I'm joining Tanya and Kim at GirlXOXO for their #AMonthofFaves. Today is all about the "Moments of 2021. What were some of the moments this year that you are grateful for? We’re here for hearing all of it! It could be the simple things (I know that’s what I’m celebrating this year) or more epic adventures."
In some ways 2021 has been so great -- a return to normalcy, if you will. Or at least, getting much closer to normal. However, I need to remember (and to remind you) that 2021 had a lot of really hard things too. For many people in my province (Ontario in Canada), the first half of 2021 included almost four months of lockdown, only two months of in person school for our kids, and a feeling that Covid would never end. And for our family specifically, it brought our neighbours' very loud home renovation that overlapped with much of the kids' months of online learning. Thankfully, the last six months of 2021 have been really great, so I'm thankful for that.
In the first half of 2021, we tried to be thankful for the little things. Our family really enjoyed hiking and getting out to the forest.
Thankfully, in between our two lockdowns, Sam got to have a small, in-person gathering to celebrate his birthday with friends.
The second half of 2021 was much better.
Our pool opened for the summer and the kids could swim and have both swimming and tennis lessons and it felt much more normal. We LOVE our pool summers.
We enjoyed two weeks visiting my parents in Saskatchewan, including seeing some unique Saskatchewan sights. And Rachel got to drive for the first time which was the highlight of her summer!
The kids started off the new school year in person which was a total favourite!!! And I started off the school year by getting permanent hours which was HUGE job wise!
And so many things we hadn't done in a year and a half got to happen in person again...
Church gatherings
Gatherings (and hugs!!!) with friends and family
Blue Jays games
Festivals and events in our uptown
Dance performances
Another highlight of my year is absolutely my Blog Friends Book Club monthly gatherings. Even though we will likely never be in person (we live in three different states and one province), this group, and our wide-ranging conversations, will always be a favourite.
However, my absolute and forever all-time favourite of 2021 will always be Covid vaccines! I'm so thankful to science and every single person who is doing their part to get us out of this pandemic and back to normal life. Back to hugs. Back to in person gatherings. Back to school, church, and baseball games. Back to traveling. Just back. Thank you.
What about you? What were your favourite moments of 2021?
Come back on Wednesday when it's #AMonthofFaves: These are a Few of Our Favorite Things.
Seems more and more normal- we are getting there! Great to see your kids back to school and having some normalcy again! Yeah for vaccines too :)
ReplyDeleteThis year kind of blurs into last year! But getting to see our family again was much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteEven in a COVID world you had a great year!
ReplyDeleteYes, the first half of 2021 was pretty terrible, and I feel like I've blocked it from memory.
ReplyDeleteI too loved the return to more normal things-- like travel! Oh how I missed travelling.
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to focus more on the good than the bad, I love this!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on everything - including the permanent job hours - woohoo! 2021 was such an up and down year - but from this time of Covid, I know I appreciate the small things in life so much more too.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading through your year!!! (Even the hard parts.)
ReplyDeleteYes. So thankful for the vaccine and a return to more normal times. I'm hoping it continues to get better next year.
ReplyDeleteYou and your family managed to have a lot of great moment despite the hard times of COVID! I know you did not breathe even the slightest sigh of relief until your baby girl was finally able to get her shot, completing the family vaccinations.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to experience so many good things during such an awful year.
ReplyDeleteI'm so honored to be a part of your highlight reel for 2021! I do love our Book Club meets! And HOORAY for science and vaccines!!!!
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