We have taken a short pause in our travel adventure to spend time with family. We may not be exploring exotic locations, but we are still making wonderful memories. Having the flexibility to spend extended time with family is a blessing.
After our 14-day quarantine was over we did a lot of hugging. We got to hug grandmas and aunts and uncles. We did video chat a lot with family while we were traveling, but there is something special about seeing each other in person. You cannot have nerf battles over the Internet.
After Atlanta, we headed to Winston-Salem, North Carolina where I (Judy) grew up to spend time with my dad and stepmom. The kids are having a blast.
My parents live in a quiet culdesac. The boys are outside a lot playing baseball and basketball. They are also collecting acorns for their slingshot. Fall is bringing the cooler temperatures and we are taking advantage of that.
Aunt Sandy is providing arts education for the boys. She was a dancer and spent several years as an arts educator. We have been reading plays and doing puppet shows. Henry has a flare for the dramatic, but Lucas can hold his own. Lucas may become an acrobat. Aunt Sandy also has two adorable dogs, Darla and Bear. We took a dog-walking field trip with them to Reynolda Gardens.
Although our schedule is a little off-kilter, Lucas and Henry are still getting in their school work. We incorporated a fun Lego project this week. The boys got the Millenium Falcon a couple of years ago as a present from grandpa Richard. They were a little too little to put it together back then. This week they put it together in a flash and have been enjoying playing with it.
The home-cooked meals and sweet treats have been great. Grandpa Richard makes a mean milkshake when he is not spilling it everywhere.
It was also nice to be home with family to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Michael was raised Catholic and I was raised Jewish. We are not religious, but it is meaningful to celebrating holidays with family. The food is really good too.
For us, the adventure can happen wherever we are. There will still be epic trips to faraway places, but for now, this is where we need to be.
