Happy Covid Birthday!

This season of birthdays has been quite unique for us.  With social distancing and far too many businesses closed due to a pandemic, celebrating has taken on a whole new form--largely a more simplistic one (not that we, as a family, were ever over the top) and along with the changes has come multiple conversations of explanations as children realize that their plans must be reimagined and their ideas of a celebration newly conceptualized.  IN some ways it's helped us to really find the core of what is important in marking a moment.

My birthday was the first Covid celebration.  At that time, shelter in place was voluntary, as was the closing of business.  We were happy to have been able to buy the groceries we desired to make a special meal and were equally as thrilled that the garden remained open.    The weather was wonderful and John and I enjoyed a stroll admiring the beauty of spring. 

Dinner was specially made by John and the kids and dessert was a fabulous fruit flambe over non-dairy ice cream by John accompanied by wine jellos with edible flowers by Nikolas.  :-)

My new sushi plate.  It has a lovely trifecta--bees, sunflowers and lavender :-)

When toilet paper and wine make exciting birthday gifts. you know you are living in strange days

A gift to help me SIP (Shelter In Place)

This is 46

Nikolas had the next Covid birthday.  By the time his birthday rolled around--just five days later--shelter in place was now expected and no business that was considered non-essential was open while those that were all operated under service modifications.  Our usual lunch and casual shopping day was planned to be replaced by a gathering of teen friends this year, however, Covid effectively shut down both.  Instead, Nikolas worked in the morning, had a quite afternoon at home receiving well wishes via tech, and the evening brought cake and gifts (which even gift buying/giving was compromised by closed stores, item sell outs, and longer than normal shipping for online purchases).  However, Nikolas had, what he called, a great day and he was very pleased with the love and gifts that helped to mark his day. 

Nikolas enjoyed loving calls from friends and family who wanted to wish him a happy birthday

Much love to our boy as we celebrate another blessed year of having him with us

Nikolas wanted a very specific shirt for his birthday.  The problem was that it didn't exist on the market.  The perfect answer was a friend near by who has an Etsy shop for shirt making.  She helped to make a birthday wish come true.  Thanks a ton Natalie! 

He loves his shirt! 

This is 17!  

 Nikolas and I decided that a very happy un-birthday may very well be in order once restrictions are lifted 

Above all, we have each other, and we have God, all else is icing on the cake.  So birthday while we SIP or not, we can celebrate!