This pandemic.... ugh, it's ticking me off. Everything we want to do is cancelled. Even camping! Camping is, by nature, socially distancing. But, they won't open the bathrooms. Makes no sense, since the bathrooms are open everywhere else, like Costco! How is camping any worse. Anyway, you can tell our annual Memorial Day camping trip got cancelled and we're not happy.
I'm mad that Emily missed her winter guard season. I'm mad Ben doesn't have a graduation. They are doing a drive through parade thing next week, that I can't go to because I have to work, but it's not the same. Emily was going to go to Prom with friends. It all sucks.
But, in the midst of all that, we've seen some great things happen. David and I are still working, so we aren't noticing much of a difference, but the kids are feeling it. We've been going on daily walks/bike rides with friends. We just spread out a bit and walk. It works. Our town has had a very low number of Covid cases, which is great.
We've also done things like face masks. The boys were thrilled.
I've learned that I have to wash and put out healthy snacks for these kids. We were going through a bag of chips a day!
And this is the new norm at work and everywhere really. I hate wearing these masks, but it is what it is.
Puzzles have become my new hobby. I just like to keep my mind busy when get a few moments to sit. Luckily, my friends and I have all exchanged puzzles and it's been fun.
And something amazing happened.... about week 3 of quarantine, Emily started to emerge. The sadness and disappointment was gone and she started playing with her brothers and engaging more with us. She's always so busy, that when she gets downtime after homework, she'd just sit in her room on her phone. If there is a blessing to all of this, my kids have gotten closer.
We even did a few themed dinners. BBQ with patriot music and dressed up as 4th of July. The next day was country with ribs and Johnny Cash playing. It was fun. It breaks the monotony of it all.
The kids all go outside and play on the trampoline.
I think Emily was trying to teach Ben how to do a front handspring. At least we didn't end up in the hospital.
Easter was different. No big family gathering. Just the family. David brought some dinner over to his parents. But, it was still nice. We watched church online. Again, everything is different.
The kids outside just laughing and having fun on the trampoline. David and I love listening to them when they are all laughing and just being kids.
And more puzzles! I'm not kidding, I think I've done at least 10 in a few months.
My bosses Mom made us pizza masks! It's the new fashion accessory.
And another puzzle....
David has been teaching Ben to mow the yard. We are so blessed that through all this we've had amazing weather. It's so nice to be outside this time of year.
The kids have taken out the Wii and are playing video games together on their phones. Really, they've played more with each other in the past 6 weeks than they have in the past 6 years. Emily is helping with cooking and learning stuff in the kitchen. It's been lovely. Emily also face times with her friend Ava until super late. I should care that she is on the phone until 3AM, but I don't. Whatever. She's in her room giggling with her friend and they are building Minecraft empires. Have at it!
They are all getting their school work done. But, the schools have basically left the last quarter optional. Whatever your grade was at Spring Break will be your grade for 4th quarter. If you do work, you can improve your grade. We are not making it optional for our kids, but in Ben's case, how do you improve a 100%? I think he had 100% in 5 out of 7 classes. The other two can improve some. In any case, they are still doing school work every day.
And, we finally cut our land line! I've been meaning to do this for awhile. We all have cell phones now and we rarely us it. Why spend $40 a month on a couple of phone calls. So, we cut it! But, I had to make a recording of the outgoing message. We taped this back in 2008 I think. Emily was 3and Ben was 2. I say the beginning. Then, Emily talks. Then, Ben says, "have a nice day". Some people thought it was all Emily. Ben's voice certainly doesn't sound like a girl anymore!
We've spent the last few weekends hiking with friends. It's lovely and it's nice that we finally are making time to do this type of stuff. I'll post those pics next.
All in all, we are getting by in these crazy times. I'm sad to be crossing out all the stuff on the calendar. Ben's play was this week and Emily's recital and Noah's music concert. Gone, gone, gone. We've officially scraped our summer trip to Idaho and Canada this year. We just don't want to get a plane and then go spend time with my Dad and Suzy or Uncle Terry and Aunt Paula. Who knows what germs we could be exposing them to and this won't be gone in 6 weeks. It sucks, but it is what it is. That's my motto at this time.
