A Very COVID Holiday Season

A Very COVID Holiday Season. The holidays look different for all families this year. Here is how my family is making the most of it.

As if 2020 didn’t bring enough transition and change for my family, add social distancing, virtual learning, mask-wearing, and a whole other COVID-esc things to the list that make 2020 a year many of us want to forget. Except this guy. Michael just teaches everyone in his life to LIVE. LAUGH. And you guessed it. LOVE [and dance].

Cute dancing Michael aside, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, the holidays, is looking a LOT different for many of us this year. As I shared on Instagram a few days ago, I’ve gotten many questions about the kids’ spirits right now [amidst our home-life changes] as well as our family’s holiday plans juggling two households, travel, and all that comes with co-parenting and the holidays. Lucky for me [seriously, I couldn’t be luckier], I really did luck out in the co-parent department as Ted and I work daily to strengthen our communication to make sure the kids experience all the holiday joy and fun they can- safe and responsibly.

Thanksgiving was a busy one, as the kids celebrated with my family and Ted’s family in Michigan, and then they spent some time up north after the holiday doing virtual learning from Nana and Grandpa’s cottage.

Goomba aka Grandpa even helped in the kitchen on Thanksgiving!

My favorite lesson of the week during virtual school was the show and tell session for Anthony’s class, where he “showed-off” his siblings. The love and bond these kids have for one another at such a young age is truly a miracle. And a joy to watch [and clean up after] daily. Ok, it’s not all puppies and cupcakes and hugs and kisses. But let me just think that for a few minutes….

As for Christmas, we plan on celebrating with my parents a few days before the 25^th, with Ted and myself around the 23^rd, and then Ted and the Four Tops will be headed to Virginia to be with his family right around the 25^th. Days flexible. Christmas spirit and love mandatory. Ted and I are families are making sure of it! We are acting like the adults we are and sharing in the love that will always make us a family: the bond we have because of these four beautiful children.

Right now, I’m focused on easy meals [like this Italian beef tortellini soup– ingredients pictured below], some self-care [my new favorite book– when I can stay awake reading it LOL], and ample time for fun with the kids. Which has looked like Christmas shopping on Amazon and building forts at home. Picture dump following NOW!