April 23rd, 41st Day of Quarantine, 22nd Day of School at Home

The expected high is 49F today.  It was really cold, and rained, and we never saw the sun.  Have I mentioned that I'm done with the cold? No, oh, well I am.  Totally done.

I used almost all of the browning bananas in chocolate chip banana nut bread this morning, and the loaf was gone by lunch!

Billy got an email this morning that his company is furloughing some people, including engineering. This would be an 8 week furlough, which is a long time. So that was a lovely stress that I could have done without.

William started itching his head again, so more lice treatment and more laundry.  We're past the two week mark, and all the stuffed animals are still in the basement.  I've sprayed everything, so I'm hoping that it was just an itchy head, since I didn't find anything with the comb.  Also stress I could have done without.

An email came later that Billy would continue working for now, thank goodness!

We did 'whole group' kinetics today.  They called for pool noodles, but gave some ideas for substitutes.  So, we used foam cups!

Grace used the final banana in a blueberry-banana smoothie.  It wasn't much, but she, William and Alice managed to split it three ways. = )

I found time to finish yesterday's hat and one more today for a nice pleasant 10 to send to Diem!

Grace and Juliet and William all had Zoom meetings today, then I had one this evening with Alice's teacher (and the other parents in the class) and then I had a MOPS Zoom for virtual watercolor painting.  It was really fun! Also, I totally stole Deb's group picture.

For dinner we had cheese tortellini in alfredo.

Now it is late, and time for bed after a ridiculously stressful day, that at least ended with just the right amount of art. = )

later days

April 21st, 39th Day of Quarnatine, 20th Day of School at Home

The expected high today is 39F.  And it snowed this morning.  I am sick of the cold and sick of the snow and the cold.

Everyone was up and ready to go on their google classroom this morning.  I felt a little overwhelmed as teachers added some assignments after we had already started for the day, but we managed.  Also, the PE and music teacher have classes now, so we did a few activities from their rooms today.  First up was PE.

I'm letting the time they spend in music "class" count toward their piano, to keep their days from stretching out too long.

And, despite the chilly temperature, I still sent the kids out for outdoor recess.  They only lasted a few minutes, but I had time to check the mail, put out a card for William's teacher and pick up some sticks (and branches) from last night's storm.

Once school was finished, I made two more hats to send of to Diem.

The box is looking pretty full. I'm hoping to fit at least 4 more in there, but I'll need to repack as efficiently as possible once I've made those.  Maybe I can fit even more!

We got some of our porch pottery and porch rug in, which will be more exciting when we are actually able to go enjoy it!

For dinner we had tacos.  Everyone enjoys them, with the exception of Alice.

Tomorrow is the official start of the school at home for the kids, wish us luck!

later days

April 17th, 35th day of Quarantine, 18th Day of School at Home

Today's expected high is 36F. It is currently snowing, still.  The sky has been at it all day.

Once the kids started on their school work, I managed a few more hats for Diem.  The orange shiny fabric is tough to iron, so it took me twice as long.  The hat also turned out really stiff, so I don't think I'll make any more with that type of fabric.

For lunch I turned some of the leftover brisket and yesterday's chicken into fajitas.  It was really tasty!

I had a parent/teacher Zoom meeting with Alice's class.

And then, right after that, I got to chat with some of my long lost Bear Creek friends!  (I shamelessly stole the picture from Kristey.)  It was so good to see them, and made this time feel less scary and sad.

And then, to finish out our night, all 7 of us snuggled up on the couch and watched and episode of Kim Possible.  Y'all, 19 year old me would not have ever believed this story.

I'm over the cold and the snow, but oh so happy to have the life I have.

later days

April 16th, Day 34 of Quarantine, School at Home, Day 18th

The expected high today is a measly 40F.  Woke up to another dusting on the ground, but the sun has peeked out a few times, but it is still cold.

The kids started their school work, but at 9:30 I left them to their own devices (read: not much working going on ) so that I could go to a virtual meeting. = )

My mops group had a live meet-up today, followed by a zoom with our table.  It's nice to feel connected, especially with everything being closed.

I sewed up 3 new hats for Diem and her coworkers, some of them during my Zoom meeting with my table, but the rest gave me time to think.

I sewed pieces of this directional fabric back together for a large enough piece to go with the tie that I had already made:

People are angry and scared (and bored) right now which will be interesting to study, but not fun to live.  Friendships are being completely demolished.  People are hurting because they can't work, no one wants to get sick, and the protest yesterday in Lansing strained many relationships.

I do want the record to show that a silver lining for our household is that we are using the terrible trash bags (liners =/= trash bags) at a much faster pace, so we might actually use them before the 5 year estimate I made when they arrived. = )

For dinner we had salt and pepper chicken shish kebab from Sam's, with some vegetable skewers and rice.

I had enough free time to watch some Supernatural in the evening, but the episode was the Scooby-Doo crossover, so I had to keep shooing the kids out of the room.

I'm ready for the week to be over, thankfully tomorrow is Friday!

later days

When it wasn't a snow day...

The twins went on an errand with avia. They were so excited that they were actually ready before she arrived. So they waited.

100 days of school was postponed until the next school day, but William's project was definitely my favorite. No tape or glue or stickers (though I did see a stamp one that I might have to try when the twins have their turn.) And, he only had to punch the paper 50 times.  We did count them after each 10, so we did plenty of counting to make his teacher proud. = )

I had some items to bring in one day, so we took pictures near Alice's classroom.

On picture day, I dressed the twins in their new twin outfits from Uncle John and Aunt Diem.  They are just too cute.

I literally had to hold the big kids out of the picture with the twins, so after I got the shot I wanted, everyone joined in.  How I love them!

We also lucked out and had the Pritchards over one evening.  The kids love having their friends come over.  We had a good time playing munchkin, though we missed Nicole who was home sick.  = (

Billy and I went on a brunch date to The Creole.  It was so good.  We will be going back.

Alice is so easy to please when it comes to doing her hair in the morning.  All she wants is a ponytail (but would happily skip brushing her hair completely if  I'd let her.)  She's been like this as long as I can remember, which is great in a rush, but super disappointing when you want to do fancy styles for special days.  = (

Luckily for me, next I got Emily. = )  Emily will let me play and experiment with her hair.  So, on days we have a little time in the mornings, I'll try different styles.

Not all of them turn out great, but you never know till you try!

I took this picture because it goes with a Juliet story.  I love to wear holiday earrings.  I guess it's my way of  'decorating' for each holiday.  I don't have all the holidays yet (working on my collection.)  Apparently I've worn them often enough that when I decided to wear my parrot set, Juliet asked if it were a "parrot holiday."  = )

later days