Week 8--Winter Memories

Monday, Feb. 15th

The two EC boys were off from school for the week.  Private school still gets February vacation.  Nathanael had a Monday afternoon hockey game.  I (team photographer ;) ) went down to take pictures of warmups and noticed an addition to Fan's jersey.  He wasn't expecting it, we weren't expecting it.  So proud of him.

Tuesday, Feb. 16th

This is C4 exactly ONE minute ago!  He was offered a full-time job; actually a full-time job was created for him at the place he has interned for the last two years- a huge complement!  For whatever reason, this hit HARD as he stretched his hairy man arms across the kitchen counter, excitedly telling his Dad and myself about his full-time salary and benefits.  

Wednesday, Feb. 17th

Big day at Bunce building the retaining wall.  Dad was boss, Nathanael, Isaac, and Rocco assisted.

Four weeks to squeeze 12 games in means lots of hockey....and I'm lovin' watching this kid play!

Thursday, Feb. 18th

Nothing.

Friday, Feb. 19th

Facetime with Mama!

Juuuuust about 9 years old and decided to take the scissors to her own hair.  All the eye-rolls and sighs.

Saturday, Feb. 20th

I drove out to see Lisa and see their soon-to-be office space.  Got to see my sweet Juju in action!

Getting plenty of hockey these days...4-5 games per weekend.

We watched a friend's St. Lucia elopement streamed.

Trevor had spent the night at Jack's, Renna got some QT with Ninny and Papa, and Rocco was treated to a sleepover at Mason's!

Sunday, Feb. 21st

Rocco had the distinct privilege to go snowmobiling at Larry and Lil's.  I can't remember the last time he was that jacked!  He came home soooooo excited!!!!  "Mom!!!  I didn't think I'd even get to drive, but then Larry put me on and said, "Here's the gas, here's the brake, here's how you steer.  Then he put Cole on the back of my sled and just let me go!"  He will FOREVER remember this day!

Week 7--Weddings and Dance and Hockey, oh my!

Monday, Feb. 8th

Last place I wanted to be...only place I wanted to be.  It's been a very difficult couple of weeks learning of and processing the diagnosis of one of my closest friends.  While I wish it on no one, it is also a privilege to be "let in" to the innermost parts of someone's life when they are walking through one of their darkest valleys.

Since I couldn't join her inside, I had 3 hours to kill and saw this unique home on my way to get tea at Dunkin.

Renna was invited to go skiing with Ari and Ava.

Tuesday, Feb. 9th

Kiki sent me this one.  Cannot believe how young Dad looks!

Evaluations Week at Launch--- each night, parents could live stream.  I watched several hours for four nights.

Wednesday, Feb. 10th

We visited another reception hall, Renna on picture duty.

I had an embarrassing trip to Lowe's for trim and moulding.  I battled and won!

The church posted this on their IG page from a previous youth night.

Thursday, Feb. 11th

It's been amazing having Dad at Bunce.  He's so handy, so encouraging, so helpful, so special to steal some time with him.

Friday, Feb. 12th

First game of our 12-game season our generous governor has bestowed upon us.  I walk a very fine line of bitter and grateful.  I'm joking, of course.  With healthy kids in school and sports happening there's nothing to be but grateful.  And I am.  Nathanael would have been devastated to miss out on his senior season.  The eagles are off to a great, strong start and Nathanael looks great on the ice!

Nathanael made the news!  Well, "Kevin" DiSalvatore made the news, and it's horrible quality, but take a look!  Interestingly enough, Channel 3 comes to one game (if at all) each season.  C4 scored a night they were there back in the day and also was mentioned in a similar clip back in the day.

No parents were allowed at the first few games (still not at away games) however, I worked out an agreement (a legit one) to be the "Team Photographer".  I've been acting in this capacity for the last two years, taking pictures at every game and posting them to Shutterfly, creating videos, etc.  Now it's official.  I wear a lanyard and I'm allowed in to all the games home and away.  BEYOND GRATEFUL!

Colombo and I went to dinner together to celebrate Valentine's Day and ended up hanging at Jon and Annie's for a bit afterward.

Saturday, Feb. 13th

We needed to make a presentation to our pastors on stage to recognize their 25th wedding anniversary.  Knowing I had to go straight to Nathanael's game, I wore two pairs of pants, and packed cozy socks and winter boots to trade out my heels after church.  I drove to Simsbury and reached back to grab my boots.  Couldn't find them.  KNEW I'd packed them...what the heck?  Turned lights on, searched the van, and finally conceded that I was just going to have to freeze.  Bare foot in 3-inch heels.  Double darn.  Cold and sore.  But...I got to go to the game!

Colombo watched on Live Barn and spotted me.

I told my sad story to anyone who would listen and then opened up my van door the next morning only see MY BOOTS sitting right where I had loaded them up the night before!!!

Sunday, Feb. 14th

I woke up long before everyone else to write love letters to the kids and set out their little treats.

Love seeing this sweet boy snuggled up with his "guys" first thing in the morning, after having carried them down from overnight with them.

Love this shot of the two girls taking instruction from Jon, while Colombo refs on the ice.

Renna had a later hockey game and we did Chinese for dinner.  Then Colombo walked through some work papers with Juju.

Week 6--Samplings of Normalcy

Monday, Feb. 1st

The boys and I put in a full day at Bunce.  We started on the ceilings.  Papa stopped by to check in and showed Rocco how to change the paper on the idiot stick.

Tuesday, Feb. 2nd

Nothin'.

Wednesday, Feb. 3rd

What a crazy day!!!!  Reminds me of 2019!  Saw a reception hall, worked at Bunce, loaded the trailer for Passion to go to Sioux Falls, got Trevor from school and to and from TBQ, and picked up Juliet in Boston!

Renna's in charge of pictures when we visit reception places, so naturally, this is what I find.

Thursday, Feb. 4th

Check-ups for the boys.

Friday, Feb. 5th

My RI nice had a game in CT a half hour away, so I loaded the van full of kids and went to support her, utterly shocked that we could attend since I can't even attend my OWN kids' events.  Half hour down the road: 100 people in the gym and about 8 people had masks on.  

Renna was a guest at a virtual paint night birthday party.

Saturday, Feb. 6th

Back to hockey!!!

Sunday, Feb. 7th

A little hockey, a little soccer, a little digging at Bunce, a little Super Bowl- sooooo happy for Brady!

Feels so good to be back at indoor soccer.  We drove through some really treacherous weather to get there, but this girl was thrilled!

Cozy at O'Bonks for the game.