4th Week of June

106th day of Quarantine

The high today was a warm and pleasant 85F.

Emily and Grace and Juliet wanted to go out for more pool time.  It didn't take too long before they were all outside splashing around, and Billy came out and sat with me too!

Emily and I spent some time packing "souvenir packs" to stick in the mail for some of our friends, with the plentiful extras we had left on the prize table.

For dinner Billy picked up pizza from our local shop.

------------

105th day of Quarantine

The high today was a cloudy 83F.

Today, on what would have been the return trip from our Great Wolf Lodge trip, we instead had an adventure in the backyard: Not Wolf Lodge!

For dinner we had a combination of leftovers and snacks leftover from our backyard adventure.

--------

104th day of Quarantine

The high today was a cool 77F.

After Summer Schedule, William, Grace, Juliet and I went to pick up their new glasses!  It was a much shorter trip than we ordered them.

This week's art was sunpaper creation.  They were all so creative!  Alice (top left) made hers with scissors and cut paper, Emily (top right) made hers with fruit and vegetables, William (bottom left) use the newly 3D printed cat and dog, Grace (bottom middle) used a giant slinky, and Juliet (bottom right) used a small dictionary and two cards!

For dinner we had empanadas

---------

103rd Day of Quarantine

The high today was a measly 75F.  Billy tried to work out on the porch (in jeans) but eventually moved inside because it was just too cool.

We celebrated our second annual family Scooby Doo Day!  I didn't know exactly when it was, so I forgot to order the scooby snacks! = 0  Emily and I made it work though, by cutting the sandwiches and cheese like bats and dog bones. = )  We rewatched "Scoob."

Grace loves to try out new hairstyles, and she loves to show them off!

I was able to harvest enough from our porch and patio gardens for a mini Tomato/spinach salad! 

Billy set up his 3D printer, and printed the cat sample first.  Grace was quick to claim it.

Since it takes 3-4 hours, we left it running as we went to bed.

For dinner we had PB&J and other snacky foods, since we were watching Scoob pretty late in the day.

---------

102nd Day of Quarantine

The high today was 70F.  It was not that "hot" for most of the day.  I had to go put on pants and a hoody.

The twins are working hard in their reading binders.  I've started  them on what we will do next year, to get us all accustomed to the activity.  William is also cruising right along.  

Grace and Juliet seem to have 12 and 20 less solidified in their minds than the other numbers. So, today the big girls helped me make and hide 12s and 20s all over their room and they found them (then put them in the number order at the bottom.)  It was a fun activity, and we might repeat it tomorrow, but switch the number for which each one was searching.

For second recess, at 1:15, we walked our sewer bill down to the village office and went to the ice cream shop for some treats.  It was a chilly walk, but there was no wait.  The twins were excited to redeem their ice cream coupons from their kindergarten teacher. = )  Billy's milkshake was cold in my hands on the way home though!

I curled up under a blanket to read for most of the afternoon, since it was soooooo cold. 

For dinner we had gnocci pesto with sausage and spinach salad.  We probably will not have it again.

--------

101st Day of Quarantine

The high today was 87F.

My grocery appointment was earlier this morning (from 8-9, instead of my usual 9-10.)  I prefer it actually.

The kids (EWG) did get in the pool today, for a little while, and I cut Billy's hair a second time.  The salons are open by appointment only now, but since he's working from home, and doesn't care that much, he had me do it a second time.

I finished the first of the Cormoran Strike books by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling.)  I also started the second, because it is sweet summertime!

For dinner we had leftovers.

---------

Today is our 100th day of Quarantine

The high today was 84F.

I guess it's fitting that it's father's day and Haley's birthday, so we will be having some cake to celebrate all three. = )

Sarah was already out back chopping the fallen tree by the time I came down to turn my computer on for church.

After service, I helped bring some of the dead evergreen branches over to the firepit to expedite the burning of the green wood Sarah was attempting to burn.

At noon I ordered Charlie's for lunch, since that is what Billy requested.  I also ran into Carl's to pick up some 2 liters, so that I didn't have to carry 7 drinks back to the car from Charlie's.

Billy spent the afternoon assembling his 3D printer.  He enjoyed the surveys that the kids filled out.  Next year I will have them fill them out at separate times, so their answers are more unique.

The kids were back in the pool this afternoon, but it was cut short by passing thunder.  I think it might have rained a bit, but we didn't see much of a storm.  It did cool things off significantly though. 

For dinner we had noodles and sausage, followed by the Father's Day-Birthday-Quarantine cake.

later days

Not Wolf Lodge

At the beginning of this year, we excitedly booked our very first trip to Great Wolf Lodge for the end of June.  We were due to meet up with the Rosenthals and spend two nights in the famed Traverse City.

I roped Sarah into helping, and when I woke up and sent her a message at 5:45, she was already awake and came over to help me set up.  It was a good thing too, I would not have gotten nearly as much done.  She fought the newest pool and the claw machine while I worked on other things.

Prize table!  The kids earned candies through games and the claw machine, and were able to trade them in for some of the 'premium candies' or other prizes.  Not pictured are the fun animal faces.  Alice was the only one who picked those, possibly because they were hung too high.

Snacks were "included" in their visit.  This was taken before I got out the chilled applesauce and drinks. 

I ended up moving the coloring station closer, but they all had a chance to customize their "Not Wolf Lodge" brand shirts.  This was my first time using the iron on vinyl and I was pleased by how well it turned out!  I'd actually bought the vinyl and markers to make "family" shirts for our trip, but these were a fun addition to the day.

The bubble gloves were pretty cool! They made lots of bubbles, but the bubble solution was a popular attraction for bugs to die.

Hands down the favorite game: a mini claw machine!  Sarah put in a variety of candies and sticky hands and the tiny stuffies, but the slick plastic was too difficult to manage.  She finally decided that the tiny stuffies alone were the way to go, after many trials.  The kids were able to trade the stuffie for 5 candies at the prize station. 

Sarah also set up all the games!  The cans were a favorite.  There were values under each can, so the kids had to do some math if they didn't knock them all down.  Sarah placed a brick in the bottom of the box to keep it from falling over when hit.  Also, if they hit the box with the bean bag, the shot did not count.  The person claiming candy was the one required to reset the game.

She also made a 'skee ball'-esque toss game.  And ball toss game.

William and Aunt Rocky made a game with the plentiful ball stash.

All set up and ready to go!

I was surprised when the kids went to the water first, but I think it was a psycology thing.  Since I had them get in their swimsuits, and sprayed them down with sunscreen, they were prepared to swim.  That water was cold though, so it didn't take long before they were over at the games.

Alice scored a prize on her first try!

I think it is safe to say that the twins enjoyed this game the most.

Aunt Rocky and William made waves and tossed balls while the girls tried to hang on to the dino!

Emily was saving up for the foam set.

I think they were enjoying some of their prize table candy.

Bubbles!

I feel like it must have been at least better than average, because Alice stayed outside for hours with us, not lamenting her lack of computer!!

Once everyone except for Emily and William had worn out and headed inside, some dark clouds started to roll in.  I began to break everything down ad put away things that would ruin in the rain first.  Billy came out and helped move things inside, so that I could sort through them.

My hope, is that one day, far in the future, that they won't remember that we cancelled our trip, but rather remember that they had a great day out in the backyard at "Not Wolf Lodge."

later days

Bonus:  Some pictures the kids took with the waterproof camera I purchased for Great Wolf Lodge.

3rd Week of June

99th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today was 90F.

For lunch I ordered in some Chinese food from our favorite local place.  

I sat down to read and Emily came up to me and said "You could read outside" as her way of asking me to come watch them go swimming. = ) Emily was first, then William came shortly after her, then Grace and lastly Juliet.  We were out there for about 4 hours!  I let them swim as long as they could take. 

For dinner we had quesadillas, because it was fast and easy, and unsurprisingly, they were all hungry. = )

---------

98th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today was 87F.

Sarah came over and mowed the lawn, and bought me mulch from Lowe's (in two trips, because it was only $2 a bag!  This is $3 less than what I payed last year!)

After reading lessons with Grace, Juliet and William, I went out to spread the mulch. 25 bags and a couple of hours, but it looks so much better!

We have a tiny rose growing!  I don't know where it came from, because I didn't plant it. It sure is pretty though!

We found a tiny frog hanging out behind the hose!

We used our field guide to identify it as a Gray Treefrog.

I added air to the pool and we filled it up with cold water.  Tomorrow is supposed to be 90, so the water should warm up overnight.

For dinner we had Bueno Nachos.

We ended our day with a Kim Possible mini-marathon.

Billy got word that his dad had a heart attack today.  Thankfully he is stable, but too far away to visit.

-----------

97th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today was 86F.

During outdoor recess, I set up a "book fair!" for my crew.  They were excited and read really well after choosing their books.

I trimmed some of the low branches in the back yard, and the twins helped add them to the fire pit. Billy spent some time trying to cut up the fallen tree.  It is still pretty green, so he had to work on just the smaller top branches.

I sat out with the fire for several hours to watch the fire and read my book.

For dinner we had alfredo tortellini.

---------

96th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today was 84F.  I sat outside for a while with Billy, but once the direct sunlight moved, it was still chilly for me out on the porch, to just sit. = (

Emily made some "food art" today for her creation.  

Flower:

Palm Tree:

Rain on an umbrella:

For dinner tonight Billy made a Gordon Ramsey meatball entrée recipe.  It was quite tasty!  Well, I thought so, and he thought so, but the kids were kind of indifferent.

---------

95th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today is 81F.

The children were slow moving this morning, so William, Grace and Juliet were not allowed on their computers when I left.  Sadly, Billy was in charge of enforcing that, so I have no idea how long they were on it.  Next time I will have to take the mice and tablets with me.

Emily's dental appointment was at 10, which is kind of an inconvenient time for our schedule since we have to leave about an hour before, and it takes the same to get home.  She was inside a long time, since they were running behind (kind of annoying.)

We dropped off a book for Alyssa's little ones for this fall (I scored an extra copy) and picked up an extra copy of a book she had, as well as some morning time menu holders.

Since it was lunchtime were went through the chick-fil-a drive through (again) and by the bank.  Once we were back on our side of town we stopped at the McDonald's drive thru to grab lunch for everyone else.

The end of year reports from the school arrived.  A few parents of their peers have posted class rosters, making the fall feel more real, and making me feel a pang of longing.  Getting comfortable with parts of our fall curriculum during the summer schedule is, admittedly, making me feel better about the fall.

For dinner we had barbeque sandwiches and Doritos.  William cleaned his plate, the girls whinged and refused to eat more than a few bites.

I bought my first (digital) music album in years, Radio Company: Vol 1, I supplemented with a few songs from Jerimiah Richey's Northridge and Take Your Chances.  It felt like a nice time for some new music, as we approach 100 days in quarantine.

--------

94th Day of Quarantine

The high today was a cool 74F.  I would have spent the afternoon reading on the porch, but it was just too chilly, even in the sunshine.

We completed our first day of summer schedule.  I reiterate what they are to do each night before bed so they are well prepared for the morning.  Since it is week one, we are still ironing out the kinks, but so far, it's been going well.

I finished Leon's piano books carrying case.  The zipper was tricky to put in, and I don't love the finished product.  This is particularly sad since I paid retail prices for the fabric and zipper.  But, it is finished, and I hope he enjoys it when I send it down for this Birthday in December. = )

I started and finished Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeny. It was suspenseful enough I didn't want to try to sleep in the middle of it.

For dinner we had Banquet fried chicken and rehydrated mashed potatoes.  It was okay.

--------

93rd Day of Quarantine

The high today was a warmish 70F, with a very cool start to the day.  

After online church, I spent the meat of the day finishing The Bone Clocks: A Novel.  The ending was satisfactory.  I now feel a strong sense of ennui, just like every other time I finish reading a good story.

For lunch I heated up leftovers.

For dinner we had some ribeyes that Billy cooked up on the grill.  Sarah picked them up down at Rives' Junction last week.  They were mighty tasty!  We'll have steak fajitas or Bueno Nachos later this week.

--------

later days