Meet Ella!

In March, we decided that we are ready to add another furry friend to our family. But with the stay-at-home orders in place all the cats in our vicinity were adopted out and shelters were closed. It was not until mid April that I found our kitten on an adoption website and went ahead to pre-adopt here. Since she was only 4 weeks old at that point, we were not able to bring her home until mid May. Normally, cats are adopted out at 12 weeks old and once they are neutered/ spayed and got their vaccines but because of  Covid, we were able to bring our furbaby home once she was 8 weeks old and at least 2 lbs. 

So on Wednesday, May 13th, the children and I drove an hour to pick her up. We are pleased to introduce to you: Ella (lovingly called Ella Labella). 

While Ella is a family pet, Amelia is the one who wanted another cat and will mostly take care of her. 

Indy, our 11 year old tabby cat, is not so sure yet of the little one but she fits right in with our guinea pigs. Pictures from the first day at home:

Indy is still figuring out why she is here but they get closer each day and share already each others food dishes. Indy loves to eat, so as long as Ella is willing to share, she got a friend in her. 

At night, she sleeps in Amelia's room, pretty much just as she imagined she would. These two are too cute: 

At nap time, she rests with Elliot either in his room or on the couch: 

And in the mornings, when I work or on weekends, she sleeps on me or likes to be carried around: 

Ella is a sweetheart and fairly calm but still playful. She fits in perfectly and we love her already so much. 

Field Trip and Last Day of School

It now has been 9 weeks since the children have been home due to the pandemic. They miss their friends and routines and the best parts of the school year such as field trips, field day, school concerts and other fun stuff that usually happens during the last two weeks of the year. We are doing our best of keeping the children active, engaged in learning, and happy but still breaks this momma's heart that my little boy will miss out on all those "firsts" during his Kindergarten year. 

In order to make it a bit more fun and get them outside (they have been quarantined the entire time and have not been anywhere yet except for walks around the neighborhood), I decided it is time for a Field Trip to the strawberry patch. So on Friday, we invited my friend, Bettina, to join us and off we went. Only 30 minutes from our house is a U-Pick Farm.  

The weather was great and there were a few people out picking in the fields but we never got close to anyone and still were able to spent 2 hours picking (and eating) the most delicious little strawberries. 

Field Trip Covid-Style:

 Bettina and I with our 6 pints each.

We brought our picnic basket along and enjoyed lunch out in the field: 

If you can't tell but we had lots of fun and ate way too many strawberries along the way (by the way, there is no such thing as eating too many freshly picked berries). 

And then, a few days later, it was time to pick up the childrens' belongings from their lockers at school. This right here, made me cry because there were no hugs from their teachers, childish laughter and excitement, last day of school parties, pictures with friends or a last honorary lap around the parking lot in the school bus but just bags with names in the school gym:

The children made a card for their teachers though and a little thank you gift we left for them to be collected:

Elliot received a Remarkable Reader Award from Mrs. King and was so proud of himself. He is way ahead with his reading, now up to chapter books.

Yesterday was officially the last day of school. This Kindergartner will return in August to school as a first grader and my third grader will go into fourth grade. 

Hurray for Summer!

Since there are no summer camps and we don't have a big trip planned this year, we made some Summer Guidelines and each of the children and myself came up with some goals/ accomplishments we want to achieve during the next 2.5 months. 

HERE WE COME SUMMER FUN!