Well, this sure has been a long time coming! Every single time I think about and want to update this blog, I get upset and depressed that I haven't done it in SOO long. At first, I was determined to catch up and add posts/ memories. But then, life would happen and I wouldn't get to it and the next thing I knew, it was impossible to just 'catch up' and I knew I would just have to resolve myself with the fact we would have a 'black hole' of time and memories on this platform. And then.... more time would pass..... AGGHHH! Needless to say- enough is enough and TODAY IS THE DAY!!
We have made it through so much since our last post- the most life altering of course was 2020- and the Pandemic that was/ is Covid19. In a nutshell, I feel like #thebandofburkes were able to navigate this past year and come out on top and with life lessons learned and definitely closer as a family (as I hope the same for you all!). A quick* recap of our 2020 (I'll do my best, but come-on... it was a whole YEAR!) :
We actually began the entire Pandemic in the most magical of places... Walt Disney World!??! We were there for Kaitlyn's National Cheer Competition. While we had debated even going, it ended up being the BEST trip ever. We were able to literally be the LAST people in Magic Kingdom before the shut down (thanks to cheer, we were able to attend a party at the kingdom from 10pm-2am complete with rides, DJ and glow lights!!). The cast members were all AMAZING at all 4 parks and the resorts. There was more Pixie Dust flying around then ever before and I'm so glad my kids got to be a part of it all. And on top of it all, Kaitlyn (a/k/a Charlie) brought home a First Place win and a National Championship Ring. Way to go girl!
At our amazing resort- The Caribbean Beach
One of the teams Charlie cheers on
Such sweet girls
Waiting for us when we came home from sweet friends and neighbors:
Thank goodness for friends- we would have literally had no bread or milk for weeks as there was none to be found in the city!
Once we came back from Florida, we buckled down and quarantined at home for a strict 2 weeks (Mike stayed and worked from home as well), as we had been in such a public place and had flown. Mike went back to the office after 2 weeks, but was still very careful and the kids and I were essentially locked down. With schools closed/ virtual, there was no reason to leave the house anyway, so we just hunkered down and spent time together working, schooling and thankfully we were able to spend time at the pool!
Fun schedule that we tried to stick to.... at first 😉
Virtual Cheer Conditioning
Last Day of School.... in Pajamas!!
We got to do a 'drive by' at our school at the end of the year to pick up anything left behind and to say good-bye to our beloved teachers 💖 Mikey with Mrs. Ellsworth
Mikey with Mrs. Threatt
Kaitlyn with Ms. Byrd (I don't think her first year of teaching went quite as expected!)
Virtual End of the Year Cheer Party/ Awards
Since we were locked up in the house, staring at our same walls, we figured it was also time to finish and change those walls. Mr. #bandofburkes has touched every piece of this home since we moved into it over 10 years ago. The playroom where he created forts and secret rooms for our babies, each of their bedrooms and our master bedroom and bath which also included moving the washer and dryer upstairs for me. The final big project (the one that he has wanted to do since day #1 and I was the one who resisted) was the downstairs where he moved the living room to the front of the house and closed in our dining room. All which was part of his bigger plan. And now, since we had literally nothing else going on- why not now?! So- downstairs renovation part 7645 and final phase: here we come (unfortunately, I'm horrible and did NOT take any good 'before' pictures at all. In my defense, my husband is pretty spontaneous and when he decides to do something- it gets started immediately! So if you're not there with a camera, too bad, so sad! 😆)
Part of this process included having the floors refinished, which we could not stay in the house while it was being done. So we left and stayed at the cutest 'tiny house' on the lake up the street for a couple of days. The kids and I had a blast on our 'staycation'!
So EMPTY! (save for the fabulous built-ins built by Mr. #bandofburkes which coincidently are the perfect size for that massive tv??!!)
Another change we made, I traded my 'mom-mobile' (a Ford Excursion), in for this sweet ride. And We. Love. It! Adventuring: Here we come!!!
Don't worry, I don't let them ride up there!
One more super big change for our sweet boy, Mikey got the one thing he's been asking begging for years: BRACES! He was the happiest boy in all of the land!
BEFORE
Can you just get over that new smile?? It's my absolute favorite. I love this kid
Some of the adventures we took in the great outdoors:
Apple Picking with Dad
Hiking and River frolicking
Putt-Putt
Best Friends
TUBING!!
And our most favorite adventure of the year: CAMPING? Yes- camping! In a tent! We found our mecca (for now) and it was THE BEST. So good in fact, we went back a couple of weeks later.... in the cold (and if anyone knows me- camping, in a tent, at the end of October- would most definitely NOT be my jam! But, you guys: it was amazing, fun family time and I'll do it again!)
Back yard movie nights!
We started back to school. Mikey and Kaitlyn are face-to-face 5 days a week. While I'm super thankful for this choice and option- at the same time I want everyone to know that it has its challenges as well and I understand that virtual learning has its struggles too. I know right now is so hard for parents and children as there is no perfect solution and choice.
All that being said, for the #bandofburkes, we are doing the best that we can, and trying to do it with the most positive attitude possible. What will be, will be! and We Can Do This!
My FIFTH and FOURTH graders!
Once sports starting opening up again, Mikey went right back into football. This fall he had to settle for flag, but he was still happy. Kaitlyn was back into cheer with her friends and Mikey was able to try hockey with his best friend:
Our girl celebrated a Quarantine Birthday and is 11... wait, what??!! How is this possible? The only thing she wanted and asked for was a puppy. She got clothes. 😉😁
Thanksgiving was SO different this year too- but still nice. We decided since we couldn't celebrate with family and friends like we are used to, we would just get a reservation at a nice restaurant and have a small dinner just the 4 of us. It was actually nice to not have to stress about groceries or planning or cooking and just enjoy each others company. That being said- it will be nice to have our annual 'Friendsgiving' again as soon as we are able!
We were still able to take our annual trip to cut down our Christmas tree- but we just made it a day trip this year instead of a weekend. It was great to be able to continue traditions and I think the kids picked out a BEAUT!
Kaitlyn and I were unable to attend the Nutcracker this year- which she was very upset about. So I was able to find something else instead. But hopefully next year we'll be back!
I found a company that did a performance virtually and we watched that from home- dressed up and all!
And onto Christmas......as I mentioned, Kaitlyn had been asking for about a year (and pretty insistently for 6 solid months) for a puppy. When we were able to go see Santa this year- she secretly asked him for a puppy even though we had told her over and over that wasn't something Santa could or would bring and that a puppy just wasn't in the cards.
Every time she found stuffed animals, she would search and find the 'perfect' puppy- they always looked like this and show me. Little did she know, he had already been selected from his litter months ago and would soon be in her arms. Thankfully-- they look exactly the same!!!!!
SO a week before Christmas, we couldn't make them suffer any longer. I arranged a scavenger hunt while dad was on the long car ride to go pick up the sweet baby. I wish I had better pics of the present and the reaction, but I was too busy living in the moment! What I do have is an excruciatingly long video of the entire scavenger hunt, but you're welcome to fast forward through it!! But here is the end result: Meet Teddy Burke!
New Family photo- Christmas Eve!
February brought a milestone birthday for our boy: double digits! What is happening to my babies?!! We had a nice, family birthday with a cake designed and picked out all by the birthday boy himself!
Which brings us full circle back to March- 2021. We're getting back into sports: Mikey is doing tackle football this spring as soccer. Kaitlyn is wrapping up her cheer competition season (already has 2 first place championships under her belt. Yay Charlie!). I have gotten both of my vaccinations an am good to go. Mike has finished his first round and will have his second by the end of this month. We feel really good about that and possibly being able to see more family this year. It was hard not to have visited with or seen any family at all this whole year. But, we also know it was for the greater good and were able to spend time with each other, and that was good too.
So-- for this first post, I guess it did end up being a 'catch up' post albeit unintentionally. It sure turned into a novel, so I apologize for that- but I did warn you! And it was quite a year!
I'm making a goal to do better..... hold me to it!
