Scenes from Thirteen (Amara's 13th Birthday Celebration)

How do you celebrate a milestone birthday, like becoming a teen, during a shelter in place pandemic? You throw a surprise drive by party! On the morning that Amara woke up on her 13th birthday (June 6th), we opened presents, had breakfast and chilled a bit. Then she got ready for what she thought was going to be a visit to Aniyah's house for a birthday walk.

When she came to the drive way and saw a 4 foot Peppa Pig  (both she and Aniyah love) Peppa!) balloon tied to the bush, along with her decorations, she looked really confused. When I instructed her to look down the street at the caravan of cars coming she was really surprised. You see, the night before, she thought no one would remember her on her birthday. She thought aunts and uncles along with friends would forget her. How can anyone who knows Amara forget her?

It turned out to be quite moving for Don and I. Family, friends, even her Middle School teacher, turned up to celebrate this remarkable young lady. It was really special and very sweet. When everyone drove by, folks parked and safe distanced while our friend Alexandra handed out cups of lemonade and cookies. Then we all sang Happy Birthday.

I think Amara knew for sure how loved she was!

Amara got a camera for her birthday!!!

                                                                 

Scenes from Quarantine-Part 5

As we start to become accustomed to the abnormality of shelter in place, we have tried to find a balance in our lives. Groceries have had to be bought, Bodhi's kidney started to fail which resulted in a three day vet hospitalization,  Amara had her 13th birthday with a surprise drive by and school ending in mid June. While we mostly stay home we've been safe distance visited with select friends and family. That has been essential for healthy heart/body/mind health.

It is the mist of this all, yet another unarmed black man was murdered by the police. George Floyd's public murder, caught on video, sparked an uprising the likes we have not seen in generations. It came on the heels of a series of similar deaths in recent months. Seeing this death cracked something in the people of this county and thousands have come out in masses to protest, causing upheaval in cities coast to coast. The protests went on for weeks and still continue in many places. As intense as they were, they were also a breath of fresh air. It felt like the valve of the pressure cooker that is systemic racism was released somewhat. Havana opted out due to her overwhelm with crowds, but Amara and I went to two peaceful protests. 

So much chaos in all of our lives has led to many discussions about racism and the history of this country as well as human kind. We have talked about sadness, depression, how to keep sane with all the changes. These times are not normal. We may be moving into a new normal. Like any change, it has not always been easy. Yet we must adapt and change. That is part of human life. 

Here are a glimpse of some of the past 4 weeks of the covid 19 pandemic quarantine. 

We tented in the yard for about a week. Then recently Don and Havana slept in the fort a few nights!

The girls and their cousin Aleksy.

Oakland Protest for George Floyd and the countless others who were murdered by police.

At a youth led protest in our hometown of Pinole.

Amara turned 13!

Auntie Danya and Liam came to visit and mom got a much needed trim.

The following weekend we visited Liam and his new puppy Cody. 

Amara has had a few jobs during covid. Here she is putting in order all my CE certifications. She is quite the negotiator  when it comes to her pay!

After folks drove by for Amara's birthday, they stopped for lemonade and cookies. all safe distanced!

Bodhi was happy to be home from the vet hospital.

Havana turns 11 !!!!!!!!!!!

Despite her eleventh birthday fast approaching, Havana Ruby will always be my Baby Girl. From the day she was born, I kept her close to me whether it was co-sleeping or in the ergo. She did not like the car seat or being by herself. She would cry if you put her down so my chunky monkey was always on me or next to me. Havana was snugly then and she is snugly now. She still prefers co-sleeping (that is code for, she does not sleep alone) and while she does enjoy her own company (down time is essential for baby girl), she is more of a social butterfly and loves being with her pals.

Havana is a smart, sharp and sensitive little being. She mostly kind with spurts of spitefulness. She loves to play games but hates to lose. She still throws things when she is not the winner. Havana will help out, on her own terms. Don't even try to talk her into things. It is like trying to move a mountain. But when she is ready, she will give her it her all. Havana will make you laugh and create beautiful art that she will gift to you. My office is full of  her artistic talent and of course I kvel at the many complements they garner.

This year, Havana learned to ride a bicycle (better late than never; remember she does things in her own time!), discovered a passion, and talent, for basketball (which was stopped short due to the pandemic) and we learned, she has quite the knack for baking. She has made the best chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Havana has nourished her friendships, both old and the new. She is thoughtful and giving. Havana can be shy at first meeting but when she feels comfortable and safe, her quick wit will have you laughing. She takes after her dad in that area.

The current pandemic has been hard of Baby Girl. It's hard to comprehend everything going on . She is almost eleven but she still has is still a little girl. Then there are the protests and the political chaos going on all around. We don't shield things from her but we are aware Havana takes things in and processes in her own way. She has become a bit more introverted in recent weeks due to covid yet she still finds time to connect with her friends on google hangouts or to play her favorite online game, Roblox. Havana also makes times for her dolls, the cats and for reading. All of those she loves to engage in equally.

As Havana's birthday approaches, we celebrate this rainbow (she still loves rainbows!) in our lives.
Havana is an amazing girl who adds so much color to our world. We are so lucky to have her.

With great grandma Ruth.

Iguazu, Argentina.

Bodhi is never too far from his sisters.

                                                                                                        

Last Day of 5th & 7th grades

  

  

First Day & Last Day Photos of the 2019-2020 School Year.

Normal Day on the left & Pandemic Homeschooling not a normal day on the right!


And the school year is a wrap! Amara is off to her 8th and last year at Montessori Family School and Havana is off to 6th year at Montessori Family School. Which may be her last year too. But that is not fixed in stone!

The girls did exceptionally well this year considering we, like every other student, ended up homeschooling for the last 3 months of school. It was a challenge getting them up to speed with zoom and google classroom. It was even more challenging at times to get the work done, while other times things were done smoothly. The hardest part was not having in school support and contact with friends. There has been a lot of face time and google meetings. I am clearly not a teacher. Don, with his ever patient demeanor stepped up a lot, juggling his own work along side math and vocabulary as well as getting them connected to their resources. I helped out with keeping them fed, checking in and making sure we got some good outdoor time.

It was an adjustment for sure but the girls completed school. I think that this will be a year the girls, and not student for that matter, will forget for the rest of their lives.