Covid-19 Social Distancing: Week 2

On Monday, we had the official executive order to stay at home. It seems like as we moved into our second week it would be worse, but at least we're in somewhat of a routine. For me, the highlight was definitely the "Festival of Learning" we held Friday night. It started out as sort of a joke, but it ended up being a fun way to celebrate what the kids have been working on. Nellie made a German meal of kniffles, jaegerschnitzel, and sauerkraut, played a new song on her flute, and shared her Germany presentation. Annie shared her Spain presentation and a tutorial about her liquid nightlight, and played her ukulele. The boys played piano and DJ said the three French words he knows. :) Mary Cate recited the Bible verse.

I also loved driving around town tonight delivering Annie's biscotti and cookies to local family members, but that was bittersweet, too, since we couldn't stay to visit.

Drawing letters in pudding

This is a terribly dangerous game in which one person climbs the tree and "hides" the ball out of reach... 

...then the other person tries to get it down.

Making kniffles, crutches style

Baking with Avery virtually!

What has been the highlight of your week, and what has been the hardest part?
Nellie: The hardest part has been having a new cast. It's been really painful on my ankle. The highlight was making the German dinner for everyone.

DJ: A highlight was everyone playing together outside, even Nellie. The hardest part is having to be with everyone, all the time, even when they're annoying.

Eddie: The best part was that I won a bunch of championships. The hardest part was a bunch of people being grouchy, probably. But really there are no bad parts. There are so many fun things to do.

Annie: Virtual baking with Avery was the highlight. For the hardest part...maybe just people not getting along. I wish we'd get along more.

Kevin: The highlight was getting outside, getting some home repairs done.  [He didn't think we'd want to remember the bad parts.]

Mary Cate was already sleeping.

Covid-19 Social Distancing: Week 1

Governor Whitmer announced late Thursday night, March 12, that schools would be closed for three weeks as of Monday. The kids have been out once since school closed at the end of the day Friday, to go for a hike at Woldumar. Plus lots of playing outdoors as the late winter/early spring weather allows, staying at least 6 feet away from any walkers or runners!

When the playground is closed...

...you can still play ball (this made me nervous)

and parking rails make nice balance beams.

What has been the best part of being home?
Nellie: Mary has been so funny. She makes me laugh so much! Like last night when she was running around and singing about lots of turkeys. Then she picked up a leaf and asked it, "Is God real? Is he far away? NO! He's in your heart!" You should have been there.

Annie: I like how I've probably learned more about things in different areas than I do in school. Like I've been learning Spanish and sign language; I don't learn about that in school.

DJ: Going to Woldumar and playing in the "Octopus Tree." School is like three hours instead of seven hours.

Eddie: We still get to do school!

Mary Cate: That mommy gets to be my teacher. [Ribbit, rabbit, ribbit--she's pretending to be Froggy Doggy, her new favorite animal.]

Kevin: We've been eating pretty good. I think we ate three week's worth of food in one week, though.

Mom: That even with the anxiety and tension this week, there's been lots of laughter. Also, all the delicious food. Muffins, biscotti, scones, Swedish meatballs...

What has been the hardest part of being home this week?
Nellie: The boys fighting. And the fact that we're not home because we want to be, we have to be. Plus the fear over coronavirus.

Annie: Probably like Nellie said, the fighting. Every time you turn around, someone's fighting. Then they stop, and a few minutes later, someone else is fighting. Also, privacy goes down the drain.

DJ: Living with everyone is super hard. Like living with everyone, all the time.

Eddie: I don't think I have one!

Mary Cate: That I DON'T get to see my teachers and my friends that I love.

Kevin: Uncertainty.

Mom: The Extreme Togetherness plus teaching through remote learning plus worry for others, for our family, for our community, and the future.

Mary's prayer and observation

In the kitchen yesterday afternoon:

Mom, can I pray right now? Yes! The Bible says you can pray any time. In fact, it says you should pray all the time! Okay. Dear Jesus. Thank you for this day. I miss Mrs. Hartzler, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Blundy, and Mrs. Pelle, and all my friends. Juanito, and Elle, and Noelle. Thank you for SO many mommy days. We can snuggle and snuggle and snuggle and snuggle. I can snuggle her arm. I can snuggle her face. Help coronavirus to go away so I can see the people I love. And like. And know. Thank you for mommy, and daddy, and Eddie. And DJ, and Annie, and Nellie. I can pray AS LONG AS I WANT TO. Amen.

Also yesterday afternoon:

Mom! Mom! Fish do NOT have buttcheeks. Turtles, don't either. (Thank you, big brothers.)

Eddie and Mary Cate

These two are my near-constant companions since we go to school together every day. It's a lot of fun and they are just the sweetest together, most of the time. Here's a sampling.

In the car on the way to and from school, they like to be my "radio." Whenever I want to turn on something other than a Dora or Daniel Tiger DVDs, they insist I turn off the radio so they can sing. Mostly "Angels We Have Heard on High" in English and Spanish. I make a big show of turning the volume up when it's my "favorite song."

I commented one time that Eddie is like Mary's superhero because he helps her so much. One day, he hung her coat on a hook and Mary was just beside herself. "Mommy, it's so high up. He must be a superhero!" Eddie might take the job a little too seriously, though. He's taken to getting up in the middle of the night when she cries (which happens every night.) Usually, I'm halfway down the hall when I hear him scrambling out of bed, yelling, "I'm coming, Mary! It's okay!" 💗 I'm trying to coach him that it's okay, he can stay in bed and sleep.

Nearly every night, the two of them fall asleep in my bed while I grade papers or fold laundry. Last night, Eddie was falling asleep long before Mary-the-napper. She announced to me that Eddie was already sleeping. "No, I'm not," he replied. Knowingly, she nodded and whispered to him, "Just a really long blink, then?"