Gathering, tentatively, and a very fine line

Despite California's June "reopening" and the nonchalant behavior of many people across the country (mostly in other parts) throughout the pandemic, we have been super COVID-conservative with socializing with our kids all 2020-2021, including this summer.

The longer this pandemic rages, particularly with the widespread Delta variant, due to frustrating (and frankly, in my healthcare worker and parental opinion, unethical and unconscionable) vaccine hesitancy/refusal, it has become increasingly difficult as a parent to make decisions (without a lot of agonizing and second-guessing) of what is "reasonable," "safe," and "necessary" for our kids. (It's almost harder to make decisions now than before, when we just "stayed home"/kept to ourselves).

We haven't been invited to many social outings, but would have normally declined most.  I have been dragging my feet and have held off on enrolling Iver in any camps, lessons, or activities that are not school-related for fear of any quarantines (due to the potential involvement kids whose families or vaccine attitudes we don't know) which would disrupt our ability to have childcare during our work-weeks. I am not particularly scared about the health implications of COVID (even Delta or long-haul COVID) in my kids or our (vaccinated) selves but rather the ramifications of spread, isolation, or quarantines. Nevertheless, living in "fear of disruption" or our lives/work is not a comfortable place to be daily. I worry that I am holding my kids back from activities (and people) that bring them joy, but am not sure at what cost or if it's the right call.  Nothing in life is without risk, but when risks are unknown, it's hard to make rational decisions about what is "too risky" and I'm increasingly sad the longer this goes on that I feel like my kids are missing out on normal childhood things.  I will feel so much better once they have their shots in arms and can't wait for that day to come to be able to "loosen up" without having to think so hard all the time about these calculations.

This past weekend, we were invited to two kids' small birthday parties, where the parents (our friends who we know well) are vaccinated but the kids (under twelve) were not (not yet eligible). The events were outdoors. We weren't sure what the mask expectations were/are or should be for the unvaccinated munchkins. 

We took a deep breath, considering our risk budgets, but we said, "okay." 

The kids had a blast. On Saturday afternoon, we celebrated Connor turning seven at Mandy and Sam's place, where the kids played in the treehouse, the trampoline (they're brave!) and with water. 

Niall "the assasin." 

He LOVES shooting water and has been asking us for some water guns. I'm on the fence about having them at our place.

No one got injured on the trampoline.

Then on Sunday, Olivia turned six and we met at Samoa beach for some water and sand play. It was only in the high 50s but the kids still wanted to get into their suits and go in the water!

Pizza - a hit for lunch

Hiding

Paddle boarding was a fun activity!

Melissa with Olivia's older sister, Sophia

Kelvin took the kids for a spin in the little bay.

Kelvin almost got toppled off by a shake of the board from Sophia which was actually quite funny! 

The outdoors play with friends (some of whom they hadn't seen in more than a year) was very good for my kids.  I trust these families.  But I still worried every minute during if it was the *right* call to make because the kids were unvaccinated and unmasked.  After being so strict for more than a year, it felt like a lot of socializing (even too much) for me given our family's situation. It's a hard line to walk at the moment-- trying to "live life" and let kids be kids, but also trying so hard not to inconvenience or sicken any others and perpetuate a (now-preventable and terminable if all adults would just do the right thing and get a shot) pandemic. Sigh.