Thursday, April 2, 2020

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