We entered 2021 still in the middle of a global pandemic, making life very unusual. Also also, it started with lots of snow. I started working at LifeTime as a kids club class instructor and rock climbing supervisor. That led to a lot of happy gym time for the kids and I. And ended up being a place where we could go outside of the house – because LifeTime never shut down or drastically changed their operations.

Heading into spring we spent lots of time running around outside, in the forest preserve and around the neighborhood. We started to work on remodeling our home. And we decided an ambitious “stay-cation” Spring Break was in order – down to St. Louis for the city museum and Magic House, then up to Wisconsin for a stay at Great Wolfe Lodge. We all had a great time.

We have an old sauna in the basement, and I use is all the time to have a little “me” time. But, Viv always finds me and tries to talk to me from outside the door.

Summer included a start for Theo in baseball and Isaac and Bailey getting married (after postponing from 2020).

Vivian continues to find me in the sauna.

The men in our family took an epic trip to Alaska and we spent lots of time at the pool.

The boys went to summer camp in Indiana and Vivian spent time at “camp grandma.”

Me travelled up to Michigan a few times, for the beach and to celebrate with family.

Vivian insisted on an Alien Tea Party for her birthday. Obviously very common. But we understood the assignment.

School started back up in it’s haphazard, delicate way. We had to watch for coughs and fevers. And if anyone in the class was sick… how close was that person. And if a sibling is sick, then everyone has to stay home. And if you have a fever, you are quarantined for two weeks… or whatever the guidelines of the week happened to be. The whole school “shut down” two different times.

And every one just did their best.

We popped into the city a couple times in my favorite month in Chicago – October.

And then all of the sudden the end of the year was here.

A few extras from the year.

Viv tried – and quickly hated – soccer. Both Vivian and Finn kept going strong with hockey. And Harry decided to play basketball for the first time – in 7th grade!

Theo’s Birthday Interview:

How tall are you? I’m four foot one.

Now that you’re SEVEN, what’s different? That I’m taller and… umm…. and I’m a different age and I have new toys.

What’s your favorite food? RIBS

Who is your favorite friend? Zach

What do you want to be when you grow up? Vet.. I mean.. Reptile Breeder.

What does daddy do at work? He works to get money. He does ping pong and other stuff.

What do you like best about Daddy and Mommy? I like best about Mommy, she, she… ummm… she helped us buy this house. Daddy – um he plays with me and he also helped us get this house.

How strong is daddy? um. really strong. Stronger than Harry at least.

What’s mom’s favorite thing to do? Uh, workout and relax.

What’s your favorite thing about Harry, Finn, and Viv? My favorite thing about Viv is that she’s cute. My favorite thing about Finn is that he’s funny. I like about Harry is that he’s a weird guy.

What do you think of girls? That I don’t like them!

If you could have a super power, what would it be? Turn invisible.

What’s the best thing that happened to you this year? That is was my birthday.

Where do you want to go on vacation? Actually to Florida!

Are you going to get married someday? ahh. Maybe.

How do you make cookies? You get dough. You bake it. With chocolate chips in it. There you go! And put sugar in it!

Can you tell me a joke? “What did the snowman say to the other snowman?” “What?” “Do you smell carrots?” hahahaha

What do you know about God and Jesus? that they have magical powers. Like when I fell off my bike I would’ve got really really hurt but I didn’t get that much hurt because of God.

Harry’s Birthday Interview:

How tall are you? 5’6″

Now that you’re 12, what’s different? school

What’s your favorite food? i don’t have one. I like a lot of foods. probably popcorn. or corndogs, or shrimp, or hamburgers

Who is your favorite friend? Liam or Sydney. Both.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a reptile breeder, but I know that can’t happen. I’ll figure it out when I’m in high school or something. But it’ll probably be something about engineering.

What does daddy do at work? He talks in meetings and um, I think he organizes other meetings. And talks to his friends about how to balance out the company.

What do you like best about Daddy and Mommy? Daddy – that he’s fun. Mommy – that you’re willing to take care of all of us. You’re not lazy. If you can do it, you will do it.

How strong is daddy? pretty strong

What’s mom’s favorite thing to do? probably like, watch tv and cuddle up with everyone.

What’s your favorite thing about Finn, Theo and Viv? Finn – he likes video games and he’s really good at it. Theo – I like how friendly he is and how he gets along with everyone. Vivian – I like how funny she is.

What do you think of girls? I don’t know. They’re all different.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? Um… I gotta think about that one …. telekineses

What’s the best thing that happened to you this year? Getting my bearded dragon.

Where do you want to go on vacation? Wyoming.

Are you going to get married someday? probably. I hope so. Cuz I think it would be fun raising a family.

How do you make cookies? I’m not much of a baker… haha. But I think you add sugar, chocolate chips, flour, milk, baking powder. Eggs. And cooking spray. That’s it. I don’t want to go through everystep. You mix it all together, put it in the oven, pull them out, wait for them to cool down. done.

Can you tell me a joke? “What does the variable Z wear to bed?” “A onsie!”

What do you know about God and Jesus? that a lot of people believe in them and that alot of people believe that they created the earth and animals and people. And that they represent Easter and Christmas.

Finn’s Birthday Interview:

How tall are you? 5 and a half foot, not inches

Now that you’re 10, what’s different? nothing. maybe my birthday. its the first birthday i went to a go kart place

What’s your favorite food? hum… any type of pizza and maybe pork ribs

Who is your favorite friend? austin or dylan or michael

What do you want to be when you grow up? a zoologist or a NHL player

What does daddy do at work? he’s a manager for a trading company

What do you like best about Daddy and Mommy? that dad always plays video games with us and that you always make us good food, and that you’re around to help us with school and stuff and always buy us stuff

How strong is daddy? he can probably bench like, 200lbs or something like that. how should i know?

What’s mom’s favorite thing to do? i want to say cooking or studying but that doesn’t sound right. mom what do you like to do?

What’s your favorite thing about Finn, Theo and Viv? viv – she always wants to play video games with me. harry – he ALWAYS plays video games with me, Theo – how we get along, usually

What do you think of girls? i need a more specific question. ask me that question next year.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? to never be bored again

What’s the best thing that happened to you this year? my birthday or going to the go karting place

Where do you want to go on vacation? japan bc thats where lots of video games are made and they have lots of candy and sushi

Are you going to get married someday? yes

How do you make cookies? buy them at the store, think outside the box

Can you tell me a joke?

“what’s a dinosaur’s favorite treat?” “dino-smores.”

What do you know about God and Jesus? that god created the earth and the universe probably and that jesus was the one to forgive all our sins when he died on the cross. i think. and jesus was born in bethlehem in this feeding trough thing. and his mom was mary and God was technically his father

Viv’s Birthday Interview:

How tall are you? Maybe dad will know. I don’t know how tall I am.

Now that you’re 6, what’s different? That I’m 6!

What’s your favorite food? Strawberries

Who is your favorite friend? Emma

What do you want to be when you grow up? Vet

What does daddy do at work? He like goes on meetings, right? I don’t know what dad works so I just say meetings.

What do you like best about Daddy and Mommy? That he’s my daddy and I love him. ohhh— that she’s a girl like me.

How strong is daddy? really really strong. like super strong as a man

What’s mom’s favorite thing to do? play with me?

What’s your favorite thing about Finn, Theo and Harry? Finn – I know – the magnet heart he gave me, he’s very kind. Harry, that he lets me play with him. Theo, hum, that he plays with me and he’s kind.

What do you think of boys? They play video games? And they’re nice but some are not like the guy that squirted the gun at me in the deep pool.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? It would be teleportation.

What’s the best thing that happened to you this year? When we went to the big slide at bible school (yesterday).

Where do you want to go on vacation? To Hawaati

Are you going to get married someday? No. Cuz boys are gross.

How do you make cookies? I don’t know how to make cookies, haha. Flour, chocolate chips and i don’t know the rest. you cook it? you eat it.

Can you tell me a joke? Knock Knock?

Who’s there

Orange who?

Who’s there?

Orange who?

knock knock?

Orange you glad I didn’t say bananan

I don’t know how it goes but that’s my favorite.

What do you know about God and Jesus?

Jesus is God’s son. ya. And God loves you. and Jesus helps us with a lot of stuff when he was on earth.

Kid Words

You looked so cute in your flower girls dress – Theo, to vivian

One time I felt something gooey and it was actually just poo in my underwear – Vivian

When I get a first date I’m gonna ask her to go to cheesecake factory. I’m gonna go put our name in then go home and change and go pick her up. Then we’ll come back and our table will be ready – Finn

(Playing the game of Life) “You just got the “nicest person award” card mom…. makes sense” – Harry

I have to tell you the truth. I love Christmas. But i hate snow. vivian

I love that we’re working on the house. I think it’s thrilling – Harry

(Finds ball in neighbors yard) Hey i forgot i put this here – Finn

My favorite part of 5th grade is that Theo will be able to tell everyone he has a brother in 5th grade – Finn

Why do you need makeup mom? you’re married – Harry

What’s it called when they celebrate someone’s life who dies?

A funeral?

Ya – I want to go to Luke Bryan’s funeral. – and exchange with Theo

When the Red Hot Chili Peppers die I want to take their place – Theo

Door bells rings “That’s either Carter or daddy’s sandwich” viv

(Sees Kids4Cars billboard) I wish we could trade Finn in for a car – theo

Theo gave me a compliment!! Vivi

On the bus I was quiet as an orange – Viv

You know who I hate the most?

Who?

The person who invented corona virus – Theo

“you have good taste in music” Finn, to the office manager at the dentist office

You think grandma will be excited to see you?

Viv -yes she will!

And I’ll be excited to see grandma – Harry

I’m going to eat everything containing sugar in here – Finn at the Kalahari resort buffet

I don’t like my meetings with Paul, because he’s good at his job – Harry (ab his mental performance coach)

Mom, I forgot to tell you my list of complaints – Harry

I’d rather play my baritone than dance. And you know how much I don’t like playing my baritone. – Harry, at Isaac’s wedding.