The Waterstraut Waterspout: Social Distancing Journal, Days 245 to 257: Plus One to the Waterstraut Bubble

Day 245, Friday November 13

We decided sometime late October that we should try to get my mom down here for the holidays as safely as possible. We really don't HAVE to go anywhere. The boys all do their school work online/from home. Asa works at an online college from home. So, she could come down, so she wouldn't have to be alone for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We knew once she was here she might be stuck here for awhile (with rising cases and all), and we even moved up the date for her coming because of the cases escalating. Since she's here so long, we did decide to give her some pro tips.

Day 246, Saturday November 14

So on this Saturday, mom was meeting up with Asa and Calib in Atlanta. She spent the night before at Cort's lake house (alone) in Cincinnati, but still the trip from there too here is too long for her in one trip. So, we rented a car one way, dropped it off at the Atlanta airport and helped her drive the rest of the way- and by we, I mean Asa and Calib.

I stayed home with Peyton and Hayden and we celebrated John Adam's birthday.

Check out his crown I made him!

And then sometime around 8, everyone showed back up with mom. It's a plus one to the Waterstraut bubble.

Day 247, Sunday November 15

Our usual Sunday bike ride.

And mom unpacked. Look, she brought a bunch of good stuff with her!

And she was able to pick some lemons off our tree.

And she was here just in time for a Sunday taco bar.

Day 248, Monday November 16

Of course, mom is here, so the boys are a bit displaced. Peyton has been sleeping on the new futon in the office with the cats, Calib and Hayden are bunking in Peyton's room with the dogs, and mom is in Calib's room.

For the first few days everyone struggled to find a place to be in the middle of the day (especially on Monday and Tuesday when Asa dominates the office and Peyton can't stay in there).

This was that first Monday. Everyone was everywhere.

Hayden did have a curbside craft from the library to do. At least the library is trying to do something these days.

And Calib took to doing school work on the back patio.

Day 249 Tuesday, November 17

Cool enough for a sweatshirt on my morning walk with Ellie.

And a nice walk around the loop with Asa and Hayden.

My new finger puppets came. The day Biden won, I ordered a Dr. Fauci and a RBG one in honor of the election win.

I had to entertain myself somehow. Everyone was all spread out on their laptops doing school work.

And work-work.

And Khan Academy.

Oh, and we got some pumpkin bread in the mail from Aunt Patti.

Day 250, Wednesday November 18

We celebrated James Polk's birthday. I had a special shirt for him.

And made him a nice to-do list.

We started a new puzzle.

Hayden did his drawing.

And we took a spin around the loop.

I made mom her own 'do not disturb' sign for her door.

And, I accidently hid a bunch of liquor she brought in our closet. But, we found it.

Day 251, Thursday November 19.

Mom brought us some new masks she made. Though, since she's been here we've exclusively done delivery and curbside and drive thrus. We haven't so much as set foot in Costco.

The 19th was the 50th anniversary of my parents first date. So we celebrated by getting cookies from the new Crumbl bakery near us (they have curbside).

And we decided to finally try Hungry Harry's BBQ for dinner.

We ordered way too much food- and had it for three meals. But it was really good.

Way too much. Still, SO GOOD.

Cheers!

Oh, and those cookies by the way, are HUGE. But, delicious. It's become our new treat obsession.

Day 252, Friday November 20

Poor Etta was cold.

But it warmed up enough for a loop walk.

And we found time to work on the puzzle.

And we all got a curbside craft at the library.

Teacup herbs with everything we needed.

Look how cute.

We also had to move Calib's giant beanbag chair out to the front room, and Hayden is a fan.

Day 253, Saturday November 21

Puzzle progress.

And look, we got Peyton to come on a bike ride with us!

Day 254, Sunday November 22

Finished the puzzle (this was one of my absolute favorites!)

It was so colorful and fun, and it's a Ravensburger!

Day 255, Monday November 23

Usual boring get some things done while Asa works- but we did fit in a walk (Asa's been getting bonus time off during the day because he's doing so awesome)

Day 256, Tuesday November 24

A morning walk with Ellie

And then grandma found a lizard in her room and Peyton had to help her catch it.

Day 257, Wednesday November 25

We swung by Crumbl to pick up some cookies for our Thanksgiving dessert.

And mom ordered me Calvin Coolidge cheese! It's a thing, I promise. His dad owned a creamery that is still in use today and you can have their cheese sent to you in a special box! (I got the box for Christmas, but the cheese needs to be refrigerated so that couldn't wait.)