Social Distancing: Day 32

Two weeks ago we had spring break. It was so needed! After day 1 I was left wishing the government would just cancel school for the remainder of the year. Homeschool has been so time consuming and stressful. But having the kids free to do whatever we want was excellent! We did crafts, we played outside, we had picnic lunches in the back yard. It was just a nice break from having to constantly be on the computer doing busy work.

The best part of our break was a trip to visit my parents! We got to visit with them, sew stuffed birds, feed the deer, hike to a frozen waterfall, watch conference, eat a million snacks and generally just relax. It was nice to get to see them and get away from the house.

Last week was a tough transition back to homeschool. After a week of freedom the kids really didn't want to get back to a schedule! There was a lot of complaining and crying but by Wednesday we got it pretty much back on track. We started picking up grab and go lunches at the school across the street, and that has been a nice break every day. It's also been a financial blessing since Dave took a pay cut.

We also fixed up the kids bikes this weekend! They have been going over to the school across the street daily to practice their skills. Hopefully Logan and Dustin will both learn to ride without training wheels this summer. I deconstructed an extra bike we found in our yard a few years ago (nobody ever came back to claim it even when we posted it on neighborhood websites) and reconstructed it as a balance bike so hopefully that will help as well.

I decided to interview the kids about this whole situation so we have a record of their thoughts and feelings through all this. I think I'll also have the boys keep a journal as another way to keep track of their feelings.

Logan

The day I heard about the virus

Who told me about it: Mom
What were my first thoughts: Strange
How I felt: Alarmed
Other things I remember: They told me we were going to do school from home

What My life is like right now

What my schooling is like right now: Very hard. I'm doing it at home from a computer
The person who is helping me cope: Sometimes Dustin, sometimes Mom
Right now I miss: Going to school
What I am hopeful for: That the virus will end!
What I don't want to forget: The fun I had with my family
What has changed in my life: School the most

What is awesome right now?
1. Get to wear PJ's more
2. Picnic Lunches
3. Spend more time with my family

What are some worries right now?
1. That Corona virus will be here for the rest of the school year
2. That I don't get to see my friends

Goals I can work on in my home and yard?
1. Play outside more
2. Working harder on school

Dustin

The day I heard about the virus

Who told me about it: Mom
What were my first thoughts: maybe it won't be so bad
How I felt: just ok
Other things I remember: school was canceled that day for me even though Logan had to go

What My life is like right now

What my schooling is like right now: computer school with Mom
The person who is helping me cope: Logan snuggles with me
Right now I miss: seeing my friends and the park
What I am hopeful for: That the virus will go away soon
What I don't want to forget: I got to be with my family a lot
What has changed in my life: We can't leave our house anymore

What is awesome right now?
1. No Church!!!
2. Picnic lunches

What are some worries right now?
1. That this will never end

Goals I can work on in my home and yard?
1. Ride my bike
2. Jump on the trampoline every day
3. Playing outside more

Brooklyn

The day I heard about the virus

Who told me about it: Mom
What were my first thoughts: I'm sad there are sick people
Other things I remember: the boys stopped going to school

What My life is like right now

The person who is helping me cope: Jesus
Right now I miss: Spending alone time with mom
What has changed in my life: those boys keep not going to school! I wish they would go back

What is awesome right now?
1. I get to play with the boys all the time

What are some worries right now?
1. sometimes they lock me out of their room
2. earthquakes scare me

It's the End of the World as we Know it and I Feel Fine

Apparently I haven't blogged in about a year. It's been a busy year and I keep telling myself I'll catch up. But catching up is daunting, especially the longer you wait. There keeps being more and more I should post. So no catch up, I'm just going to move forward.

This week was tough. Extremely tough. The world is suffering from Corona Virus and this week Utah's number of cases has increased exponentially. Because of this everyone is freaking out and rushing the grocery stores trying to stockpile everything the need to survive months in isolation. Media says the hoarding is worse in Utah than most other places.

I suspect it's because many Utahans were either were or are Mormon so they know they should have a food storage. Either way it's been difficult to find what you need in stores. Last week Wednesday or Thursday I stocked up on milk, eggs and meat. I've decided I'm not going to the store for at least another 2 weeks, possibly longer. It's strange to not go to the store, school, library, friend's houses or even the park "HOW CAN THEY CLOSE THE PARK MOM?!?" but it's a way I can help not get and pass the sickness.

Home School started off really rough. The first day (two Fridays ago) Dustin took 4.5 hours to complete his lessons (supposed to take 2 hours) and Logan took 5 hours. Each needed me to walk them through each step so I was working on homework for 9 hours strait. I didn't eat lunch, didn't get dressed, didn't do anything other than school. The boys couldn't be in the same room because they could hear each other's computers and it bugged them. Dustin had to be on the desktop in the basement and Logan insisted on being upstairs. So I was running up and down stairs all day.

Over that weekend I had a chance to purchase headphones for each of the boys, and Monday I was able to pick up Chrome books from the kids school so each of them can do their own work on their own computer. This helped substantially. Along with this the kids have gotten into the groove and can run their lessons with  minimal help from me. Still not enough for me to take a shower (ask me how I know), but I can work on something else as long as I'm close by and available to answer questions.

Just when I felt we'd figured out Home school Wednesday hit with a boom. We were woken up by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. It was long, shook the whole house, and terrified the kids. Fortunately for us we were all ok, had minimal property damage (just a big crack in our cinder block wall lining our property), and didn't loose power. We spent the day snuggling, eating junk, and riding out the after shocks. We've continued to have aftershocks since (the biggest a 4.1 today), but we're getting used to it.

The kids have been extra ornery and clingy since. Especially Brooklyn. She told me two days ago "Mom, I so stressed out by all the earthquakes! I just so stressed out!" She has been carrying around her babies and animals too and tells me that "monkey is so scared Mom!" It breaks my heart but I'm glad she can express herself. I'm trying to be understanding and they are getting better given time.

I'm currently the Young Women's President for our ward. This has been challenging when we're not supposed to meet in person or visit. The weekend school shut down we got together as a presidency and put together 3 church from home packets to deliver to the Young Women. They contain something spiritual to do on Sunday and something fun to do on Wednesday. Each Sunday we drop one off at our girl's doors. I'm also working on starting up a Marco Polo group for each class so the girls can interact with each other. Hopefully this will help they have good spiritual conversations on Sunday and have some fun throughout the week. If I can get everyone on it.

The highlight of our home quarantine has been home church. We have a little devotional each Sunday and it's been great to be able to pray, discuss the scriptures and take the sacrament. The first Sunday I was repairing the bread and water for Dave to bless and couldn't figure out what to use for cups. I dug around looking for medicine cups or small Tupperware, and eventually found a stack of disposable shot glasses I bought for the boys a few years ago. Felt a little sacrilegious taking the sacrament out of shot glasses, but it's the best we have.

Last Sunday we discussed what a great blessing it is to have a Prophet giving us guidance and direction. We discussed how fortunate we are to have listened to his words and how we can see the blessings while we try to navigate these trying times. This week we discussed how Christ can help us through our struggles. My friend Brittney (a single mom whose family joins us for Sacrament Meeting) lead the discussion and the kids were able to think of examples of how their lives have been better for Christ's help.

As the kids ran off to play I shared a quote with Dave and Brittney from President Dallin H Oaks. He said this in a Missionary Meeting in Las Vegas on March 14th:

"This is not the end of the world but merely a test. A trial run for the 2nd Coming if you will - Physically and Spiritually. If you've been following the counsel from the Prophet about ministering, emergency preparedness, and at-home church, you have no need to fear. You passed the test."

It's brought me a lot of comfort as I reflected back on this today. I know this week has been hard. Never have I been so needed by my family. Never have I worked so hard and been so exhausted by the end of the day. But I know I'm doing what I need to do. And there is peace knowing there is food in the pantry. We know how to lead or family in church discussion. We can help take care of our friends and family with just a phone call or text.

This weekend I found out there is a shortage of medical masks for health care workers so I've spent my "spare time" sewing face masks for my friends in the medical field. I am trying to make two for each of my friends so they can wear one, take it off and throw it in the wash and still have another to wear the next day at work. They aren't hard to make, just take time. I have a plethora of material, although most of it is kids material. I figure if we take care of the medical workers now, they will be better equipped to take care of us later.

Over all we've been very blessed. I'm grateful we have a home and yard we can hunker down in. I'm grateful for my family, and all that we have. I'm grateful for a Prophet letting us know what God wants us to do to prepare. I'm especially comforted to know he is a Doctor and has that knowledge to help guide us through these times of medical uncertainty.

Easter & More Rain

This has been the rainiest spring in the whole world! Ever! Ok, maybe just the rainiest Taylorsville spring for the past 10 years. We play outside as much as we can but I'm a rain wimp. For the first year ever all the kids have rain coats so that's helped a little. The boys were given them and I bought one for Broonlyn since we'll be in rainy Oregon this summer. So they've been out dancing in the rain and jumping on the Trampoline in the rain (which still gets their bums wet).

Dave got this hammock for his birthday in February for camping. The kids love it and play in it all the time. I'm not sure why but they're convinced it works best when you are only in your underwear. I know where they are if I see a pile of clothes under the hammock.

We visited Grandma Linda & Papa Bill last week and Papa busted out his balloon making stuff and made swords, flowers, and crowns for the kids. They had a blast!  And were pretty sad when the balloons popped.

The Saturday before Easter was busy! We had a church egg hunt in the morning followed by a friend birthday party in the afternoon. Between that and trying to mow the lawn between rain storms, it was a wet, busy Saturday.

Easter Sunday we got baskets from the Easter bunny!!! Brooklyn was shocked and very happy such a little guy could bring so much candy. Dave decided next year we are going to ask the Easter bunny to bring no candy at all. Logan wasn't sure there was an Easter bunny but decided he must be real. We had our traditional funeral potatoes and ham for dinner with corn on the cob and apple pie for dessert. Brooklyn ate 3 ears of corn! The boys decided they would rather have banana cream pie next year.

The kids got a job this week! A neighbor asked we they could take their dog for a walk in the middle of the day while they're at work. They each get paid $1 per walk. They decided it's the best job ever!!!

For Activity Days this week we made a quilt top to donate to our Young Women's girls camp fund raiser auction! The girls were so proud of their sewing! I have until the 10th to pin it (tomorrow), quilt it, and bind it! Better get to work...

Dave and I got to go on a date to Avenger's Endgames this week. Dave got free tickets through a work event and Linda came to watch the kids. I was glad the movie didn't leave any cliff hangers this time you get all the closure you need! Dave loves the super hero movies so he was excited to see it.

Logan had his school fun run last Friday! He had a blast running with his friend Tyson. Logan got 6th place in his grade (he says there are 3 classes with 20ish kids each). He is so proud and got a blue ribbon!

Brooklyn has been doing a lot better with potty training and only had 1 accident all weekend! I put her back in diapers during night time last Monday and I think that shocked her into not being lazy. She has woken up dry ever since so last night I let her sleep in undies again.

Dustin has been a champ at his internet preschool this week! He can sound out words that are 5 letters long and can read a lot of smaller words. He's been fighting me on playing his game all year so it's nice to finally not have to battle with him 5 days a week.

Saturday we tore out all the grass in our front parking strips and are in the process of filling them with rocks. It will be more water efficient even with the desert plants Dave wants to add to make it look nicer. It was a TON of work and we are both still sore from all the work. Hopefully this will be our only big project this summer and hopefully we will be done after a few weekends.

April Showers Brings Painting & Flowers

It's finally spring!!! We had a ton of rain over the past few weeks. It's good but hard to keep the kids inside (it's warm so they want to be outside). Our flowers are finally blooming which means it's spring photo shoot time! The kids have been less than co-operative this year and every time I took pictures it's ended in tears. I'm afraid this is the best I'll be able to do this year.

Logan's looking at the camera but everyone's smiling! So this is probably the best picture. Last year I bought Easter clothes a size bigger then I hemmed up the boys pants. This year everyone still fits (now that the pants are un-hemmed). So I'll call this a win in the fancy clothing category.

This is a pretty decent picture too. So I have at least one to hang on the wall.

Here's Dustin's best shot! He hams it up in a lot of them, but this one turned out pretty sweet

And here's Logan's. He went down hill fast and ended up crying because pictures suck.

This little girl has given us a run for our money lately. She's so stinking cute but so stubborn! She wants what she wants and knows it!

An example? These are Brooklyn's first piggy tails. She refused to let me do her hair before this. Even as a baby she would immediately pull everything out of her hair.

And her hair is starting to be curly like Dustin's! When we bathe her if we do nothing to it she looks like this. But we usually brush it down after bath so she doesn't end up with wild hair the next morning. I think when it gets longer the curls will be subtle and cute. Or at least wavy.

One project that has been such a slow process is the fireplace. When we moved in we removed the wood paneling and painted. A few years ago Dave made a mantle for me. Now I've painted the gold a black which I like a lot better! 

The last thing I need to do in the house is paint the hallway/entryway/stairs. The woman that owned the house before us LOVED yellow. I hate yellow walls so we've been slowly painting everything. The hallway is the last yellow and I'm ready for a change. Although I don't know what color yet (maybe a grey, blue, or green shade). I've recently moved the kids bedroom laundry baskets to one big one in the hallway. I would prefer them have ones in their rooms but this one actually gets used so less cleaning up/nagging for me. 

Sadly Dave wants to replace the light in the hallway, patch up  and paint the ceiling before we tackle the walls. Which probably means we should replace the front entry light as well and redo the hallway wiring while we're at it. So it's going to be a little more work than me grabbing a can of paint at Lowe's.

We've decided to be scared of bugs lately. Brooklyn is now terrified of ants. It's pretty tough going outside when everything little and black makes her scream. Once she discovers it's not an ant she's fine but until then even a black fuzzy is pretty much the end of the world. Dustin read one of Logan's school library books on Spiders and has decided he is now terrified of spiders. The saddest thing is the book was supposed to help kids overcome fears of spiders. But Dustin didn't know there were poisonous spiders that could kill you until we read the book. Now he knows and is scared every spider is the poisonous kind. So one of our spring goals is to get over this. We've been collecting bugs in a bug box and observing them so maybe this will help.

Other than this I've been re-organizing all our photos. I took them all out and have gotten rid of quite a few (almost done sorting). Next I will put them all back in and print out the last year so we are up to date. The kids love looking at our pictures and it will be good to have this project done so they can enjoy them again.

In which we sleep, create things and use the potty

I'm starting with the fun parts of the last few weeks because it's far more entertaining to write about. 3 weeks ago I was asked to help plan activities for the 8-11 year old girls at church. My friend Lori is the other leader and we've had so much fun brainstorming 2 activities a month for the rest of the year. The big one I'm working on right now is an Easter Peg Doll scene for Easter. Dave helped me cut out and sand all the wooden caves and boulders so we are ready to paint peg dolls for the activity! We have all kinds of fun stuff planned and I'm excited to really get to know the girls better.

I also crocheted my first cable beanie! I just grabbed a ball of old acrylic yarn from my closet to learn on and made a million mistakes. But the end results are wearable and I learned a lot. I started a second one with a soft grey yarn that was my original plan for this pattern.

throughout sick I kept finding kids asleep all over the house

I was catching up with a neighbor yesterday and realized the last 4 weeks has just been exhausting! 4 weeks ago Logan got sick with either a really really bad cold or a really mild flu. For the next two weeks we all got sick and got over it. It was pretty rough and my appetite still hasn't fully recovered. And we all still have what Brooklyn calls a "lingering cough". I didn't even know she knew the word lingering until she kept telling me about her cough! She's such an intelligent 2 year old.

Dustin fell asleep at the table he was so sick!

But we have had fun along the way. the kids all made robot hats and wore them around for about 2 weeks. Their favorite part was on the back they tied plastic tubs that could be filled with toys. Because robots always have to have their toys handy.

The week before we all got sick I told Dustin I would sew him a Charmander hoodie. He has been begging for weeks.  So I had the pattern and the material all pulled out and ready to go. In the middle of me being sick he reminded me that I PROMISED I would make it. So one sick day was spent sewing this hoodie. It turned out well although I really wasn't loving sewing it at the time.

The week after sick was tax weekend. I have been dreading doing taxes because a few credits had changed and I was worried we would have to pay money. But we ended up getting money back! Which is great because now we have replenished our emergency fund from having to buy the van. I've been stressing about the low funds for 6 months because you never know when you'll need an emergency fund.

This past weekend was potty training weekend for Brooklyn! She's done really well. Friday we had tons of accidents and 1 success. Saturday we had 1 accident and lots of success. It was her first day telling us "I have to pee", running to the potty and actually going. Sunday I stopped reminding her we needed to go and she only had 1 accident and she even pooped in the potty!!! She was so proud that when we walked down the street to visit our neighbor Maurine she told her "I pooed in the potty". I sure our 70ish year old neighbor was very excited for Brooklyn (she received the news well anyway).