April 2021 Recap

Looking back at April 2021, we were just plugging along with work and school and trying to enjoy our weekends.  

We had a nice weekend and decided to get outside to a new-to-us park, Willow Waterhole, which is only about 15 minutes from our house. The bluebonnets were in bloom!

Henry loves to run and jump!

We celebrated another Easter with just the four of us. Ham and all the fixings!

Easter baskets, of course

And Nana made the boys sweet bread. Yum!

Gene and I were invited to a virtual symphony concert that included a charcuterie board from Tony's!

 

We also think about food a lot -- in fact, I think most of the pictures on Gene's phone are of food! We do meal planning on the weekend to make weeknights easier.  

Fajitas

Codfish

Codfish cakes

Steak two ways

Pulled Pork

Gene got his boat in April too and has been really enjoying it.  

Gene's dad helped him sail it around to the Houston Yacht Club.  

Some miscellaneous photos:  I voted in our city election.

Henry got some new shoes.

Snickers (and Orie) turned one. We honestly can imagine not having the kittens.

And I attended the TLA (Texas Librarian Association) conference virtually but with other librarians from my district. I am so looking forward to an in-person conference in 2022!

That's it for April 2021!

April 2020 Recap

April was month of at-home learning and working from home as we sheltered in place during the pandemic. It was a month of balance and learning the "new normal" while trying not to go stir-crazy. Who knew back in April that things would only get worse?

For the last two months of school, the kids had online Zoom classes four mornings a week, with Wednesday mornings reserved for independent work and teacher office hours. Gene and I both worked from home, and we managed pretty well. 

Henry created a found poem for an English assignment. He was worried about it but it turned out better than he could have expected!

Here are some of the things that kept us sane during April:

Almost daily bike rides in the afternoon with Henry: 

We started our butterfly garden with native flowering plants as well as lots of milkweed. The monarchs found our garden and laid tons of eggs and we were able to watch the life cycle several times over.

Monarch caterpillar molting

Caterpillar making a J curve in preparation to form chrysalis

Easter during the pandemic was quiet. The kids had Easter baskets and enjoyed sweet bread for breakfast. We went to Mass online and then had ham for dinner. 

After Easter, I had Monday off while everyone else went "back" to school and work. After a weekend when all parks were closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Ruby and I got up early to go to the Houston Arboretum when they opened at 7am. We had a long delightful walk. 

After my first early morning walk, it became a regular part of our weekly routine. Getting outside in nature is one of the things that has kept us sane and healthy. It's also been a delight to see how the park changes with the seasons. 

Blackberry season

Asp!

We also went strawberry picking up at Wood Duck Farm. 

Strawberry shortcake!

The state parks closed briefly, but then reopened to limited numbers with a mask requirement. We were excited to go hike at Stephen F. Austin State Park on a beautiful spring day.  

On Wednesdays, when the boys didn't have online class, Henry and I often went to Hermann Park. 

And beyond getting outside, we spent a lot of time cooking. Gene smoked a pork butt for pulled pork, which was delicious.

We continued shopping at the farmers market and signed up for a CSA again, so we always have fresh fruits and veggies.

What kinds of things kept you sane during the beginning of the pandemic?