Day 1886 | Mountains and Rivers
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We’ve been learning a lot about landforms and bodies of water for the last week. Today’s project was trying to figure out why rivers flow. It was a good one. We all learned a little something.
Day 1885 | Lego Masters
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Our family just finished watching the Lego Masters reality show (highly recommend, by the way) and our interest in Legos has hit an all-time high (I didn’t know a higher level of interest was even possible!). There have been Lego building challenges every weekend: Chase is the judge and Robbe and Chris compete. There have been some epic showdowns.
Day 1884 | Covid Crafting
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You might be surprised to hear that I haven’t managed to scrape together much time for myself during the recent health crisis. Chris is still working his normal hours and the boys and I are slowly but surely figuring out how our homeschooling schedule.
After I crafted the masks last week, though, I took advantage of my sewing machine being warmed up and made this bag that I’m in love with. I just leave it hanging on the door knob to brighten my spirits when I walk by. Maybe someday it’ll get to see the great outdoors.
I’d share a pattern but the bag strayed so far from where it started that it’s not worth linking. Ha! I won’t win any awards on this one, but I finished it. That’s all that matters (to me, anyway).
Day 1883 | Our Home
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The boys and I have been doing some pretty great work for the past few weeks. I try not to share too much of that because I don’t think it helps the psyche of everyone else right now. I constantly feel like I’m not doing enough when I look at other people’s posts and I don’t want to make anyone feel that way (not that anyone else is doing it intentionally).
Having said that, I will share bits and pieces along the way when I come across a project I really [truly] love. This is one of them.
I decided to do a geography theme this week…talking about the places around us. Monday’s activity was rooting the boys in how we fit into the bigger world. I got the idea from this blog. I was worried our eight year old would find this too “young” for him but I was surprised that he couldn’t actually answer all of these questions either. Interesting, right?
Both boys enjoyed putting these together and it was a great cutting and printing activity besides (needed for both my kindergartener and second grader). Plus, I really like the visual of how our little life fits into the bigger world.
Day 1882 | Haircuts
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I dusted off my clippers and scissors for some quarantine haircuts. All three of my boys. Whew. I’m not cut out for this back to back to back haircut thing (get it…”cut out”). Although the finished products turned out pretty good, I’ll be fine retiring my scissors again when the time comes.
Day 1881 | April Snow
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This was the scene when we woke up this morning. A beautiful + serene winter wonderland. The problem is that is April and no one is interested in a winter wonderland anymore.
We did make the most of it—got outside and enjoyed soaking up some sunshine while playing in the last of the season’s snow (it better be). We even made the snowman (or in this case snowbunny) that we somehow didn’t check off our list this year. So it’s not all bad. But we’re officially done with snow now. Welcome, spring. We’re ready for you.
Day 1880 | Happy Easter
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We did the best we could today. There was an Easter basket hunt. We dyed eggs. We had a delicious egg bake and ham dinner. We even managed a virtual hangout with about 40 of my extended family. Still…it wasn’t the same. And the snowstorm didn’t help.
Luckily, my three favorite boys pulled me out of my funk and we made the most of this bizarre holiday. I hope you all were able to find some joy in today, as well.
Day 1879 | Egg Hunt
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Today’s installment of social distancing included an egg hunt with my parents while we all worked really hard to stay six feet apart. We were really successful, I’m happy to say. Even the six-year-old did his part.
I miss people.
Day 1878 | Mt. Simon
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It wasn’t a particularly nice day but some outdoor time was definitely needed. I’m sure you understand. I’m really ready for warmer temps amidst all this social isolation. Maybe after Sunday’s snowstorm we can officially move on to spring. Fingers crossed.
Day 1877 | Face Masks
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This is what I spent a good portion of my day doing. Who would have thought, right? We each picked out our own fabric from my craft room remnant stock.
For the record, the boys are not excited about the idea of having to wear these for real. Luckily, they’ve only left the house once since March 17 (and I think my total is three). Chances are they won’t be sporting them very often.
Here’s the pattern I used, in case you’re interested.
Day 1876 | Garden Prep
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We’ve got time on our hands and seeds left over from last year so we’re going to get started on our garden early by trying to get some seedlings growing. Today’s work? Prep our containers. Tomorrow’s task? Let the planting begin.
I’ll keep you posted on progress.
Day 1875 | Chase Turns 8
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Our big guy turned eight today. That’s right. Eight.
Eight years ago our lives changed forever as we welcomed this little (now bigger) nugget into our arms. I had no idea what the future held at that point (nor do I now), but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
It was a different day than we would have expected a month ago, but it was a good day, nonetheless. Chris stayed home from work and we enjoyed spending the time as a family spoiling sweet Chase.
Day 1874 | Spring Blooms
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I’ve always loved spring but somehow it feels even more important and needed this year. I’m ready to see color popping up all over, warmer temps, and the smell of new life in the air. I’m definitely ready.
Day 1873 | A Virtual Birthday Party
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We had planned to have Chase’s birthday party today. Unfortunately, Covid-19 had other plans for our little gathering. Ugh. We did the best we could under the circumstances, though, and opted for some quality family time (which is about the only certainty in life right now) and a virtual Mario Kart party with a few of his good friends.
Our plan had been to have a small group of people over for some video-gaming and some IRL (in real life) gaming as well where we would get inspiration from video games but compete in real life. Fun, right? Well, we ended up doing the IRL portion of the party with our family and did the video-gaming virtually with a supplemental FaceTime call so everyone could chat during the races. It worked out shockingly well, actually. The kids had a total blast and listening to their trash talk and small talk was about as adorable as you can imagine.
We also introduced the boys (and myself) to Pokemon Go today. It appears to be the exact melding of IRL and gaming. As you might imagine, the boys are obsessed already. I’m a little worried about what this will mean for all of our family walks in the future.
All in all, it was a really good day. Sad, but good. I think our soon-to-be eight-year-old is feeling all the love from afar. We’re all just doing the best we can…and that has to be enough right now.
Day 1872 | Pretend Play
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It makes sense that the most elaborate pretend play set up (with no less than 200 pieces, roughly) found a home in the kitchen—between the fridge, oven, and sink—right? I’ve been working on my flexibility and acrobatic moves trying to avoid disturbing all of the houses and meeting places.
This set up has kept them entertained and happy for 2.5 days, though. I’ll take it.
Day 1871 | Almost Eight
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This is what almost eight looks like…in case you’re wondering. I just love this nugget so much.
Day 1870 | Homemade Oreos
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I’ve been on a bit of a baking kick during our time in social isolation—and no one around here is complaining about it. Last week the boys and I decided on a new recipe: Homemade Oreos. They were AMAZING. I really love Oreos. Honestly, we all do in this house. The homemade version isn’t exactly the same (obviously), but, man, they do the job of filling that Oreo-shaped hole in my life (which seems to constantly need refilling).
Almost just as amazing…can you believe I had ALL of the ingredients on hand? Sometimes I really impress myself.
Recipe for Homemade Oreos
Day 1869 | Virtual Piano Lessons
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So this happened today. I set up a crazy apparatus as an iPad stand so the boys could participate in virtual piano lessons. Just another social isolation first to add to the list.
The lessons went well. The boys were good sports and their teacher is so talented and sweet. Another new normal.
Day 1868 | Stick Fire
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I spent a chunk of yesterday picking up sticks around our yard. That’s what you do when you’re quarantined, right? After a lovely (but slightly cold) bike ride this morning, we came home and started a backyard campfire to take care of some of the sticks. Also, there were s’mores.
I wouldn’t say this is a normal 11am-on-a-Saturday activity for us, but what’s “normal” anymore anyway?
Day 1867 | Springtime Stroll
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It got up to 60 degrees today and we busted out for a nice (and appropriately isolated) springtime stroll around the neighborhood. I’d say we were walking for about 30-40 minutes and the boys held hands the entire time (with no encouragement from me, mind you). It was incredibly adorable.
