Spiderwoman

 

Dumpling Duty

For Nola's history class, one of her final projects was to cook a dish from Asia during a time period they were studying (Genghis Khan, Mongols, Dynasty). She decided on vegetable dumplings. With help from Brett, she totally killed them. She edited a great video, and her teacher even asked if he could put it on the history Instagram page. She titled her video "The Great Evans Cooking Show", or TGECS. Here's the video.

Top o' the Year Hug

 A beautiful picture during an ugly time in our nation's history (coup attempt and worst surge of COVID).

We Have A Winner!!!

    Hi, it's Nola! Basically, I listen to this radio station all the time, 99.7, and they have a contest where they mash up 0.5 seconds of a hit song and there are five of them. All the people who had called in the attempt had lost, yet me, a 12-year old, 6th grader, won!!! I was soooo happy!! I won a mask and something else but I don't know what it is yet. Even though I didn't win any money or anything, I was still really excited! Here's my reaction : 

Good Riddance, 2020!

 Sarek, with his favorite orange bridge, on the last day of an unforgettable year. Good riddance, 2020!

To the (Family Dog) Rescue

Somewhere along the developmental time-space continuum, Nola overcame her fear of dogs. In fact, she did a 180 and is now obsessed with dogs. She wants one so bad. But, alas, we would have to put Brett in the shed to avoid anaphylaxis. She scratches the doggie itch by volunteering at Family Dog Rescue, a dog shelter thankfully very close to our house. It's the only shelter around that lets kids volunteer. If she had it her way, she'd be basking the sun with dogs on her lap for hours, but I make her do the less thankful but more necessary stuff, like wash dog dishes and pick up poop. I usually have a good time once I'm there.  Here she is on Christmas Eve Day, helping out so the core staff can close up. Dog shelters are an essential service in COVID but require staffing 365 days a year, so Nola gets her dog fix and also gets the staff home early to their loved ones. Win-win.

Christmas 2020

 Christmas, like most everything this year, occurred during the pandemic. Somehow that made it more special, although we don't usually travel for this holiday. Nola made Santa merengue snowmen instead of cookies this year. Deena worked the night shift but got to celebrate all the good stuff. We got matching holiday pajamas for the first time but found out on Christmas Eve that Nola's set had been excluded. Ever teh generous soul, Sarek offered to give his set to his little sister. Brett, a boogie boarding convert during COVID, got ocean related loot. Santa stuffed Deena's stocking with liquor stash, just what working moms need when everyone is home 24-7 with remote school and work. Nola's favorite present from Santa was Just Dance 2021. Sarek scored an iPad from Grandma Tarah and learned that with grandparents, "Ask and you shall receive" is alive and well.