Fairly "normal" week

Although things are far from normal right now, this week was more of a regular week which was nice.  I was home on Thursday to give Matt a break from being "teacher" for the day.  Other than that, the kids had their usual remote school work to do and Anna had horseback riding on Wednesday afternoon.  

On Saturday morning Olivier had another virtual jiu jitsu.  It is isn't as fun as the traditional class but nice to keep the connection with his instructors.  

And Saturday was a warm day!  So Matt set up the old kid inflatable pool under the trampoline (to keep it in the shade) and the kids enjoyed the cold water. 

And poor Taz just did not understand why he couldn't be out there playing in the inflatable pool too! 

And this morning Anna and I did a virtual get together with some of her friends.  And we did facials.  A totally new thing to me so one friend provided a recipe and although it was too liquidy, the get together was wonderful and we hope to do it again. 

Now we wait to see what the week ahead will bring! 

Easter Afternoon and Back to "School"

During the afternoon of Easter Sunday we had a family conference online.  Feels super weird but it was nice that we still got a chance to chat together.  

On Monday I took a day off work and enjoyed the day at home with the kids and Matt while the kids were still on spring break ("school" starts again on Thursday).  They did an art project. 

And here are the finished projects!  Very fun and colorful!

I also helped Olivier finish building his robot that he got for Christmas.  It has a claw on it so the boys created their own claw game with Mason's pile of rubber ducks.  It was fun to see them using it after the effort Olivier put in to get it built!

On Tuesday we found out that the rest of the school year will be conducted via remote learning.  It is not a surprise but it is a disappointment because they really miss their classmates and it is hard to adjust.  We are trying to make the best of the situation.  One day at a time...

On Friday, the County announced that the shelter at home provision that started March 20th is being extended until May 16th...at least.  It is hard but we know that it is for the benefit of all and knowing now at least allows us to plan.

This morning Olivier had his first video conference jiu jitsu.  It wasn't the same as in person class but it was nice to get some interaction while he does the drill. 

This afternoon the kids made these signs that we posted out front.  Many thanks to all those medical workers! 

Happy Easter!

Thankfully the Easter Bunny is an essential employee so the kids still got goodies!  In their buckets they got chocolate bunnies, closed toed sandals (need for summer camp although we don't know for sure those will even happen), and an egg with a little money.  Olivier also got some crazy socks, Mason got a blue polo, and Anna got a white sweater.  

As of now they have found 101 out of the 102 eggs the Easter Bunny hid.  They were filled with Reeses eggs, kisses, chocolate eggs, jelly beans and fruit loops.  Happy kids! 

Spring Break!

This week the kids were on "spring break".  Not much changed except they didn't have school work to do this week.  It was a rainy week to start so that added to the cabin fever a bit but everyone made it through! 

On Tuesday the boys made these sweet treat clay creations. 

On Wednesday, Matt and the kids dropped of a few things with his brothers and parents so they got to see family which was a nice treat!  And that night we played the game of Life.  We had a great time.  And a couple weeks ago on a Wednesday night we played Not Parent Approved which the kids always get a kick out of. 

On Thursday the kids colored eggs.  The color kit had glitter (oops, my bad!) so it will be interesting peeling them but at least the glitter should was off the peeled eggs easily! 

On Friday there was an awesome surprise in the driveway!  They made some really cool art!

And made some bunny pictures so we can remember this crazy Easter!

We found out that on Tuesday the school Board will decide if the rest of the school year will be remote learning.  We are thinking they will but it is hard to know with things changing so quickly.  Someone from the school district sent a reminder on Friday with the subject "Back to School on April 16, 2020" and both of us got our hopes up and then we realized it was just a reminder that they extended spring break and it just means back to on line classes on the 16th.  We miss school!

Another week down...

On Sunday Anna made cake brownies.  It is fun to see her grow in her ability to handle a recipe, she decided to make them and off she went, no help from us needed!  

While Anna was baking, the boys and I worked on a sewing project.  We took beanies, socks and mittens that don't fit them anymore and made these special creatures. 

 Olivier named his Tim. 

Mason did not name his. 

And the art during the week continued.  The used clay to create these cute creations!  Mason made a mini version of his giant stuffed calico cat we call fat cat. 

Anna made a cute heart and strawberry.  We think the strawberry looks like one from Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2. 

Olivier made a fish that likes Oreo cookies!

And they made sunset paintings. 

And Wednesday was Eli's 10th birthday.  We had a Zoom meeting birthday with family and we all lit candles in tasty treats to share in the celebration.  Hard to be away from each other when trying to celebrate! 

And the boys made these water color paintings using salt.  Very cool effect!

Anna used the time to make peg dolls of her close friends. 

I have taken a number of the new art work pieces to my office and am loving it!  

The Center for Disease Control is now recommending that everyone now wear mask when outside.  Previously it was only recommended that those who are sick wear masks but they have adjusted that recommendation because so many people don't know they are sick when they are indeed are, they are asking all of us to wear masks.  I have spent time over the last couple weekends making mask.  Another thing that I never thought I would be making...

Next week is "spring break"!  No school work which will be nice, but that makes more time to fill with other activities which will bring new challenges...

This week at home

We all survived another week, although this one brought us a few more curve balls!  

Monday's art project:

After dinner the kids and I took a walk and they enjoy seeing a cat that is around the same spot each time we pass.  They are calling her Professor McGonagall from the Harry Potter books.  Very sweet cat.

Tuesday's art project!  (Olivier's has his Lego model included.)

And to help out, I stayed home on Wednesday and got to see the kids make these amazing art projects. 

 And Thursday's shaving cream art!

And this is the curve ball we had to battle.  We had noticed the floor in Olivier's room/closet was very warm and seemed to be getting warmer.  On the other side of the wall is the water heater and sure enough there was a leak.  It wasn't in the pipe in the wall, it was in the slab...and it wasn't the pipe that would have been easier to fix, it was in the one that required jack hammering the slab, digging and all kind of work.  We are grateful that they stayed later and go the work done so we would have hot water in the house again. 

And on a happier note, here is Friday's art.

Matt took a photo this week of the homeschool setup.  It is a busy house with three kids school day to keep track of and there are still hiccups but Matt has been master detective to figure out all the issue and keep them going.  One day at a time...one day at a time. And Friday night we found out that homeschool will continue at least through May 1st.  One day at a time...