Early October

We had some nice weather throughout October and finished up our baseball and softball seasons.  We were also able to fit in a nice bike ride down on campus one last time before it got too cold.

The kids had silly hat and sock day at their schools - I'm thinking it was part of spirit week for homecoming.

Scarlet likes to soak up all of the sunshine

On my parents' anniversary, I snapped a picture of them while they were enjoying a fire outside.  They're so cute.

One Saturday, after Colin's travel baseball game, we took Mason down to campus for a bike ride.

Even Woody is prepared to fight COVID

The rest of the Lastivkas met us down on The Oval for some football and Adriatico's pizza.  After, we rode our bikes over to Buckeye Donuts.

Here's Cadence's team after their last game of the season - since there were only 22 girls in their age group who signed up to play, they split in half and played each other each week.  Cadence learned a lot during her first season of softball and we're so impressed with how she put herself out there and tried new things!

Colin's age group was able to participate in an end of the season rec tournament.  We were all in shock when the Blue Bombers lost their one and only game - it was sad to watch the last huddle after the game.  They were bummed their season came to an abrupt end.

The family of one of Colin's teammates got trophies for all of the players since the league did not do that this season.  It was nice to offer them along with an after game treat - it helped soften the blow.  Colin did really well this season as far as skill goes - we are still working on his attitude.  He gets really down on himself when he doesn't do as well as he thinks he should.  

Brantley's parents, Kevin and Ashlee, gifted Danny this bat at the end of the season.  They appreciated all that Danny did for the team, specifically their son, Brantley.  It was a super sweet gesture and we are thankful for their friendship.

 

The Finished "Unfinished" Laundry Area

While we talked to the contractor about remodeling the kids' bathroom, we mentioned the basement/laundry area to him.  Neither were a very big job, so we thought it would be worthwhile for him to do both jobs at the same time.  It's already not very fun having to go to the basement to do laundry, so to make the task a little more bearable, we wanted to make the space a little more functional.  We didn't do anything extraordinary to the basement, but boy does it feel a lot better doing laundry and ironing down there.

Danny had the idea to take this wall and install a folding/wrapping/craft table.

I did all of my Christmas wrapping at this table this year.  It's also a nice spot to hang clothes that I've ironed but still need to put away.  It's a perfect, little multipurpose table.  We've talked about adding a couple of outlets in the walls & adding a table lamp for some more light.

Danny hung the ironing board around the wall, out of the way, and we installed a clothes drying rack.

And the pièce de résistance - the laundry hub.  I never had a good spot to store anything, there were always cobwebs everywhere, and the whole area was just flat out gross.

Ta da!  We have 3 separate cabinet units to store the iron, extra dryer sheets, bleach, towels, etc.  We hung rods to hold hangers and installed a new deep sink.  Danny lined the entire floor with cushioned tiles and we covered most of the area with carpet remnants.  

We installed this cute, little shelf with hooks and a couple more clothes drying racks to finish off the space.  I'm very happy with how it turned out!

Kids' Bathroom Refresh

Over the summer, we got around to renovating the kids' bathroom.  We originally wanted to start working on their bathroom at the beginning of the year, but it was a little difficult finding someone that was willing to do such a small job.  We finally found a contractor and then COVID hit.  Once restrictions were lifted a bit, the contractor's wife had a baby, so that delayed the work even more.  When we were able to settle on a start date, Danny ripped everything out of the bathroom; and aside from the bathtub, it was EVERYTHING.  We replaced the light fixture, vanity, countertop, mirror, toilet, faucet and shower head in the bathtub, installed a shower door, put shiplap on the walls, and installed a shelving unit above the toilet.  We removed all brushed nickel and replaced it with oil rubbed bronze.  We didn't do anything extravagant, but I'm glad we could update this little bathroom from 1999.  I love how it turned out!

BEFORE

AFTER

 

September 2020

Whew!  After COVID restrictions were loosened, our family was busy in September!  Our weekends looked something like this:

Saturday:     Colin travel baseball practice

                    Colin flag football

Sunday:       Colin lacrosse

                    Colin rec baseball game

                    Cadence rec softball game

Both kids had rec and travel baseball/softball practice during the week as well and Cadence is still taking piano lessons on Thursday evenings.  I'm not sure how we got it all done, but we did!  Here's a rundown of the month of September!

I'm not sure what made me snap this picture of Scarlet, but she's cute, so I'll post it.

Cadence decided it was time she shaved her leg for the first time!  She received an electric razor for Christmas last year, but didn't really want the commitment of maintaining shaved legs.  Maybe the fact that school started had an impact on her decision.  She did a great job...all by herself!

Danny had to travel to Philly for work so he was out of town for a night.  I think there was a storm or strong winds that night, so I had a roommate!

Cadence and I stuck around during Colin's travel baseball practice - what a pretty sunset, huh?

Our gorgeous hydrangeas finally bloomed!

We had a really gnarly storm blow through on Labor Day evening.  It knocked out the power and several big branches on our mature trees out back.   Luckily, Mom and Dad have a whole house generator, so we were able to enjoy dinner over at their house.  Also, we were fortunate that the branches blew into our yard instead of over the fence or into our sheds.  Danny did majority of the backyard cleanup the next day and dad used his chainsaw to help cut up the big limbs.

Colin was on the "gold" team for flag football.  For 2 hours on Saturdays, they'd practice and then scrimmage another team.  I definitely think Colin picked up more of the ins and outs of the sport this year and he had a good time. 

His buddies, Brantley & Mason, were on the red and black teams.  We thought it was cute to get a picture of them walking up the hill after practice.
 

Here's Colin and his team after the last scrimmage

Lacrosse was just a 4 week clinic this fall since the season got cancelled in the spring.  There were maybe only 8 or 9 kids that participated each week, so there was a lot of one-on-one time with the kids and the coaches.  We'll see what this spring brings in terms of lacrosse - we'll be pretty busy with travel ball, so I'm not sure if we'll be able to make it work, or if Colin will be interested.  

I caught Colin working on some warm-up swings while his travel team was at-bat. 

Cadence volunteered to try catching!  She liked it a lot because you're always part of the game as catcher.  I think she really wants to try it out during travel ball in the spring, but we've told her it takes a lot of practice and dedication to get the job.  Either way, we were super impressed for her to try something new!

Even though there wasn't a traditional Delaware County Fair this year, the kids still had the day off from school.  I put the kids to work and they cleaned up their old Power Wheel Jeeps - we gave the pink one to the little girls across the street and Danny's cousin is taking the blue one for her son to use one day.  Glad they'll both be on their 3rd set of owners!

I learned that 2020 was the largest wildfire season recorded in California's modern history. It was so bad, that we could see the effects of it all the way in Ohio.  Each day in late September, the sunrise and sunset looked so odd!  You could look right at the sun and it was super orange.  I snapped a picture one morning while waiting for the bus with Colin.  I think a lot of the fires have calmed down, but I think there are still some burning.

Spring (Er, Late Summer) Recital

Cadence was supposed to have her spring recital in May, but COVID had other plans.  It ended up being postponed to the end of August.  I was shocked that it still ended up happening!  They decided to split up the show into sessions and you could only attend your child's session - it ended up being really nice that way!  Did I actually type that?  Ha!

Cadence did really well and played the theme song to Looney Tunes.  Even though she gets nervous, she's admitted that she loves being on stage.  Auntie Gail and Grandpa were in town, and it worked out well because Colin had a baseball game at the same time as the recital.  Auntie Gail was able to attend the recital with me and Mom while Grandpa went to Colin's baseball game with Danny and Dad!

2020-2021 School Year: First Day of School

I can't believe the kids are actually in school.  In person.  Knock on wood, but I really thought the in-person learning would last 2 weeks, max.  We had the option to send the kids to school full-time or they could do remote/virtual learning full-time.  Our district did not have a hybrid option.  Some districts are home some days and in-person some days to limit the number of students in the building at one time.  Our superintendent has said that school spread of COVID-19 has not been an issue.  The only thing that complicates matters is the number of teachers and substitute teachers.  If teachers are out due to COVID, or have to quarantine due to potential exposure, we could run into a the issue of a teacher shortage.  Luckily, we have not had that problem.  

This year, Cadence is at the Intermediate school for 5th and 6th graders.  She would have to be ready for the bus an hour earlier than she's used to, so Danny has been taking her to school everyday.  Colin is at the brand new elementary school.  It's crazy to think both kids are at new buildings and neither one of them got to check it out in person first!  Thankfully the principals at each school did a virtual tour and we got to watch that at home.  The teachers also created videos for the kids so they could get to know them.  I've been super impressed with the way the district has handled everything surrounding COVID.  Our kids are thriving and having fun...and they're healthy.  Can't really ask for much more.

The district took a staggered start approach this year, due to COVID.  Based on their last name, they started on different days of the week.  It was a good way to ease into things.  

We snapped a few pictures really quickly before Cadence had to head to school.  You can't really make out the writing on the chalkboard.  Cadence had fun decorating it this year.

Peep Cadence's face...she's too much

Obvi we had to include a mask picture - surprisingly the kids have done really well wearing their masks at school.  They do not complain at all.  Their biggest concern was wondering which of their friends also chose in-person learning.  They wanted to know who was in their class.  I'm so glad they're enjoying school!

Waiting for the bus with lil' dude :)