Out and About

Since the beginning of June, we have started to be more social and interact with others, albeit still obeying to social distancing rules as the infection rates are still going up here in TN as well as nationwide. The first Monday of the month, two of my girlfriends and I rented kayaks and we enjoyed paddling up and down the river for 3.5 hours while chatting away. It was not too hot and just being out and about and with some other women felt amazing. Perfect activity to social distance too! 

Because the weather was so great, a couple of days later, we headed to our secret beach spot at the lake in Nashville. The park was still closed for cars but one could walk in to and when we got to the beach, it was almost empty. Perfect way to spent a morning with the family! 

And because it was so nice and empty, we went back right the next week again. In between, we cooled off in a stream by our friend's house. Amelia was delighted to see the girls and to spent two hours with them, floating in the water, looking for crawfish and turtles and rock.

We have chosen two close friends that we feel comfortable with being in closer contact without wearing our masks. Last week, I spent an evening on Emily's porch and we talked, ate and enjoyed being social while we watched the sun set  and the evening got cooler. 

For Saturday, Bettina and Dominik had invited us to their new house for lunch...a delicious German meal and freshly baked blueberry muffins. While the adults chatted, the children played. 

On Sunday, we went back to church for Outdoor Worship Service. While we wore masks and stayed by our car, others were less conscious of social distancing rules and sat by each other or hugged. Because of the increase in infection rates, we decided to continue watching the livestream for our church instead of going back next week. But we did enjoy feeling the community spirit. The kids even had a sno cone to stay cool. 

Our Nashville Zoo reopened on Monday for members only and I heard only good reviews about the safety and cleanliness precautions they had taken and decided to book an appointment for a zoo visit for the next afternoon. Since the weather was just perfect, barely 80F and mostly overcast, the children, Bettina, Evie and I spent 3 blissful hours there. While some exhibits were closed, we still saw most of the animals being out and about and quite interactive. It was not crowded and one could only walk in one direction thru the zoo. Masks were a requirement for everyone over the age of 4. 

The most exciting part of the zoo visit was riding the zipline though. Despite it being higher than it looks from the bottom, both children went a couple of times and want to go back for more. 

Till next time soon!

While we are still careful and watchful of how this pandemic keeps unfolding, we also enjoy getting out a bit further from our comfort zone on a weekly basis. So stay tuned for more summer adventures. 

Unrests Across America

Today we went dark in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. People across the globe joined in to show their support as we are outraged by the continued killing of black people in America. 

In the past 7 days, there have been protests and unrests in cities all across America, which are the result of the outrage of the community about the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, during an arrest by the Minnesota Police Department. George was handcuffed and restrained and being completely cooperative during the arrest. However, a white police officer kept his knee on George's neck for over 8 minutes (while two other police officers held him down) and despite begging that he can't breathe, the officer continued to kneel on him and ultimately caused his death due to asphyxiation.  The video evidence is clear and demonstrators are desperately calling for an end of police violence. Unfortunately, George is just one many recent black people who died due to brutal police force. 

I'm disheartened, saddened and disgusted by this violence and what has followed over these past 7 days. While protests in some cities turned violent (mostly looting and property damages but also some injuries), most people just want to show their support for the black community and raise awareness to stop the racism that is still so alive in this country. I do condemn the riots and attacks on the police force though as problems will not be solved thru violence and only will create a bigger rift among sides. But I also condemn the president's actions of using tear gas on peaceful protesters to clear a path for him and then raise a bible in front of a church and ultimately calling for martial law. It is disturbing and frightening.

Racism is very real and alive and can be encountered on a daily basis as seen by the actions (and tweets) of our leaders in this country. Racial profiling and the killing of African Americans by police force and vigilantes that recently surfaced are only the tip of the iceberg as the root causes are much deeper and have existed far longer. The evolution of slavery in America, racist American policies (prejudice vs discrimination), inequalities and economic segregation are all part of the issue and will need to be tackled in order to diminish discrimination and achieve equality.

I'm married to an African American man and my children are bi-racial. For us, we don't see each other as black or white. We don't love each other because of our skin color and our children accept, respect and love us the same way. My life is in no way more worth than the life of my husband, or any other person in America or around the world. Skin color, gender, sexuality or the country of origin should not define a person or make them any more or less valuable.  However, I'm worried sometimes about going to certain places with my family or if my husband is out and about by himself (especially in a Republican Southern State) as we are more susceptible to encounter racism and discrimination. In this day and age, no one should have to worry about that though as the human race is better than that. Therefore, we need to step up, be active and make change happen so that our children do not need to live in fear. 

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!