Back to Work in the Time of COVID-19

The last few weeks have been full of worry and angst, as we prepare to go back into the "regular" world. There's nothing normal about the regular world anymore, as social distancing, face masks and standing in appropriately spaced lines become ordinary.

It has taken a lot of time for me to get used to the fact that I'm going back to work. I'm personally not too worried about being back in the office-- my company has implemented a slew of safety procedures in the office, including daily symptom self-screening, face masks, continuing virtual meetings, 3-people per elevator, and encouraging frequent hand washing. I've decided that I'll bike into work for the spring and summer-- and as far into the Fall as I can convince myself to manage the cold.

The part that's been hardest for me is putting our kids out into the world again. At 4, and almost 2, they just aren't quite old enough to understand what's happening. Scarlett is a rampant finger-sucker, and I don't think I can even count the number of times a day I utter the phrase, "Take that out of your mouth" to either of the girls.

We've been lucky that we've spent the last three months safe, at home. And the province has collectively done a good job at flattening the curve and reducing case numbers. But as things get back to a semblance of "normal", case numbers will inevitably rise. And I don't want to even think about how cold and flu season is going to play out this year!

I'm trying my hardest to focus on the positive things we've managed to do during these last few weeks at home... Before being back to work. So, here are some highlights of our spring.

There was baking. Looooots of baking. The girls really love banana chocolate chip muffins. But I think they're solely in it for the chocolate chips.

Lacey and I have done a ton of window painting. She loved the giant rainbow we painted on our front window, and we have seen plenty of people stop to admire our handiwork.

We roasted marshmallows on the BBQ to make smores!

We watched all those seeds we planted sprout into hearty tomato and cucumber seedlings.

We went on worm hunts in the rain.

There was some sleepy moments... Because Scarlett plays so very hard, and crashes even harder!

There have been cocktails... Oh, thank you LuluBar for the COVID-cocktails.

 There have been bike rides and picnics.  

There have been games!

Perhaps one of my favourite things about our time at home has been the increasing number of times I have come across these carefully staged scenes of toys lined up in some sort of action narrative. Sometimes I'm actively involved in the play, but sometimes I find them without realizing the girls had been playing. And I wonder, what were these ponies all doing in the car? Where were they going?

                                     

There will be more good times as the summer unfolds. But for now, wish me luck, as I head back to work.