COVID-19 Diaries: Week 15

I definitely got off track with what I thought were going to be weekly summaries of our pandemic life.  It got a little bit difficult to write about nothing and/or the same thing every week.  But we are starting to edge closer to normal here in Connecticut.  Our governor, of whom I am no fan, has done a tremendous job, both with the closings and the gradual re-openings.  We are a few days into Stage II of re-opening and that means the playing fields are starting to open up, practices are beginning to resume and the girls' lives are starting to look a little bit more normal.  The Y opened for customers on Monday and Lee is back to the Fitness Center, although he will not be training clients for a while. As for me, it looks like we will not be going back to the office for several more months, although I am planning to go in one day this week.

Admitted Students' Night was held via Zoom this year, but that didn't seem to bother Emily. 

She was a pro with NWC trivia and won first place - and a sweet Vineyard Vines bag! 

Lots of sunbathing in the backyard.... 

Emily's work was featured in the virtual Middle School Art Show 

Memorial Day festivities with our "COVID pod" of friends.  Our girls workout together 2-3 days a week and we've been playing by the rules since March and so when the governor began easing restrictions, we were able to get together for some fun after the girls' morning workout. 

Celebrating Fourteen

We aren't much for birthdays around here, but with things so "off" with the pandemic, we decided that we would try to arrange a drive by birthday party for Emily's birthday to surprise her.  In order to pull it off, I asked everyone to come by the day before her birthday, so she would have no idea.  We were sitting outside, lingering after dinner, when her four closest friends and their families caravanned by the house.  She was completely taken by surprise, it was so great!  After grabbing one of Elizabeth's famous cupcakes, the girls ended up kicking the soccer ball around in the backyard while the parents had a cocktail in the front yard.  This was probably her most successful birthday yet!

Swanny's gift included lights.... 

A new hydro flask from Grammy! 

A KitKat and M&M cake made by Elizabeth - it was soooo rich, but soooo good! 

On Emily's actual birthday, she had a scheduled track out workout with her soccer crew. Her favorite distance is 200m, so I had them do 200 repeats - 14, one for each year. 

They were lucky enough to have the chance to swim briefly after the workout.

Fourteen

Emily is fourteen today and she couldn't be happier about it.  Despite the fact that these last few months have not gone as planned, she has never missed a beat.  I can only remember one time since the world stopped moving that she was anything but happy - and it was because she couldn't master a certain number of juggles with the soccer ball.  She continues to be happiest when she is surrounded by her four best friends - none of whom she goes to school with but all of whom she would spend 24/7 with if she had the chance.  She loves being with her soccer team and with her friends from school and pretty much gets along with everyone.  She continues to excel at school, especially math and science.  In three years of middle school, she received only one A- and ended up with more A+ grades than A's.  She still loves to read but over the last several months, I've noticed that she really just loves to learn new things.  I've stumbled upon her listening to podcasts about a variety of topics while doing school work or cleaning up her work area.  Emily is an incredibly hard worker.  We were so impressed with how seriously she took her work during remote schooling; we were even more impressed with her dedication to soccer.  With the exception of only Easter Sunday, she has gone running, worked out or spent time working on soccer skills every single day.  We hope that her commitment to soccer pays off for her when the kids are finally allowed to return to the fields.  Emily is sooooo nervous, but sooooo excited about high school.  We can't wait to see what amazing things she does when she spreads her wings and flies.  Happy fourteenth birthday Emily - we hope that this year is as amazing as you are!