Pool Daze

Governor Cooper was suppose to release more information this week in regards to the reopening of schools in the fall. Unfortunately, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, he has postponed his announcement for a few more weeks. Although our first student day in Surry County was suppose to be August 5th, we already know that we will now be starting with all other public schools on August 17th. We don't know too much else at this time. For all educators, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding August, but I am trying not to let this worry detract from the time I have this summer with my family. We are still making memories and enjoying each day. This week included a Sunday picnic on the Quad at Wake Forest...

 ...followed by donuts (again!) at our summer hangout spot, Dough Joe's. I've started to lose count of how many times we have been there!

No donuts for Eli, but he continues to be a good eater of baby food and rice cereal. He is always so happy when we put him in the Bumbo for meal time, and he doesn't mind wearing his big sister's old bib.

Different day, same pose, another bib passed down from Emmy!

During our visit to Great Gma's this week, there was a light sprinkle of rain. Emmy loved holding the umbrella and dancing around. You can't quite see Great Gma because of the glare, but she is just on the other side of the glass. We talk to her on the phone while we are separated by the window. 

We received some sad news this week. Boomer's grandmother, Granny Kennedy, passed away on Tuesday evening. She had been battling Alzheimer's for a couple of years, and the last few months were particularly tough as she continued to decline. The immediate family was able to be together on Thursday for a viewing and then on Friday for a memorial service. With the restrictions still in place for large gatherings, the service was small and intimate. The seven grandsons carried the casket, and Boomer said the closing prayer. We will miss Granny. 

Emerson and Granny - Thanksgiving 2016

While Boomer was away in Virginia, we tried to send pictures to brighten his day. Since this week also marked the official start of his new job, Boomer has had a lot of competing obligations. He has handled everything with amazing composure. In his absence, we stayed busy with park play dates, neighborhood walks (Emmy found a penny!), reading (when she should have been napping!), and special treats for good behavior.   

Emmy took a spill in the YMCA parking lot, and by her request, Daddy even got a picture of that. She was so tough to get back up, but she definitely left a little bit of skin on the asphalt. Through tears, she said "I need to tell Daddy" - which has been a common phrase this summer - and "Why did I knock myself down?" I was hoping this summer wouldn't include as many skinned knees as in the past, but I may be wrong about that :(

Boomer arrived home on Friday evening, and we celebrated the July 4th holiday with back-to-back pool days: Saturday at the YMCA and then Sunday at his parents' house in Star. Emmy loved showing off some of her new skills. She is getting more confident in the water and likes jumping off the side and swimming with her puddle jumper. In Star, I brought along the float for Eli, and after the initial surprise of being in the water wore off, he seemed to like it. This week, we hit a record high of THREE pool days - whew, this momma is tired! :)