2020 has been quite the year.
From the global pandemic to the Presidential election and racial injustice, 2020 will not be a year that is easily forgotten. Social media has been more prevalent than ever, yet people have been divided in a way that is hard to comprehend. Emotions and tensions have been at an all time high.
Even through all of this turmoil and uncertainty, people have had to continue to survive and make the best of things. While there have been many challenges for our family, there has also been hope and bright spots. So, in that spirit, I’d like to share our 2020 experiences, highlighting the good.
We Survived Digital Learning
When schools were closed in March, we never thought that would be it for the year. I can still remember coming home from a going away party (oh how I miss parties!) and my kids were so excited that they didn’t have school the next week. Little did we all know what was in store!
The boys missed their friends, their teacher, and the routine we had finally gotten used to. We got frustrated with each other. We got sick of each other.
Learning strictly from a computer was new and difficult. While the teachers and school were amazing, there were still some kinks to be worked out. We were all thrown in a situation we were not prepared for, while at the same time dealing with the stress of a health crisis.
Still, we pushed through.
We Zoomed with our classes and had digital conferences. Our teachers waved to us as they drove through our neighborhood in a parade. We did Gonoodle, Cosmic Yoga, and Zoomed some more.
It was exhausting, but we did it.
We Enjoyed Our Summer
Even though it wasn’t the same, we still had a fun summer. We soaked up the sun and did as much outdoors as we could. From doing new things, like strawberry picking and petting animals at a preserve, to old favorites like the visiting the zoo and neighborhood parks.
We got a new patio set, so we could be comfortable and have friends over at a safe distance. Movie nights were frequent with the projector my husband got for his birthday. We also grilled out, the boys camped in the yard (in the bus, of course!) and ran through the sprinkler. They also got to enjoy our neighbor’s pool.
Mr. B played Little League for the first time!
Baseball was truly a highlight of the summer. Driving him to practice and watching the games felt like the normalcy we were missing. He had great friends on the team, learned a lot, and can’t wait to play again this next year. His team won their division and the tournament!
Instead of a big vacation, we took a quick road trip to Door County. We played it safe by choosing a hotel that took COVID precautions and ate at outdoor restaurants. The boys swam in the pool by themselves, and we did miniature golfing. I was sad I didn’t get to do any shopping, but the field of sunflowers made up for it.
The Boys Went Back to School
After much debate, we decided to send our children back to school. It was an extremely hard decision, but it turned out to be the best one for our family.
It has been a great decision.
Our school has been extremely safe, and we have, luckily, remained healthy. The boys have been doing a great job, and my stress level has definitely decreased.
We Found New Ways to Celebrate
Starting with a friend’s birthday in late March, drive-by birthdays became the big trend around here. From car decorations and homemade signs to gifts and treats being left on the curb, people have proved that celebrating will never be cancelled.
The twins had a Sonic the Hedgehog themed drive-by, while my husband organized a wine drive-by for me. I even had friends drive an hour and a half to hang out at a safe distance. Those are some great friends!
A New Member Joined Our Family
Perhaps the biggest event of 2020 was a puppy joining our family. Starting off as a surprise for Mr. B’s birthday, Loki has turned into one of the best parts of 2020 for our entire family.
He may have caused some sleepless nights and ruined more than a few pairs of socks, but he’s totally worth it. His snuggles, licks, and even puppy bites, have completely won over everyone in the family.
No, I don’t love potty training or wiping another butt, but I do love this dog more than I ever thought I would. 2020 was the year I became a dog mom!
Holidays Were Also Different
No Easter egg hunt at Grandma’s house, Fourth of July parade, or family dinner for Thanksgiving this year. No Christmas Eve at my parent’s or Christmas day with my husband’s side of the family. So, we found new ways to spend the holidays.
The boys were able to hunt eggs in the living, we saw some neighborhood fireworks displays, and made our first Thanksgiving dinner at home. We were able to trick or treat safely, and we even wore our costumes to march around a nursing home. The residents were so excited to see us through their windows!
Yes, we missed being able to celebrate with family, but it wasn’t the first time we had to be apart. It was actually easier this time, knowing that everyone was in the same position. We did Zooms, Facetimes, and even saw some family at a safe distance with masks on.
For Christmas Eve, my parents made their traditional appetizers, and we picked them up to eat at home. We ordered Christmas dinner, drove through the neighborhood to see lights, and ended the night with a movie. It was a lot quieter, but it was still nice.
Farewell 2020
Tonight, on New Year’s Eve, we won’t be celebrating with friends and family as we usually do. While it is disappointing, we do have a lot to be thankful for this year.
I’m so grateful for our health and our family’s health. We have been lucky with our jobs and home.
Yes, we have missed out on a lot of events, traditions, and celebrations, but we made it through challenges, stressful situations, and loss. In a year of unexpected circumstances, I’m so proud of my family and the way we’ve made the best of everything that’s been thrown at us.
So, goodbye 2020! Cheers to the New Year!
Wishing you and your family lots of love and happiness in 2021!
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