Photos shown: Puzzle that was started during a big rainstorm that took five days to complete, cinnamon swirl challah bread made from scratch, Marsh Creek pool visit, the children completing huge Harry Potter Lego sets, trips with Nana and Grandpa to Lake Nockamixon for kayaking + picnic (kayaking not shown) and to the Lehigh Valley Zoo + OHWOWCOW Ice Cream shop, rice crispy treats, and finally working on my dissertation.
While Joshua did set-up week for his classroom, I took time off from work to hang out with the kids. In general, the pandemic is still keeping us close to home and only venturing out during the week when activities are not as crowded. It was so nice to see my parents -- with masks, outside, and socially distanced (except for photos) -- twice this last week in expectation of the kids and Joshua going back to school. Fingers crossed for an uneventful beginning to the start of the academic year. Happily, I have no plans of going back to the office (virtual meetings all day, every workday) and the kids and Joshua make up 25% of the people in their classroom, which is held in a large space.
I love the picture of the kids in the wolf den at the zoo. Look at this comparison from nearly seven years ago. James has grown significantly during the last few months. He has only gained 1 lb. in the last eight months but he has grown taller!
I love that little "volunteer" zoo (as Joshua calls it because most of the animals naturally live in this region) and am so happy we keep going back each year. Comically, many of the animals the kids grew up visiting have since passed and have plaques in their honor, including the bobcat who used to always hiss at Joshua.
