November 1-7 - Week two (10 days completed) of absurd 24 day quarantine and no kitchen sink. All of North Elementary and 8th grade were quarantined as well due to other cases, which lessened the blow a bit and made at-home learning a lot easier. At-home learning means much less laundry, but oh so many more dishes (second breakfast, afternoon snacks, etc)! Perhaps enhanced by the fact that our kitchen sink has been out of order since October 23. It also means, time for composing ukulele songs, drawing/doodling time (and Jenna photo bombing candid photos), cuddling during read-alouds and math homework, and hugs anytime.
Thankful to be healthy (though stuck at home), thankful for the simple joy of the Consumer Reports buying guide (that Kellen has loved studying!), and thankful for the amazingly beautiful weather this week (we often had windows open in Colorado, in November!)!
Thursday, November 5th - We escaped to Papa and Mima's house for dinner. Kellen lost another tooth when he bit into the chicken! And, Kevin helped Papa purchase and set up a new TV for his basement.
Saturday, November 7th - We escaped again to Ute Valley Park to let the kids scramble on the rocks.
This rock with a tunnel through it is one of our favorites!
So many rocks to climb - they love it!
Being silly - singing "My Heart Will Go On" and acting like the "King of the World" from Titanic (although neither kid has seen that movie).
Having a little extra time during our 24 day quarantine - Kevin was inspired to try smoking brisket.
Friday, November 13th - After 3 weeks of not having our kitchen sink because the faucet/hose started leaking and the part was only available from the manufacturer for "free," but was out of stock - we finally got the part and our kitchen sink back!! It was a LONG 3 weeks of using our utility sink in the basement for things that needed hand washing!!
Monday, November 16th - Some fine at-home learning! He said, he loved this!
Check out the name brand on the clippers - Corona!
Monday night, we escaped our 24 day quarantine for a bit and went to see Santa. Thought we'd better get that done just in case (spoiler alert - good thing we did!). Jenna asked for Prismacolor Colored Pencils and Kellen asked for a horse bobblehead.
Friday, November 20th - 24 day quarantine done! Kevin and Kellen get to return to school! Woo hoo!
Saturday, November 21st - A fun start to Thanksgiving break!
Monday, November 23rd- Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Just three days out of our 24 day quarantine, Kevin wakes up feeling bad. His sister and our nephew started feeling bad on Saturday and we had been with them on Thursday. Thanksgiving with our in-town family - cancelled.
Thursday, November 26th - Thanksgiving! Just the 4 of us this year because sure enough, our nephew and (probably) Kevin's sister are covid positive. Kevin probably is too, but his test won't be back until Sunday. We made the best of it though - starting out with fancy hot chocolate. Fun games, a little of the "parade," the national dog show, KU's first basketball game of the season, some other shows.
Kevin felt well enough to smoke a chicken, Jenna helped me make sides (Mom's dressing, sweet potatoes, corn casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry jelly, and rolls).
Kevin's parents dropped off a care package including pies! And a dear friend dropped off another pie! Missing our other family this year, but very thankful nonetheless!
Saturday, November 28th - We set up our new Christmas tree. Our first full size Christmas tree in 21 years of marriage (except for the year Kellen was born when we had a real tree). But, we didn't decorate it until Sunday, November 29th.
It was tough getting good pictures out of these jokesters. But, we finally got a couple.
Also, Sunday, November 29th - We received Kevin's COVID results - positive (just as we knew). He can go back to school on December 3rd. But, school gave Kellen ANOTHER 24 day quarantine - he can't return until December 17th! (This would apply to Jenna too, but Junior High and High School are online for the rest of the semester anyway.) Tough, tough news on the heels of a tough month. He's only been able to go to school one half day since October 23rd! So disappointing and discouraging, but we are going to try and make the best of it all. After hearing our news, one of our friends brought us In N Out burgers - our first time to try them - that was a special treat and spirit lifter.
