Work from Home/No School/COVID-19 - Week 2

A quick update on the COVID-19 pandemic...  it's just continuing to get worse, unfortunately.  Around the US and then narrowing into Iowa - the positive cases just keep coming in and increasing.  We are hearing that things will get worse before it gets better.  SO SAD.  So with that - there's a really good possibility that the kids will not be going back to school this year.  I ache at that, and just almost makes me sick. 

SO...  with that - the kids are doing ok.  I mean, we definitely have had some issues - things like just not wanting to do any 'work'.  I get it, I've been trying to have them do a little school work each morning.  Some days are much better than others.  However, now we are actually getting some work from their teachers, so that will help (at least I hope).  We'll start on that this week.

Cora has been an emotional wreck (the best way I can describe it).  She's mad...  she wants to go to school and wants to see her teacher.  Period.  This is so hard, especially at that age.  I don't think she really understands. 

Kayson has been fine - he still thinks it's 'ok' that he's missing school - but then some moments he gets a little bummed that he's missing all the fun 5th grade stuff.  I'm trying to remind him of those things and how important some of those things are before he shifts to 6th grade.  I want him to understand the importance.

So...  in a nutshell - all our days are the same, pretty much the weekends too!!  All the days just blend together.  I do have to say the days are going pretty quickly, especially when I'm working.  I appreciate that, but then also hurts - makes you really realize what we are missing - what the kids are missing:  dance, baseball, friends, school. 

Anyway, I'm trying to keep with the pictures while we are home...  remembering what we've been doing and trying to keep busy.

The kids picked up trash around the neighborhood pond!

DIY Side Table for Cora's room

This makes me laugh, but of all the 'stupid' things my kids watch on YouTube - but the other day, Cora was actually watching something very interesting.  It was called "mom hacks" or something like that.  Anyway, there was a quick video on how to make a side table/book shelf out of wooden crates.  So... we decided to go with it, as she could use a little side table in her room!!!

I got two fairly cheap crates, and some navy paint.  Then it was all up to Cora (and a little to me and Ryan).  She actually did really well, and was super excited to paint them.  

Ryan got some 'connectors' (that's not what they are called), but whatever...  

and here is the final look!  So cute!!

She painted 90% of these, and did so well!

Decorated perfectly for her!

She LOVES it!

Work from Home/No School/COVID-19 - Week 1 udpate

Well, we survived the week.
The kids did well, we had some meltdowns, but overall - they did good, and honestly, they've been going outside in the afternoons (playing with Olivia or taking Boomer for walks), and that's been a lifesaver. 

I've been trying to work hard from about 8 til lunch time, as at those times the kids are preoccupied with worksheets or reading or iPads or other things...  yes, I'm helping them with stuff, but it's been pretty good.  Then in the afternoon, we all seem to 'lose interest'.  There have been times of losing our patience with each other, and then other times when we've got it all together! I can't expect the world here, I'm doing my best. 

Ryan was home with us Thursday morning, so that was good.  The kids REALLY listened and kept quiet.  Funny how that works when their Dad is home.  :)

Friday was probably our 'worst' day.  Cora was owly and super crabby... but she did get over it.  Again, we got through the first week, but still not my favorite thing to do!!  

We are doing our best...  and hopefully it will continue. 
and from the pictures, you can tell that Boomer is LOVING having us home. 

Work from Home/No School/COVID-19 - Week 1

Well, it's the official start of Week 1 of working from home and no official school.  #supersadface
So far, Monday has been ok...  the kids did well for me this morning.  They didn't fight doing some math work and also read for me really well.  Honestly, that seems like a huge success.  But it's only day 1!  I just hope I can keep that routine. 

The afternoons are a little harder.  I'm still needing to work, and stay focused...  and I need the kids to do something.  So... on our loose schedule is doing some outside time, if possible, exercising/dance/basketball/playing catch, that type of thing.  Then also more reading... and Hope sent us a link for virtual field trips.  We'll try that.  Then we talked about having Kayson do some research projects - like on cool topics, and write about them, etc.  

There's a lot to do there, a lot to learn, a lot to get used to. Our kids are such routine kids, that I'm so scared this is going to just change them forever!!!!  Unfortunately, I'm afraid that the April 13 time to go back to school will not happen... I think it'll be much later, or school will just be cancelled in general.  I'm scared of that, and the whole thing is just unsettling.  Praying like crazy that God has an answer here. 

Since our weekends are now exactly like our regular days...  I'll just post when I can and when I have something 'exciting'.  I do continue to take pictures... but they all seem to be about the same now.  :(

My new workspace - dining room table, with Boomer on my lap

Boomer - 4 months old!!

March 21 was Boom's 4 month birthday!  Funny, I know, but I'm going to try to keep better track of what this pup is doing!!

Today he went back to the vet for his last set of puppy shots.  With this COVID-19 pandemic going on, I had to stay in my car... a tech came and got him, took him in, did their thing... and brought him back.  Not exactly how I like to do things with the guy!  

His stats: 9 lbs. 1 oz.  (big boy!)  He's grown about 2.5 lbs!!
Dr. Merk was pleased... glad he is growing, was so sweet for her!    We can switch to regular puppy food, so we'll be doing that this week.  Overall, good visit and next up is neuter!

Anyway, he's still very busy.  I mean - BUSY.  Into everything still, but I think now he's finally learned that he's NOT SUPPOSED to, but he still does!  ha.  So... now we work on getting him to just not do it!  

He's sweet.  Oh very sweet.  When he's tired - he's TIRED.  He lays on his side or his back sometimes, all spread out.  He looks huge when he does that.  So funny.  He loves laps, especially mine, which I enjoy when it's late at night and we aren't doing anything!

His paw pads seem huge, compared to Q & M.  So really interested in how big he will actually get.  

He has really learned to play fetch, which is fun.  And he does pretty darn well on walks (when the kids aren't with me!)  He gets a little distracted by them.  I've got him listening to these commands when we are walking - 'stop', 'wait' and 'free'.  I'd really like to work on him sitting when we stop at a corner, so we'll see... and in addition, anytime we see a dog, I'm going to start having him 'stop'.  Definitely a lot, but he's getting there for being only 4 months old.  

I love him, a lot... and he's going to be a great addition to our family.

Spring Break 2020... cont'd

Since we are stuck at home... I feel that I'm taking more pictures, which I suppose is good.  So luckily we have this blog, and I can go back to this and see how things were. 

So we are trying to still 'enjoy' the Spring Break.  Ryan and I both had Monday through Wednesday 'off' from work.  Ryan tho, is still logging in and doing stuff - but he's needing to help prepare his co workers to work from home, etc.  I'll start working from home tomorrow (Thursday), and hope to keep the kids happy and busy.  Please pray for us... and all the others in the same situation!

Anyway, we've played games, we've danced, we've snuggled, we've baked... it's been good.  I'm glad we can be home together. 

Spring Break 2020... Weekend/Day 1

Our Spring Break plans came to a halt Friday afternoon when we were informed that Great Wolf Lodge would be closing due to the spread of COVID-19.  I was so disappointed, but also didn't surprise me either.  The whole thing is just a mess... and honestly, I'm irritated!! 

Anyway, with Spring Break cancelled, we were pretty much stuck at home... and will be for the next several weeks. 

Our weekend (Saturday and Sunday) was pretty good...  we kept busy, weather was decent.  It was a good couple days.  We even got out Saturday night - went for supper with Mike & Holly and had a great time.  Totally what we needed...  ran into some other friends too, so it was just a nice night.  Kids enjoyed their time hanging out too... 

Sunday is when things started falling apart.  Church was cancelled.  And we just kind of felt stuck.  Luckily Kayson still had baseball practice, so that was nice... getting that fresh air he needed.  

So...  our real Spring Break was a little rough... some good days, some positive moments, and then the rough times of us just being annoyed with each other, or tired and crabby!  We are human you know!  

Day 1, Monday - 
We actually took Boomer to Paws Inn for a play date - date with 15 other dogs!  We figured it would be good for him... good to get that social interaction, and get worn out.  It worked!   I did a ton of cleaning and organizing Monday.  (Would have rather been at a water park with my kids and friends, but whatever!!)  It was actually a good day...  got plenty done, sat with the kids some...  just nice.  Jess, Lex and the kids stopped by to meet Boomer and see us... it was a nice visit, but my kids were a little owly (probably already annoyed with Day 1!)  

We baked brownies Saturday

Lots of movies and cuddling!

More cuddling!

Baseball practice ready!

So many walks!!

and the face of "4 weeks at home!?!?!?"