2021...What a Year

 

I have to say,

I didn't think I would have very many positive

things to say about the year when 

I was thinking about this recap.

Then as I was taking a look back

at our pictures,

I have to say...it wasn't all bad!

January kicked off with my 3rd

"First Day of School" for the year.

Why?

Well, we had our official first day

in August.

Then the 2nd one was in November when

part of my class was able to return

to class.

January brought a slightly new roster,

and the hope that ALL of my students,

and my own children,

would return to the classroom SOON!

I'm not even going to sugar coat it.

January was ROUGH!

It was probably the lowest point

I've ever been mentally.

I was tired, discouraged, 

and frustrated.

The months of teaching online and in-person,

second grade and third grade,

Lexie and Landry still online,

and trying to be all of the things

to all of the people were just too much.

Then...it was February!

You guessed it...the first day of school...

round FOUR!

February brought EVERYONE 

back on campus who wanted to be on campus!!!!

For my class, that meant that my

mornings were spent teaching my third graders

and my afternoons were spent

teaching my second graders.

Finally...

everyone in person!

More importantly...

it meant Landry and Lexie FINALLY

got to go to their classrooms for part of the day.

February also brought me turning the 

big 4-0!

I decided the best way to celebrate

my birthday...

was a weekend at the coast...

all by myself!

It was absolutely glorious!

I stayed at my favorite bed and breakfast

in Cayucos, and did whatever I wanted.

I took a beautiful walk in

Montana de Oro.

After months of giving everything

I had to everyone else,

this was the perfect way to

refuel myself.

In March we celebrated this

little lady's 6th birthday!

Instead of a party,

she decided she wanted a weekend at the beach.

Before e knew it, Spring Break was here

and we finally got to see some friends again!

Exploring Lost Lake

Fun at the zoo!

Chad and I even decided to take the

kids miniature golfing for the first time.

I'm not sure Landry was really into it that much!

We spent most of our time doing this...

trying to get the ball unstuck from the obstacles!

In April we got to return to our normal

Easter festivities.

First, the obligatory family picture. 

and the sibling picture

Then...it was time to bring on

the confetti eggs!

I just love his face in this one!

In May we went strawberry picking

for the first time...but certainly not the last.

Nothing beats fresh, Central Valley strawberries!

Before we knew it, it was May...

and time to celebrate Landry's 11th birthday!

He also chose a weekend at the beach,

so we headed to our favorite spot...Cayucos.

In May, Chad and Lexie also went

to their first Father-Daughter Night at school.

It was our first event back on school campus

March 2020!

Lexie also got to return to dance class!

Before we knew it...

the school year had finally come to an end!

As much as I was SO ready for summer,

I was heartbroken to say good-bye to this class!

They made a crazy school year so much FUN!

These kids and their parents are simply the best!

They will forever hold such a special place in my heart.

Summer always means apricot picking!

We were SO excited to be able to spend our

days at the water park again!

Fourth of July looked a bit

different for us this year,

but we enjoyed all of the fun.

We had our first date on Fourth of July,

nineteen years ago!

Next up...summer vacation!

Our trip started with taking the kids to

San Francisco for the first time.

Let's just say...they weren't really big fans.

They did love getting to see the

Full House house in person...

or as they would say,

the Fuller House house. ;)

Then it was time to head to the airport

bright and early!

They had both flown before,

but they were 18 months and 5,

so this was the first flight they remembered.

Next stop...MAUI!

We spent five days in paradise!

We are big fans of quiet condos,

and beaches to ourselves!

An absolute MUST in Maui is

Hula Girl Sailing.

Lexie was  bit nervous at first...

but she quickly fell in love as well!

It was an absolute blast...

until we couldn't get home due

to mechanical issues and cancelled flights.

Twelve hours in an airport

isn't the best way to end vacation. ;)

When we got home, Lexie decided to try out

for the competition dance teams...

and she made it!

As summer ended,

we had to say good-bye to our days

at the water park with friends.

These kiddos have all been friends since

they were babies.

And just like that...

it was time to kick-off another school year!

First grade and sixth grade...

here we come!

The fall always means our annual

trip to the Avila Barn with Nawnie and Auntie K.K.

October also brought an eye condition for me.

This was the start to a long battle with anterior uveitus...

a.k.a. inflammation of the iris.

Tons of tests have been done, 

still not sure exactly what caused it.

Right before Christmas I was lucky enough

to get a steroid shot into my eyeball...fun I know...

and that seems to be helping.

Fingers crossed.

Chad got to enjoy his first...

and only...

Donuts with Dads on campus

with both munchkins.

Then it was all about Halloween

and trick or treating!

In November, Landry performed

in his first school play,

Shrek Jr, the Musical!

It was an fantastic show!

I also had the opportunity to go

to 6th grade camp in Sonora as an

honorary 6th grade teacher.

Landry was thrilled to have his mom there! ;)

I was a little nervous going into it...

but it was seriously so much fun!

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity

to share this experience with Landry!

In December we finally got to watch our

tiny dancer back on stage!

I could watch this girl dance all day long.

I guess that's a good thing, since competition

has us at the studio a lot. ;)

No, I didn't get a single picture of any of

our Christmas fun. Mom fail.

All in all, 2021 had a TON of highlights!

We traveled to new places,

tried new activities,

and learned so much about ourselves 

and what we are capable of.

But...I'm not going to lie...

it was a really hard year.

Here's to hoping 2022 is a little easier on us!