covid19- week 19

"we get 18 delicious summers with our children. this is one of your 18."

xoxo, 

-ivy

covid19- week 18

it feels like there's been a shift in our home regarding our approach to the world's current state. for so many weeks we were searching for the finish line- trying every single day to just get there. and at some point, we've resolved ourselves to understand that there's no end in sight to this pandemic. we more than likely have a couple years of masks, social distancing and a stray from the norm we've always known. so in the meantime, we have projects we're working on [excited to share more] and are looking for the silver linings in our lives- our health and resources, lots of vitamin d this summer, and appreciating the little things more than ever before. we've learned and we've grown tremendously since march 12. our kids have shown their resilience and capabilities ... and also taken their love of frozen yogurt and the 100 possible toppings that accompany it to new heights this summer. i've experienced bliss many times, watching our girls have time to just be kids- swim, play, read, catch fireflies. i'll always remember our pandemic summer. 

xoxo, 

-ivy

covid19- week 17 july 4 & more!

once july 4 hits, the rest of the summer always tends to fly by. we've ordered our school shoes, backpacks and new uniforms ... and as an added accessory this year, coordinating masks! ;) the girls will definitely be going back to school [as long as everything stays as planned] and we're pleased with our school's guidelines for maintaining our childrens', teachers' and families' physical and mental health. we're praying for safe returns and healthy, responsible choices by all. 

we've swam so much that the younger girls' hair has turned mermaid green, and if not swimming or dancing, these girls can be found reading, playing school or barbies, or if all else fails, the trusty finding something to argue over. 

sweet summer in a nutshell :)

we're lucky to see the olathe firework display from our front yard, and the girls ran around catching fireflies, eating grape snow cones and playing hide and seek until the show started at 9:45pm. the next day was a jammie all day kind of sunday ;)

jon and i have spent a good portion of our time at home figuring out next steps for where we want to land in raising these girls. we bought our current house [which is our second house after first living in 2 different apartments in 2 different states] when lucy was 17 months old and i was super pregnant with eloise. it's a spacious house in a great neighborhood- so many families and a very active HOA with tons of activities, food trucks and fun events all year round. we've planted trees that we've seen grown tall, and it's the only home any of the girls know. we've gone back and forth for literal years as to where we want to settle and truly feel settled. i'm excited to document our plans in the coming weeks!

xoxo, 

-ivy

covid19- week 16

it's hard to believe i'm still making weekly updates titled "covid19". but as the numbers rise in our county, this global health pandemic is still very much a large focus of our lives right now. we're grateful for the businesses that are open and providing a semblance of normalcy, but i'm definitely anxious that we're headed back towards quarantine. our governor just mandated masks in all indoor public buildings. on the upside, the girls are now pros at wearing them- they love choosing which mask to wear for what ;) who knew masks would be such a necessary fashion accessory?!

we had a fun week of a night without the girls- they stayed with gmom & gdad while we adulted (you know, grocery shopping, etc), dance classes, frozen yogurt runs, celebrating 10 years with our charlie boy, and lots of time in the water. we're all so ready for this holiday weekend- a few festive activities for the girls, but mostly low-key fun at home. we had planned to be at the beach for the 4th this year- but decorating red, white & blue sugar cookies in our backyard is the second best :)

xoxo, 

-ivy