Quarantine--March

It has been such a strange time since the COVID-19 started affecting us here in Minnesota.  During the last week we were in our regular routine (the week of March 9-13), my school was starting to make some changes (lunch before recess, mandatory hand-washing several times a day, not being able to do our regular greetings, etc.).  By that Friday, we were unsure what the next week would look like.  On Sunday, the governor announced that schools would be closed starting Wednesday, until March 27th.  The girls' school decided to close immediately, whereas my school offered Monday and Tuesday as optional days for kids who didn't have childcare.  The girls were excited for this extra time off of school.  For me, it was so strange.  I had 6 students on Monday, and we actually had a really fun day at school that day.  The kids were so excited to have such a small group.  By that evening, the governor and president had spoken, and it was decided that starting Wednesday, teachers were going to be working from home to prepare for distance learning.  Tuesday, I only had 3 students, and the feeling was much different.  We were packing up iPads, chargers, and folders of optional work for the next week and a half.  We found ways to keep the kids busy, so our team could meet and figure out what we needed to send home and bring home ourselves.  Putting those 3 kids on the bus made me so sad.  I wasn't sure (and am still not) that we would get to be back in school together this year, and we hadn't had a proper goodbye on the previous Friday when we were all together.  I cried on the way home from school as it hit me even harder.

Wednesday began a new journey--training to learn how to teach online.  Our school made it very user-friendly, but Wed.-Fri. was definitely overwhelming as my team tried to learn how to use new technology tools and figure out our new normal.  It was nice to have the weekend before spending the next week planning and preparing lessons.  The girls were very excited to set up their work spaces for distance learning that weekend.

The next week, I ended up going to the chiropractor after sitting in the same position in front of a computer was hard on my hips and lower back.  On top of that, trying to work and keep the girls busy was a balancing act.  We ended up having more of a set schedule during that full week, and the girls had some workbooks and online resources I had them work on.  We did try to get out and go for walks at lunch and after I was done working.

I was so thankful this week that I was on spring break, since it was the girls' first week of distance learning, and I could focus on helping them have a good start.  Abby is pretty independent with her work, and Norah does okay, but needs a little help here and there.  It's been working well for me to take her teacher's slides and make it into one big list that she can cross off as she goes.  Both have been working hard, but are looking forward to their own spring break next week.  I'm glad that I won't be having to help manage their work next week when I start up again with my own class.

Looking back on those first two weeks that we were home, I feel bad that I wasn't able to appreciate our time at home more.  I was having a hard time sleeping and lots of emotion about my class.  I know we are fortunate to be able to stay safe at home; I think it's just been a situation that has so much unknown and is scary to think about.  This week, while on spring break, I've tried to appreciate the time more.  I've gotten a few organizing projects done, enjoyed the beautiful weather and gone for lots of walks/bike rides, and we have completed several puzzles as a family.  We've got at least a month to go, and probably more, so it will be important to focus on gratitude and try to find a better balance between working and family time when we are at home.  One day at a time!

Here are some photos of our time at home these first few weeks:

Senior discount at the local grocery store--twice now!  I think the woman working there is just trying to show some kindness in this crazy time.

Making mail for the great grandmas

Crafting

Sad that this is a craft that she wanted to create, but also creative

Online games with family!  We also had a friend game night.

Norah's been running a lot and needed to start wearing deodorant!

Breakfast for lunch!

Dressing Sadie up for a walk in the rain

The girls have gotten great at making their beds!

We loved the warm weather on Monday!

Lots of games have been played!  This was Norah's ambitious list for Sunday, but we only made it through five.

Lots of puzzling!  Abby likes to help make the border.

Abby got an early birthday present--I got a new phone, and Abby got my old one.  I wasn't sure if I was ready for that phase of life yet, but it really has been a nice way for her to connect with her friends and our family members during this time.

Drawing at her new workspace

Enjoying the sun on the deck

Sidewalk chalk with painter's tape

Online Sunday School

Sadie fell asleep during online church

Math problems at the dinner table

Messaging her teacher on SeeSaw

Norah's hair boutique

Afternoon naps

Art homework

April Fool's joke--"The toilet is smoking!"

Laundry party

Abby's 12th birthday

Abby's 12th birthday will definitely be remembered...while plans with friends and extended family have been put off for sometime in the future, we still made the most of her special day at home.  Dave was able to take the day off, so we had a nice day at home together.  She started her day with a bath bomb bath and cinnamon rolls/scrambled eggs for breakfast.

Next came a morning of schoolwork, but Abby was able to finish most of her work by about 10:45.  During the morning, we were able to FaceTime with my grandma from the hospital.  It was so sweet hearing her sing "Happy Birthday" to Abby.  After her school work was done, Abby needed to do some exercising for gym, so we took Sadie for a walk while Norah finished some reading.  Norah had hidden all of Abby's presents (from us, my parents, sister, and my aunt) and made a scavenger hunt for Abby to find all of them.  She was very excited for Abby to complete the hunt and open her presents.  We FaceTimed with my mom and dad, so they could see Abby open their gifts.  Abby was so excited about all of her gifts.

For lunch, we ordered Subway online and picked it up.  Abby chose to eat downstairs and watch "America's Funniest Videos".

After lunch, Abby needed to finish up some more for gym and Norah had some schoolwork to wrap up.  Abby and I went for a bike ride, and then we played a new game she got for her birthday.

In the afternoon, Abby had a Zoom meeting for her advisory class, so the rest of us went outside so she wouldn't be disturbed.  Norah helped work on some sidewalk chalk greetings for Abby's birthday.

It was pretty nice out, so we played outside and cleaned the garage after Abby's Zoom meeting.  Then, Norah and I had to run to an appointment, while Abby and Dave stayed behind and watched "Hook".  Just before we were about to eat dinner, Abby got a big surprise--Dave's parents had driven up from Albert Lea to parade around our cul-de-sac with birthday signs.  They also brought a gift from Dave's cousin Jenny and family.  Abby was so excited to see them!

Abby FaceTimed with Greg and RoseMary before we ate, and then video messaged with Tracy after supper.  We also called my other grandma to thank her for Abby's birthday card.  Abby's request for supper was shredded beef enchiladas--she helped me make them yesterday.

After supper, Abby opened the gift from Jenny, Wade, and Grace, and then we FaceTimed with my brother and sister and all of the grandmas/grandpas while Abby blew out her birthday candles.  She had helped me make her strawberry cake yesterday as well.

Abby wanted to stay up until 9:01 (the time she was born), so she and Dave finished "Hook" while Norah and I took Sadie for a walk.  Norah joined them for the end of the movie, and then Dave read Dr. Suess's Happy Birthday to You before Abby went to bed.  We reflected on how busy her day would have been had school been in session--waking up at 6, bus at 6:40, piano lessons, eating late, opening presents late...even though she has to adjust her plans with friends, we were very fortunate to be able to have this fun day together.

In June, Abby went to the doctor for her rescheduled 12-year check-up.  She weighed 69 pounds (4th percentile) and was 59 inches tall (31st percentile).

Abby's 12-year interview

Favorite color:  blue

Least favorite color:  brown

Favorite book:  Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

Favorite fruit:  canteloupe

Favorite vegetable:  peas

Favorite tv show:  Andi Mack

Favorite movie:  Jumanji
Favorite animal:  dog

Favorite food:  pizza

Favorite school lunch:  walking tacos

Favorite thing to wear:  rompers

Favorite snack:  Goldfish

Favorite zoo animal:  giraffe

Best friend:  Kira

Favorite cereal:  Apple Jacks

Favorite drink:  apple juice

Favorite thing to do with Mommy:  snuggle

Favorite thing to do with Daddy:  wrestle

Favorite thing to do with Norah:  play

Favorite thing to do with Sadie:  play

Favorite store:  Vera Bradley

Favorite toy:  Legos

Favorite game:  Rat a Tat Cat

Favorite song:  High Hopes

Favorite thing to do outside:  basketball

Favorite holiday:  my birthday

What I want to be when I grow up:  dolphin trainer

What makes me happy:  when Norah wants to play with me

What makes me sad:  when I get hurt

What I like about Daddy:  he's funny

What I like about Mommy:  she's nice

What I like about Norah:  she's nice

What I like about Sadie:  she's soft

Now that I'm 12:  I got a phone

Norah's 8th birthday

Norah had a lot of fun planning and celebrating her 8th birthday this year!  The weekend before her birthday, we headed down to Rochester to spend some time with my family.  We went to Chuck E. Cheese and met up with Dave's parents and cousin Jenny, Wade, and Grace.

On Norah's actual birthday, we had donuts and eggs for breakfast and Norah got to open a card from my grandma and a present from my aunt Lori before having a normal school day (not Norah's idea of a fun birthday).  Luckily, her birthday was on a Tuesday, which is an open night for us, so we had plenty of time to finish opening presents and go out for dinner (Norah's choice--Raising Cane's).  We came back and had cake that our neighbor had made Norah as a birthday present.  Dave had also picked up cupcakes from Sugar Rose, so we enjoyed those the next weekend when his parents came up for a visit.

On the Friday after Norah's birthday, I took the afternoon off to take Norah to her 8-year check up at the doctor.  She was 47 inches tall (7th percentile) and weighed 47 pounds (13th percentile).  

I brought her back to school, and after picking up Abby, we went back and picked up Norah and her friends, Breia and Emma.  I took the girls swimming at the aquatic center, then we picked up pizza and headed home.  The girls ate, did some painting, opened presents, had cupcakes, and played.  Before bed, they watched Frozen 2 (Norah's choice of theme for her party).  Breia ended up going home before bed, and Emma had to leave early the next morning for dance pictures, but Norah had a lot of fun with her friends!

Annie

Dave's parents adopted a puppy (a German Shepherd mix), and the girls were so excited to meet her!  Dave's mom and dad even let the girls help name her.  Annie is very sweet and full of energy.  She has cat- and goat-like behaviors, as she leaps onto things (she even jumped onto our couch and then onto our kitchen island).  Abby and Norah can't wait to see her again!

Norah's 8-year interview

Favorite color:  purple

Least favorite color:  black

Favorite book:  Dogman

Favorite fruit:  blueberries

Favorite vegetable:  celery

Favorite tv show:  Tom & Jerry

Favorite movie:  Hallmark movies
Favorite animal:  dog

Favorite food:  pizza

Favorite school lunch:  pancakes

Favorite thing to wear:  jammies

Favorite snack:  Goldfish

Favorite zoo animal:  zebra

Best friends:  Breia & Emma

Favorite cereal:  Oreo Os (even though she's never had them before!)

Favorite drink:  Sparkling Ice drinks

Favorite thing to do with Mommy:  snuggle

Favorite thing to do with Daddy:  wrestle

Favorite thing to do with Abby:  play

Favorite thing to do with Sadie:  play outside

Favorite store:  Target

Favorite toy:  Barbies

Favorite game:  Trouble

Favorite song:  "Lost in the Woods" (from Frozen 2)

Favorite thing to do outside:  swing and do the bars

Favorite holiday:  Christmas

What I want to be when I grow up:  teacher

What makes me happy:  snuggling

What makes me sad:  I don't know

What I like about Daddy:  he wrestles with me

What I like about Mommy:  she helps me

What I like about Abby:  she plays with me

What I like about Sadie:  she lets me hug her and pet her

Now that I'm 8:  I'm older

Honor Roll Breakfast

We were so proud that Abby earned a spot on the A honor roll for her first semester of 6th grade!  Her school hosted an honor roll breakfast that I was able to attend.

Abby and her best friend, Kira