What do you do on the weekend when you're social distancing? You read a lot of books, you bake, and you make your kids spend as much time outdoors as possible.
The boys spent a lot of time on Saturday helping Jeff with piling and cutting wood. We're preparing for more snow this week. Plans are to keep the stove pumping.
Today, they spent most of the day riding bikes. These kids love riding their bikes. They spent hours and hours. There was even a crash between Isabella and Aiden, and still they kept riding.
I'm dealing with the stress by cleaning and baking. Thankfully, the kids eat most of it.
Tomorrow, we start our first full week of remote learning. Wish us luck!!
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
Quarantine Day #4: School is in
8:30 am: It's snowing. Really? *sigh*
9 am: My beautiful, color-coded schedule is already out the window. I did not plan for "beginning school day" activities like checking email and doing a morning message video.
9:45 am: Finally getting started.
10 am: They need a snack break.
10:20 am: The internet is not cooperating. Nobody can get online. Frustration level: 6.
10:30 am: The kids read noisily. I can understand that with Aiden, but the other two? Read in your head.
11 am: More work. I made blueberry muffins.
12:30 pm: They expect me to feed them. Again! Grilled Nutella sandwiches are Isabella's new favorite.
2:30 pm: We are done for today except for physical activity. I'm saving that for Jeff. At this point, the only physical activity I can handle is lifting a drink. I told the kids they are only allowed to whisper from now until 3 pm.
3 pm: Snack time. Isn't this like the 50th time today they've eaten?? Half the blueberry muffins are already gone.
4:45 pm: Kicked the kids outside. Couldn't wait for Jeff. Go burn off energy! No, I don't care it's snowy. No, I am not going out with you. I'm apparently torturing them.
6 pm: Finally, last meal of the day. I'm surprised we have food left.
6:45 pm: Tub time anarchy. What's wrong with being clean?
7:35 pm: Jeff has already fallen asleep twice. I am jealous.
9 pm: After much ado about nothing, the kids are finally asleep.
I'm exhausted. Stay healthy!
9 am: My beautiful, color-coded schedule is already out the window. I did not plan for "beginning school day" activities like checking email and doing a morning message video.
9:45 am: Finally getting started.
10 am: They need a snack break.
10:20 am: The internet is not cooperating. Nobody can get online. Frustration level: 6.
10:30 am: The kids read noisily. I can understand that with Aiden, but the other two? Read in your head.
11 am: More work. I made blueberry muffins.
12:30 pm: They expect me to feed them. Again! Grilled Nutella sandwiches are Isabella's new favorite.
2:30 pm: We are done for today except for physical activity. I'm saving that for Jeff. At this point, the only physical activity I can handle is lifting a drink. I told the kids they are only allowed to whisper from now until 3 pm.
3 pm: Snack time. Isn't this like the 50th time today they've eaten?? Half the blueberry muffins are already gone.
4:45 pm: Kicked the kids outside. Couldn't wait for Jeff. Go burn off energy! No, I don't care it's snowy. No, I am not going out with you. I'm apparently torturing them.
6 pm: Finally, last meal of the day. I'm surprised we have food left.
6:45 pm: Tub time anarchy. What's wrong with being clean?
7:35 pm: Jeff has already fallen asleep twice. I am jealous.
9 pm: After much ado about nothing, the kids are finally asleep.
I'm exhausted. Stay healthy!
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Quarantine Day #3 3/18/2020
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!
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!
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.
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