8:30 am: The children fed themselves breakfast this morning. Yogurt, cereal, snack mix, and four granola bars. Food supplies are dwindling.
9 am: Log into the kids' Google classrooms, where they were be working and learning for the next few weeks. Pretty simple. Nothing new from when we had Snow Bag Day 1. Relief is evident on all of our faces.
9:59 am: Email Isabella's teacher with the first question about her work.
10 am: The children are hungry again.
11:16 am: I email Aiden's teacher with the first of my questions about all of the stuff he has brought home. That poor woman.
11:24 am: First question answered, I send her my second question.
11:33 am: She tells me to look in a box he brought home and I find the previously missing item. Bless this woman for putting up with scatterbrained parents.
12:05 pm: Email Isabella's teacher with another question. Teachers do not get paid enough.
12:30 pm: Having bugged the teachers enough for one day, the children inform me they are hungry. Again.
1 pm: Made the children color pictures for an elderly member of our church who was in the hospital. The children inform me that I am a nice person.
3 pm: The children want to eat AGAIN. Seriously, I've fed you three times already today. We only have so much food.
4:30 pm: Daddy arrives home. The boys attack him and then run off, greetings done.
5:30 pm: Two of the children eat. The little one can't decide what he wants.
6-7 pm: I make a schedule for the children's learning. Quite pleased with it, if I do say so myself.
7 pm: The youngest finally decided he will lower himself to eat some oatmeal.
8 pm: The children are finally asleep, after much ado about brushing teeth and having to sleep in their own beds in their own rooms. They totally save the drama for their momma.
9:20 pm: This momma is about to go to bed, even though she won't fall asleep for another two hours.
Stay healthy, my loves!
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Monday, March 16, 2020
Quarantine Day #1 3/16/2020
8 am: The kids let me sleep in uninterrupted. Good start to the quarantine.
9 am: After finally eating breakfast, they are entertaining themselves with electronic time.
10:30 am: The kids have wandered up from the basement to seek further nourishment. The 9 year old was upset he could not have 4 granola bars.
12:30 pm: Lunchtime. Used cookie cutters on each sandwich. Warned the kids not to expect this every day.
1 pm: Sent the boys outside for fresh air and exercise. The need to burn off energy is REAL. The girl has sequestered herself back downstairs.
1:40 pm: Outside is overrated. The boys are doing a St. Patrick's day craft. I should have stocked up on earplugs.
2:40 pm: The 9 year old wants to be an only child. Sorry, kid, we're social distancing from the outside world, not each other.
3:25 pm: Bear has decided the kids being home all day is annoying. She has barked at nothing and wanted in/out 10,000 times.
3:55 pm: Daddy returns home from work. The kids ignore him.
4:45 pm: The boys are tired of each other but refuse to stay apart.
5 pm: Mommy realizes she forgot to get wine.
8:05 pm: Kids have been fed and cleansed. Based on the amount of food consumption by the boys today, we might not have enough food. Hopefully they fall asleep soon.
9:30 pm: After threatening to hide electronics, the children are finally asleep. I should have thought of that an hour ago. The quarantine has me off my game.
Stay tuned...
9 am: After finally eating breakfast, they are entertaining themselves with electronic time.
10:30 am: The kids have wandered up from the basement to seek further nourishment. The 9 year old was upset he could not have 4 granola bars.
12:30 pm: Lunchtime. Used cookie cutters on each sandwich. Warned the kids not to expect this every day.
1 pm: Sent the boys outside for fresh air and exercise. The need to burn off energy is REAL. The girl has sequestered herself back downstairs.
1:40 pm: Outside is overrated. The boys are doing a St. Patrick's day craft. I should have stocked up on earplugs.
2:40 pm: The 9 year old wants to be an only child. Sorry, kid, we're social distancing from the outside world, not each other.
3:25 pm: Bear has decided the kids being home all day is annoying. She has barked at nothing and wanted in/out 10,000 times.
3:55 pm: Daddy returns home from work. The kids ignore him.
4:45 pm: The boys are tired of each other but refuse to stay apart.
5 pm: Mommy realizes she forgot to get wine.
8:05 pm: Kids have been fed and cleansed. Based on the amount of food consumption by the boys today, we might not have enough food. Hopefully they fall asleep soon.
9:30 pm: After threatening to hide electronics, the children are finally asleep. I should have thought of that an hour ago. The quarantine has me off my game.
Stay tuned...
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Social Distancing - No School Starting Tomorrow
The govenor of NH has declared that all schools in NH are to be closed for the next few weeks. My kids have mixed feelings about it: we've talked some about covid 19 and they have an understanding appropriate for their ages, but they are going to miss their friends. They don't understand why we can't have a bunch of playdates or go to a movie or out to lunch. We're going to be discussing it again and again in the next weeks.
But here's what we can do. We can read books. We can do crafts and color pictures. We can bake. We can play catch outside and practice soccer goals. We can take walks and check out the wildlife. We can watch movies. Heck, we can even have some electronic time. We can have family time.
Is it going to be all sunshine and roses? If you've met my kids, you know the answer to that. 😉 But it doesn't have to be all bad. It's going to be whatever we make of it. They're will be tears (mostly mine), laughter (hopefully a ton of giggles), yelling (because there's 3 of them), and memories made.
Stay strong, village. I love you all.
But here's what we can do. We can read books. We can do crafts and color pictures. We can bake. We can play catch outside and practice soccer goals. We can take walks and check out the wildlife. We can watch movies. Heck, we can even have some electronic time. We can have family time.
Is it going to be all sunshine and roses? If you've met my kids, you know the answer to that. 😉 But it doesn't have to be all bad. It's going to be whatever we make of it. They're will be tears (mostly mine), laughter (hopefully a ton of giggles), yelling (because there's 3 of them), and memories made.
Stay strong, village. I love you all.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
2019 Reflections
It's been quite the year. Ups and downs. A lot of learning. I've learned to let go of the relationships that are doing me more harm than good. I've been lucky enough, and am so grateful, for the new relationships I have fostered this year. Sometimes I am prickly and not very loveable; but I have people in my life who brave the pricks and love me even when I don't deserve it. Those are the people I will be bringing into 2020 with me.
My kids have grown so much this year, and faced different challenges that we continue to face head on. They are amazing, incredible human beings, and I can only take partial credit. 😉
I don't know what 2020 will bring. But I hope it's full of friends, family, happiness.
My kids have grown so much this year, and faced different challenges that we continue to face head on. They are amazing, incredible human beings, and I can only take partial credit. 😉
I don't know what 2020 will bring. But I hope it's full of friends, family, happiness.
Monday, December 9, 2019
30 Days of Thankfulness
1. Having a generator for when we lose power.
2. Aiden helping with the outside chores, getting ready for winter. He moves wood like the little engine that could.
3. Having food on the table and in my babies' bellies.
4. My kids laughing with friends. The sound of their laughter makes my heart happy.
5. Snuggling with my kids.
6. Cub Scouts. The boys have learned so much and enjoy it so much.
7. Kate, Sarah, Melissa, and Rachael. I am blessed beyond belief to have you ladies in my life.
8. Reading with the kids. I will read out loud to them as long as they let me.
9. Aiden having a playdate with his bff.
10. Having the time to read to myself.
11. Lunch with an old friend.
12. Capstone. It's teaching Isabella to be more independent.
13. Heating pad on a cold bed.
14. Isabella letting me play with her hair. These time are few and far between.
15. School dance. The kids had a blast!
16. GOTR 5K. GOTR has been amazing for Isabella. And she did an amazing job!
17. Bowling with friends.
18. Riley. Silly, sensitive, sensational Riley.
19. Aiden being loved by friends. Having friends who understand him.
20. Lunch with Aunt D.
21. Sliding off the road could have been so much worse. And thankful for the two men who stopped to help me. And for Jeff coming home to check on me and get the car out of the side of the road.
22. Thanksgiving Feast at the kids' school. This is one of my favorite traditions.
23. Blankets.
24. Being done Christmas shopping so I can enjoy the holidays.
25. A short school week.
26. Christmas movies.
27. Happy family.
28. My pets.
29. Isabella knowing "the truth about Santa" and being my helper this year.
30. Last, but certainly not least, Hannah. I am so thankful to have my sister from another mister, my partner in crime, my other half.
2. Aiden helping with the outside chores, getting ready for winter. He moves wood like the little engine that could.
3. Having food on the table and in my babies' bellies.
4. My kids laughing with friends. The sound of their laughter makes my heart happy.
5. Snuggling with my kids.
6. Cub Scouts. The boys have learned so much and enjoy it so much.
7. Kate, Sarah, Melissa, and Rachael. I am blessed beyond belief to have you ladies in my life.
8. Reading with the kids. I will read out loud to them as long as they let me.
9. Aiden having a playdate with his bff.
10. Having the time to read to myself.
11. Lunch with an old friend.
12. Capstone. It's teaching Isabella to be more independent.
13. Heating pad on a cold bed.
14. Isabella letting me play with her hair. These time are few and far between.
15. School dance. The kids had a blast!
16. GOTR 5K. GOTR has been amazing for Isabella. And she did an amazing job!
17. Bowling with friends.
18. Riley. Silly, sensitive, sensational Riley.
19. Aiden being loved by friends. Having friends who understand him.
20. Lunch with Aunt D.
21. Sliding off the road could have been so much worse. And thankful for the two men who stopped to help me. And for Jeff coming home to check on me and get the car out of the side of the road.
22. Thanksgiving Feast at the kids' school. This is one of my favorite traditions.
23. Blankets.
24. Being done Christmas shopping so I can enjoy the holidays.
25. A short school week.
26. Christmas movies.
27. Happy family.
28. My pets.
29. Isabella knowing "the truth about Santa" and being my helper this year.
30. Last, but certainly not least, Hannah. I am so thankful to have my sister from another mister, my partner in crime, my other half.
Monday, September 23, 2019
Wait Until Life Slows Down
The other day a friend posted a meme about waiting for life to slow down. Does that happen? Is there a magical time when life slows down? I don't want to fast forward until that time and miss out on any moments, but I DO wish life would slow down occasionally. Sometimes a girl needs a rest.
Life with three kids and a husband with a non-nine-to-five job is often...interesting.
Mondays, we have Aiden's Cub Scouts. Jeff has recently volunteered to be the den leader for our youngest's Tiger den. Right now, there are only three boys in his den, but there might be more coming. We have these meetings at our house (with the exceptional of the occasionally off-sight meeting). While Jeff is entertaining and teaching these three young minds, the other two have to be entertained. Or at least kept out of the way. This is easier with the 10 year old than with the 8 year old.
Tuesdays and Thursdays we have Girls on the Run for Isabella and soccer for Riley. Girls on the Run is amazing for Isabella's physical and mental health. She practices for a 5K in November and learns about self esteem, self worth, being a good friend, a good person, etc. Soccer has been wonderful for Riley. It takes all of that after-school energy he has after keeping it together all day at school and transfers it to kicking balls into a net.
Wednesdays we have Riley's Cub Scouts (and, once a month, the whole pack meeting). Jeff takes him to a town nearby for that while the other two and I stay home and work on homework or whatever we need to do. Except for the Wednesday once a month when I also have PTO. 😏
You'd think weekends would be free, but that is when everything else happens. Family time, movie night, yardwork, getting ready for the snow, church, playdates.
The thing is, though, that even though it is so very very stressful, I wouldn't change it. Watching Aiden and his friends listen intently to Jeff while he explains to them about teamwork. Watching Riley play goalie or running down the field with the ball. Listening to Isabella tell me she got the Energy Award during practice. Listening to Riley tell me what he learned at Scouts. Being a part of my kids' school activities. Knowing they understood what they learned in Sunday school and apply it to another part of their lives. All of these are what rounds out life. This is the the best part of life.
But I still want a nap.
Life with three kids and a husband with a non-nine-to-five job is often...interesting.
Mondays, we have Aiden's Cub Scouts. Jeff has recently volunteered to be the den leader for our youngest's Tiger den. Right now, there are only three boys in his den, but there might be more coming. We have these meetings at our house (with the exceptional of the occasionally off-sight meeting). While Jeff is entertaining and teaching these three young minds, the other two have to be entertained. Or at least kept out of the way. This is easier with the 10 year old than with the 8 year old.
Tuesdays and Thursdays we have Girls on the Run for Isabella and soccer for Riley. Girls on the Run is amazing for Isabella's physical and mental health. She practices for a 5K in November and learns about self esteem, self worth, being a good friend, a good person, etc. Soccer has been wonderful for Riley. It takes all of that after-school energy he has after keeping it together all day at school and transfers it to kicking balls into a net.
Wednesdays we have Riley's Cub Scouts (and, once a month, the whole pack meeting). Jeff takes him to a town nearby for that while the other two and I stay home and work on homework or whatever we need to do. Except for the Wednesday once a month when I also have PTO. 😏
You'd think weekends would be free, but that is when everything else happens. Family time, movie night, yardwork, getting ready for the snow, church, playdates.
The thing is, though, that even though it is so very very stressful, I wouldn't change it. Watching Aiden and his friends listen intently to Jeff while he explains to them about teamwork. Watching Riley play goalie or running down the field with the ball. Listening to Isabella tell me she got the Energy Award during practice. Listening to Riley tell me what he learned at Scouts. Being a part of my kids' school activities. Knowing they understood what they learned in Sunday school and apply it to another part of their lives. All of these are what rounds out life. This is the the best part of life.
But I still want a nap.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
It Takes a Village
My village is small but mighty. It includes my kids' best friends' parents. It includes my bff that lives across the country. It includes PTO moms and Cub Scout moms and classmates' moms.
We watch each other's kids on short notice and on snow days. We give each other rides if needed. We vent and brag. We have S'mores and movie nights and wine. We make sure each other's kid isn't crying when he/she gets off the bus. We give each other preteen and middle school advice.
We check on each other. We make each other brownies and share books. We buy from each other's kids' fundraisers and make our own Scout den.
We parent each other's kids as if they were our own. They get hugs and "you know better" looks. They are loved by many.
Life is more fulfilling with a Village. Who's in yours?
We watch each other's kids on short notice and on snow days. We give each other rides if needed. We vent and brag. We have S'mores and movie nights and wine. We make sure each other's kid isn't crying when he/she gets off the bus. We give each other preteen and middle school advice.
We check on each other. We make each other brownies and share books. We buy from each other's kids' fundraisers and make our own Scout den.
We parent each other's kids as if they were our own. They get hugs and "you know better" looks. They are loved by many.
Life is more fulfilling with a Village. Who's in yours?
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