April 30th, 48th Day of Quarantine, School at Home Day 27

Today the expected high was only 54F.  It rained most of the day, and was dreary even when the precipitation stopped.

We had some late risers this morning, so not much school work got done before my mops meeting and subsequent table group zoom.  So, when it was finally time to go back to work, after a lazy morning for my little ones, Juliet had a hard time adjusting.

She told me that the work I give (from her teacher) is way harder than what her teacher gives.  She also lamented that her teacher always gives free choice.  I tried to snap a picture to send to her teacher of her pout, but she couldn't help but smile at her own ridiculousness.

I got an email encouraging particpation in a PTO driven teacher appreciation activity.  They asked for pictures, so I used the pillowcase & paint application to save on printer ink!

William had a google meet with his class this afternoon, and I'm fixin' to go to one for all the parents in Alice's class.

After second recess I washed all of William's bedding and did one more lice treatment, despite the lack of evidence I've seen all week, just in case.

I also took a toothbrush to the upstairs screens, since they were all dusty.  That then lead to vacuuming the upstairs before I started dinner.

For dinner we had hot dogs and beans.  William likes it enough to ask for seconds and the rest of us like it well enough that we eat it fairly often.

I also began my research for a regular homeschool option this fall, just in case the schools start back before we are willing to send our "history of respiratory issue" babies back into a public school building.  It's exciting and intimidating, but the stakes are high enough to make it worth it.

We had an ideal start time for our bedtime routine, so I had time to read an extra book, my favorite of the bedtime stories, Llama Llama Red Pajama to my babies.

Hopeful for a drier, warmer day tomorrow!

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.