august update:

My photos continue to load on Blogger in reverse order, so let's go backward in time.  August was busy for me with training and the start of school.  Naomi continues distance learning, which has been difficult for her, and I am continuing to homeschool the boys until the pandemic gets better.  I figured a quick way to almost catch up is to lump random bits from August into one post.

Baking cookies to compare the new stoneware to the old.  Pretty much the same result.

Out for ice cream with Isaac.

First date in a month, at the end of August, to a Korean-Chinese restaurant with an outdoor tent and the Korean bakery afteward.  We took a break when cases spiked here.

We had some dumplings, mushu pork, tangerine chicken, (and shrimp we took home for Naomi).  Also some goodies from the bakery for the kids.

A friend got us this for National Dog Day!  It's Where's Waldo with dogs!

Pan-fried homemade spring rolls (but you can call them egg rolls; I don't care anymore).

Weekend rest.

Korean dduk (rice cakes), bulgogi, bok choy, soon dubu (soft tofu soup).

Office chairs sold out everywhere.  Makes sense.

Bread pudding made with our leftover croissants.

It looks like a lot, but it's easiest for me to cook this way (separate dishes).  Ham, noodles, greens, air-fried potatoes, tofu, and salad.

Soboro Don (ground chicken bowl)

Filipino tortas (my best friend used to make this in college) and shrimp with snow peas.  This was the beginning of Manny saying I'm cooking (and eating) too much food.

Stuffed peppers.  We had a heatwave, so I was avoiding the oven and so thankful for the pressure cooker.

Making boba at home with the pressure cooker is easy, too.

Picking up some lunch and mochi donuts for a friend and her children.  She lost her husband tragically last year and is a picture of strength and beauty.

Need to get out for a walk!  It was in the 90s I think, but that didn't stop us.

Yay!  I've cut his hair since, but it was getting so long!

First day of 10th grade!  Stopped her on her way to get the mail.  She's cut her own hair since.

And this one is the one so in need of a haircut that I couldn't fit his hair in the photo.  The barber is finally open, but we are still waiting a little while.

misc july:

July felt like summer and then it didn't.  There were no trips to the beach or the pool this year, no camp for Naomi.  Naomi stayed in her social bubble.  I felt it important for her to get out at least once in a while for her mental health.  Manny continued to work from home, except he goes into the lab maybe once a week.  I did "homeschool lite" with the boys.  Just kept living.

I had two Pampered Chef parties before I ran out of confirmed bookings.  It's been harder to get bookings, and I don't like to bother people, especially.  But I guess that is part of the business.  I also like to just focus on one party at a time.  The good thing is that it's a decent company, and I have plenty of happy customers who love their products.  I really want to grow this business.  I guess I have to just keep hustling.

Taking Nacho out for a walk.

Homemade basil and spinach pesto.

Cheddar biscuits.

Lucas and I had fun playing the Minecraft game Grandma got him.

Fajitas out of the microwave, for a cooking demo.  I love this ceramic pan.

I now do my videos more close up (so I can actually see the comments during my live videos).

Caprese Salad in one minute.

Kung Pao chicken, Asian beef, greens, and beef rib and tofu soup.  I enjoy making new foods in the new kitchen.  Yay!

Naomi drew this caricature of her friend.

Homemade mango pico de gallo for Naomi.  She helps me decide what to make.

Taking Isaac out for a walk.  He is so fun to walk with.

lucas is 12:

Happy birthday to Lucas!  During the pandemic, we've had the parties on the actual days of their birthdays instead of during the weekend.  This is the first year in five years we did not do the pool party for Lucas.  He wanted to go to Dave & Buster's anyway like we did for Manny's birthday, but that wasn't possible, either.  So I made him the vegan cupcakes and frosting he requested, and we got him two Whoppers and two slices of veggie pizza from Pizza My Heart.  He ate both slices plus one Whopper and two cupcakes.  And a lot of the Mexican soda he usually has at Grandma's.  The boy has an appetite!  He hasn't wanted the top of his hair cut, so his hair is big and wild on top right now.  The barbers just opened, but I think we'll wait a little longer to see if there is another spike.  In the meantime, I'm cutting Manny and the boys' hair (but not the top).

Grandma got Lucas got a game he's been wanting a long time called Minecraft Builder's and Biomes.  It was actually sold out when we originally looked.  She also sent money.  We got him a Bible and a bike helmet, both of which arrived that morning, which was pretty cool (the helmet wasn't to arrive for another two weeks originally).  I didn't upload the video here, because it's long and a very large file.

Naomi painted Lucas his favorite animals, penguins, and drew him a portrait.  It was really nice.  I love how she makes it personal.  Isaac and Lucas aren't very close these days.  They are just very different, and Lucas has a hard time being around Isaac.  I have decided to leave them alone to work it out.  But at least Isaac was there at the beginning.

Lucas is now 12 and starting sixth grade.  He likes video games, math, and food.  He still doesn't like candy, but Reese's peanut butter cups are his favorite.  His favorite subject to talk about is Nacho.  He still likes to hike and ride his bike, but we don't get out enough.  He misses the beach and pool sometimes, but overall he is pretty happy about the pandemic and being stuck at home.  He's the only one, I think.  

The kids, including Nacho.  I think Manny wasn't dressed, but that's his leg.

His choice for a birthday meal

Lucas loves lemonade

Love this penguin painting by Naomi

Cute