False Alarm Covid!

 The kids were off of school for three more days last week after a tiny bit of a Covid scare.

"Scare" makes it sounds more serious than what it was. We ate dinner with a fully-vaccinated relative the weekend after Thanksgiving, who later tested positive on a rapid test. Because the kids were around this relative in an unmasked environment (because it was a meal) for more than 15 minutes, the kids had to quarantine. Paul and I did not have to quarantine because we are fully vaccinated.

The relative followed-up with a PCR test that turned out negative, so the precautions were for naught. Nevertheless, the kids had to take a Covid test on Friday -- their very first -- before being allowed to return to school yesterday. (Atticus thought it was ticklish, Edith thought it hurt.)

The kids got their second jab on Saturday, so they too will be fully vaccinated in less than two weeks, just as the holiday break begins. When they return to school in January, it will be a whole new ball game. But I guess we couldn't quite make it without a quarantine in the ninth inning.

A Week Off for Thanksgiving

A few weeks ago our school district decided to dub the week of Thanksgiving "Wellness Week" and gave all students and staff the week off. In reality it was only an extra two days off of school since Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were already scheduled off. Nevertheless, it caused quite a stir.

Many parents were rightfully annoyed that they would have to find last-minute care for their children during the day. Other parents rightfully noted that teachers have been under tremendous amounts of pressure due to COVID and deserved the time off. And others still speculated that the district likely didn't give us the days off out of the goodness of their hearts, but perhaps because of an expected staffing shortage during that week.

Who knows? What I do know is that the kids were very excited to have a WHOLE WEEK off, with only a few short assignments to complete at home. And although I was mildly annoyed at the change in plans, it was awfully nice to have a real staycation with few plans and fewer responsibilities.

Now the kids have only three weeks of school before another two weeks off for the holiday break, but a peak ahead at next year's proposed school calendar shows that Thanksgiving break might become an annual thing. I won't say no.

Edith Turns 9!

How can my firstborn be 9 years old already? Halfway to a high school graduation?! It doesn't seem right that 10 years ago she was just a sparkle in my eye, and now she's just short of double digits.

Luckily her birthday was much better than last year's, when we were all in quarantine thanks to COVID. Earlier this month she invited about a dozen girls to our house for an outdoor party, with pizza, cupcakes, sparklers, glow sticks and a healthy dose of her favorite TV show -- Miraculous -- projected on our garage door.

On Sunday, her actual birthday, grandparents and other family gathered at our house to celebrate our girl. (She is the only female grandchild on both sides, after all!) She picked out the cake I made, lemon with raspberry frosting. It was delicious, and it was a delight to see her so happy.

Here's hoping the next year bears a greater resemblance to normalcy than the year that just passed. Happy birthday, Edith!