3.26.20 and 3.27.20

I'm sure everyone who has a spring break planned is playing the same head game right now.

Well, I'd be at the airport right now. 

I'd probably be on the beach by now.

Whether it was a fantastic trip or just the loss of some normalcy, I think we're all definitely mourning something. It feels a bit like being in limbo. 

As we enter this new week, I'm watching the sunrise right now and sending prayers. Prayers to families with multiple children and trying to navigate it all. Prayers to families with one child- trying to distract from the loneliness. Prayers to those trying to keep their business afloat, find a job, or being asked to  adapt their job into something they were never hired to do. 

Let's keep holding each up. 

Happy Monday, village.  

Auggie wanted to play teacher- love it!

More family recipes - Banana Bread!

The domino factory continues...

CATCH!

Ummmm....?

His latest idea of fun- driving through the lawn with roller blades on his hands. 

Ran into some familiar girls on our nature walk!

Caterpillar!

Almost got them all!

3.24.20 and 3.25.20

We've been at it long enough that the plans need to be revised, added to, crossed off...

One thing I've noticed is that it seems that the kids are getting more patient. I think it's because of the pace. They are able to  sit down and focus on 

one task, 

one game, 

one job, 

without pressure to be somewhere or do something else. 

Still counting those small lessons. 

Trying to keep the gymnastics skills up!

Best purchase ever = set of 1,000 Dominos!

Getting fancy already!

Even working together!

These girls face-painted for over an hour!

Final products!

A huge family favorite and tradition!

This handyman can take the screws on and off his door!

Playing a childhood favorite game of my sister and I...Fantasy Forest!

3.23.20

Did anyone else feel the full Mondayness of this past Monday?

Walking around the neighborhood today, I got a general sense of frustration out there. The newness of "homeschool" has worn off and parents are hitting the wall trying to work and parent from home. 

This makes me register a frightening realization. I can set the mood for the entire house. If mom is crabby and frustrated, that mood ripples down to the youngest. 

So I will "fake it 'til I make it." 
I will giggle and shout "GOOD MORNING!" to my kids as they come down the stairs. 
I will download fart apps on my phone to appease the four-year-old funny bone. 

Air fist bumps, everyone. 

No...boredom hasn't set in at all. Why do you ask?

SO proud of these girls, taking charge of their own learning and revising our schedule!

Easter eggs!

Facetiming with Cousin Wally = THE BEST "Hi Auggie!"

How I love having time to cook! This one is a game-changer.

Backyard volleyball

At Sweeney- "Mama take my picture next to Big Ben"

No Coronavirus getting past here!

"Comfy" Twins

Is there a contest I can enter somewhere for cleanest fridge??

3.20.20

Here's the bottom line

In this current situation...you do you. 

If you are tired of the "home school" pressure, and want to gather up your babies and watch movies, and teach them how to make cookies and knit. I love it...please do it!

We have enough pressure and anxiety over all this- let's not add to it for each other. 

For me, having a schedule means safety. It means a lifeline. I need a structure for me and my kids on workdays so the panic doesn't seep into the edges. 

I'm a teacher, so I'm excited about the challenge of trying "school as it should be" with nature walks, lessons on how to make yeast bread rise, and fraction review. 

But that's me.  My #1 objective is keeping my kids happy and anxiety free. 
Let's continue to use social media to support each other wherever we are at!!!

Pics from Friday: (So glad to see the sun!)

Looking down on my boys cutting and gluing as the morning sun
sparkled through the sliding glass door.  

These girls are dedicated to keeping up with gymnastics conditioning. 

IPad delivery to two of my students- man I miss those faces already!

Scott has started the young jedi in his training. 
Charly and I will stick to Harry Potter, thank you. 

Friday night guac party here

Not having to wear a uniform in the upcoming future means hair experiments 

3.19.20

I've had a few deep conversations with friends and neighbors about God's role in this. 

What if, perhaps, this is our modern day Noah's Ark.
Ok, not the death part.  

But what if this is God's way of suggesting we all slow down. We let the crazy schedule rest for a moment and reconnect.
With our spouses
With our children
With our careers

The friends who we find ourselves missing.

I love being able to send a text at the moment I think of someone, rather than intending to do it, but not having the time.

But man, rainy, cold days are hard- aren't they?!

Tracing those triangles like a boss.

"Quiet time"

The cutest text from my parents; "We're making cinnamon rolls!"

Catholics all over the world gathered at 3 pm (9:00 at the Vatican) to pray the rosary.

Brave girl-running in the rain

Driving cars- rain or shine

Wet winter gear, but still smiling.

Funniest moment of the day; Auggie attached Charly's volleyball practice strap to his waist and ran circles around the house giggling. "It's my puppy that's chasing me!"

Best way to end a rainy day

3.18.20

We've heard about the CoronaVirus for weeks. I've spent so much time reassuring my daughter that it wouldn't be an issue, only to be homeschooling from quarantine a very brief time later.

I keep saying there are so many gifts that are coming about. 

The countertops have never been cleaner. 

I get to be super involved in what my kids are learning and how they learn.

My husband and I get to coparent -no longer "passing ships in the night" shuttling kids from activities and surviving our work days.  

The pace of life has slowed.  Today I took deep breaths and really noticed little landmarks on the walking path around our neighborhood, usually flying by trying to squeeze in a run between obligations and activities.   

Without other options, kids are more willing to sit down and play a board game, or write a letter to grandma, who is no doubt very lonely through all this.

I encouraged my 11-year-old to start a journal. I've never been through anything like this in my lifetime, nor have MY parents. I told her someday she'll look back on this and wonder- what was that like?

So I started taking pictures. 
Little blessings I want to remember. 

And here we go. 

Hard at work

Looks cute, doesn't he? He melted down about 28 seconds later. Cut the "wrong thing".
Lost his mind. 

"Creative Time" was outside today!

"Don't take my picture"

Can we climb this tree? Yes. Yes you can. 

Auggie doesn't walk. He rides.

"Chair Rock"

Pretty happy for kids who didn't want to go on a "nature walk"

That's right. I taught Science. Even looked up 4th and 5th grade standards. 

My favorite pic of the day. Saw this activity on a STEM site. 

Digging in the sand and gravel under the neighbor's trampoline. Happy.

But the giggles were the best. 

"Social Distancing Happy Hour"
(Not pictured- Angie. We still sat on her front steps, though)