows. Transitions are never easy with her, although they have gotten easier. It's hard going through it, but I am so proud of how well she is doing in middle school. 

Paige started her second year of Pre-K. She was more than ready to go back to school this year. 

Paige almost didn't make it to her orientation. She was stuffy and not feeling the best the day before, but she made a quick turn around except for a runny nose. 

This girl was READY to go on her first day. New teachers and new kids didn't kill her spirit. She was so excited to head back. She loves the school routine, the activities, and friends. 

She was not bothered at all by the drop off line (last year we were able to go in). She hopped right out of the car and was on her way. 

Here's to hoping we actually make it through this entire school year without going virtual!!