April 24th, 42nd Day of Quarantine, School at Home Day 23

The high today is 53F.  There's no wind and the sun is trying to peek out, but it's still too cold to be outside for too long.

From what I can tell so far, the teachers are treating Friday as a kind of make up day, so the work load is pretty light for my crew since they work pretty hard every day.

Emily and I worked on some Mother's Day cards, using the cards I painted during my mops after dark meeting.

For dinner I made some hotdog/spaghetti "squid."  The kids loved it, and Billy and I were able to tolerate it.  I will not be making it again anytime soon, as it is so time intensive and far from gourmet. = )

Billy and I enjoyed some wine with our "spaghetti squid" so we stayed at the table and had a mini-wine date, but I neglected to take a picture.

After dinner, I set out to watch "How to loose a guy in 10 days," as kind of an 'assignment' from our MOPS table.  Our leader is awesome and dropped off some candies, and popcorn and a fizzy drink to enjoy.  Sadly, when I went out to see if either of the services that I already pay for have it available, I found that it will cost me $4 to watch it.  I saw it a long time ago, but do not remember loving it, and so instead Billy and I re-watched "Hitch." Which is one of our favorites and always a good time. = )

later days

March 28th, Living the Quarantine Dream, Day 15

The expected high today is 56F.  Alice woke us in the night when a thunderstorm blew in.  It was a rainy and cold start to the day.

The kids received some packages from my moms church, which included some cards they could send to a member missing out on social time.  Emily made a fancy pop up insert, William had his sealed before I could see it, and the twins were excited to let them know it was almost their birthday. = )

William helped me wrap up and decorate some birthday gifts for the twins.

My phone reminded me, again, of the anniversary trip that we are not on. = (

And Emily set up a game of "Not Parent Approved" that we could play virtually with Cali.

We only played to five winning rounds, and Emily won!  Next time Elizabeth wants in too. = )

For dinner Billy grilled out some hamburgers, since the rain had mostly passed.

After dinner Emily, Grace and I went out to wave to our neighbors.  There were more people out tonight, and we did a little sidewalk art.  I forgot my phone, and by the time I made it back out, the clouds were sprinkling again.

And, Billy set up our second wine tour, in our favorite new date spot.  = )

later days

March 18th, "Staying Home, Staying Healthy" Day 5, Day 3 of School at Home

The expected high for today is 48F.  It is quite cloudy, and we are expecting rain this evening, but it isn't a gloomy cover this morning.

This morning the kids were a little slower getting started, but they were mostly hard at work by the time the school day began.

Emily's birthday package arrived from amazon.  She picked out some scrunchies that she shared with Juliet, who also grabbed the bubble wrap as a 'veil.'

I also received a surprise package of M*A*S*H DVDs from a friend. = )

Our recess alarms are set for 10:30 and 1:15 and the kids had a good time both breaks = )  The twins finished their work before the first recess!

For lunch we had BLTs at Alice's request.

And William kicked his day into high gear and might actually finish before dinner tonight! = )  He enjoyed watching a video of his teacher reading a story on youtube.

And Emily made some cards for Avia to send to her friends.

We had a BBQ beef sandwich dinner (with apples) a little ahead of our regular dinner time.  Alice watched a little of the Cincinnati Zoo home safari with me.  Today's animal was an ocelot!

Week one has been good so far.  I am enjoying having everyone home.  The kids enjoy "recess" time outside.  I'm thankful for the favorable* weather so far!

Our rations are holding up, and I've been working on my Sam's order for Monday (assuming society rules don't change between now and then.)  Even if I am able to make the run, I will have to supplement with a trip to either Kroger or Carl's since I'm not able to get bleach (I just opened my last bottle, and can't follow my pattern of ordering when I'm out) or eggs or vitamin D milk at Sam's as of today.

later days

*it hasn't rained or been bitterly cold

February 22nd, Aunt Rocky's Birthday Celebration, at Defy

Today the high was a cold and windy 47F.  At least at this temperature, ice and snow start to melt and the mounds cleared from the roadways start to recede. = )

The highlight of the day was celebrating Aunt Rocky's impending birthday at Defy!  They could not wait to get started!

Aunt Rocky and Billy bounced too!

Playing 'basketball' with Aunt Rocky.

I have no idea what happened.

I think Alice was feeling a little off.  She spent the final 20 minutes ore so on the couch watching the TV.  And when we came home she took a nap.

For lunch we went to Chick-fil-a, and while we were there I picked up a gift card for Cali's upcoming birthday!

At home, Emily and I spent some time making (and a lot of time waiting on glue to dry in) her 3D card!  Emily found an online tutorial, so all the crafts she's done lately have been 3D card or displays. = )

It came out super cute.  Once everyone signed it, we got it into the envelope, before I got a picture. =  0  So, we had to open it to take a 'finished' picture, but I think it will be okay.

For dinner we ordered in Chinese.  And we all enjoyed the party favors that Aunt Rocky got for us: Giant Hershey kisses for the kids and beer for the two adults. = )

later days

Emily Attends Tyler's Party

On Saturday, Emily enjoyed celebrating with her friend Tyler.  This is the second year they've been in the same class, but later this summer he's moving to Tennessee.  So, this was Emily chance to tell him one final goodbye.

She had a really fun time, despite being the only girl from his class that he invited.

They played in the Arcade...

And bounced around, completed the obstacle course...

Scarfed down some pizza...

And played laser tag.

Tyler was also the one that came to her party earlier this year, so I know she's going to miss having him in class.

She hand made his card to look like the Tennessee flag:

She bought him a hockey shirt to wear. = ) I agonized over what to get him, as to not make more work for his mother who is in full pack mode by now.

I sent Billy pictures while we were there, because this is definitely a place he will want to check out. = )

later days

All the other Spring Fun!

My children had school on both Good Friday and Easter Monday, but the Rosenthals were passing through on their way home from visiting family in Michigan and so we spent an unexpected evening socializing with some of our "Houston friends!"

The twins twinning:

For 6 weeks, each Monday and Tuesday, Alice and Emily went to makers club.  It was actually only 3 weeks each, but it was 6 weeks of picking up the two not attending makers club, racing home to meet the bus, then loading up the twins and heading back up to the school.

Next year though, I can't wait, because we can just do homework at the school until club concludes!  And Emily and Alice will be together and William can join!!!!!

Alice is practicing spelling, William practicing writing, and they are making sure that the grocery list is complete.  Happy Days.  Reading my list as the store is always an adventure! = D

Grace picked out some pokemon cookies at the store (thanks Avia) and I tried to convince the kids that they were leftover Christmas (santa's belt) and Easter (bunny) cookies.  They didn't buy it.  Also, Pikachu is an elf in the picture.

The Oldsmobile plan chimneys are visible all over Lansing.  The low clouds made them look even taller.  I like how much this accurately represents my impression of Michigan.

Emily likes to go to rummage sales as much as I do.  She was all smiles before we went to 3 last Saturday!

We made homemade 'baby food' to go with a doll that Alice gifted one of her friends for their birthday today.  The twins really like to feed their babies too, now that they know it's a thing*. = )

I'm not sure what it is about this time of year, but my friends all seem to have children with birthdays.  And all of their children are turning 10.  All.of.them.  So, I took a picture with my 9 year old.  Because I still have one.  At least for a few more months. = )

I made a new dish last week, with okra.  I was surprised to find okra up here, but it went so well with the Cajun flavor!

Grace and Juliet helped me make cookies for my mops meeting last week.  It was our next to last meeting of the year!

The twins left finger prints all over the glass door while we were waiting for their medicine to arrive.  It took for.ev.er.  So, I had them clean the door when they were done.

Grace decided that she wanted to buy a replacement umbrella with her birthday money (she broke her old one) at the zoo gift shop.  So, on Wednesday, after their medicine shipment arrived, we headed to the zoo. Grace is roaring, and Juliet is hissing (like the snake behind her.)

And we had to go see the tiger, like Grace's tiger ears!  But, he was asleep.  We weren't sure what tigers dreamed about, but they were impressed by the size of his paws. = )

We didn't stay long, since we had to go set up for MOPS, and it was cold again, but it was awesome to exercise their birthday membership!

We received a lovely box of goodies from a family friend.  Emily has been thoroughly enjoying them.  Here, she is creating a card to give her teacher for teacher appreciation week.  = )

One of the strange perks of living in Michigan is how fresh the dairy is!  We were drinking this milk on May 2nd.  And it was still good! = 0

I'm glad, because my family is so not consistent with their milk consumption.  And it was better to overbuy than underbuy.

Also, last weekend, not this weekend, but last weekend it was warm enough for me to mow the yard in so few layers that I got a sunburn!  (such that it is.)  Alice helped with the picture taking. ; )

My children doing 'tricks' (?)

later days

*Alice tested it out on their dolls before we made up all the baggies.  It's just baking soda and food coloring, so I wasn't worried.  But it's always good to test.