Tuesday

It was a pretty quiet Tuesday.  Maggie took both of her babies on a walk with us.  She said they liked being outside. 

This fort, this mess...the first week of this, I tried really hard to keep the house tidy.  It was nice to semi control something in this crazy time.  However, today, about 2:30 I heard the girls laughing.  I walked in to check on them and found this.  Typically I would ask them to get it cleaned up before Daddy got home.  Instead today, I smiled, walked out, grabbed my book and sat on the front porch.  It was a win for everyone...they were happy and not arguing and I got to enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet. :-)

A fun afternoon!

Today we got to break free to a few hours.  Aunt Tomi Jean invited us over for a driveway visit.  The original plan was for the girls to ride their bikes while we visited from a distance.  Then Uncle Greg informed us that the pool was open for the 2020 season and would love to have a few swimmers. So the girls got swim suits and goggles and were happy as could be.  It was such a breath of fresh air, literally!  It was nice to see someone other than the regular 4 faces from our house.  It was hard not to give hugs and kisses but hopefully it won't be too long before we are back together.

When Uncle Greg mentioned the hot tub, Maggie thought it was the small, half circle pool attached to the big pool.  She had no idea it was a real hot tub.  She looked at Caroline and said "WHAT IS THIS????"  She was definitely living her best life!!

The azalea's are gorgeous!

Weekend Fun

I am SO thankful for weekends.   I feel like they are semi normal (with the fact of being at home without the option to run errands), they sort of reset us and prepare us for the week ahead. 

Made this delicious blueberry danish for breakfast on Saturday.

We went on a bear hunt in Mrs. B's neighborhood.  We found 17 bears.  The best part was that we got to have a road side visit with Mrs. B across the ditch in her front yard. 

UNO marathons

A social distance visit with Mrs. Charissa and Catherine...across the fence and at least 6 feet apart.

I found these bad boys on sale at Food Lion.  They take about 5 hours to slow cook.  Saturday was a great time to fix them because we were home.  They were SO GOOD!

Finally Friday

We are SO thankful it's Friday!!!  We are counting down the hours until Daddy is home for the weekend.  Caroline continues to do well with her school assignments.  Maggie struggles a little more in that she would much rather play than complete the assignments she has.  We have to look for fun and creative ways to make it work. Today she used a sword to match core words.  Whatever works right?  Caroline had 2 video chats after lunch.  The last one ended at 2:30.  School was finished for the week and Daddy would be home in less than an hour!  WOO HOO!  I let both girls grab their Kindle's and I hit the front porch with a big cup of ice cold water and my book.  It was heavenly. Although our plans consist of staying home, moving from the front yard to the back, we are thankful it's the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Thursday...why

Oh Thursday, why must you be so difficult??  Last Thursday was ROUGH, this Thursday was ROUGH!  Not sure why but these have been my most difficult days.  I think today was tough because I had things I HAD to take care of for work.  Technology wasn't my friend and caused me issues all day.  I didn't feel like I could fully concentrate on the girls because I was trying to take care of my things as well.  Finally we went for a LONG walk and worked to clean a drainage area for our neighbor.  It was good for all of us to get FRESH air!   

I finally decided to go with Plan B for my work issue.  I had Caroline record a live feed for FB for school.  She read one of her favorite books.  Wouldn't you know that once I closed the FB live feed, the item I had been working on ALL day decided to load!  SO now I had used 2 ideas on one day!  BLAH!  The girls stayed outside while I started working on dinner.  I looked over and found Charlie Brown sitting in the doll baby high chair looking at the window at the girls.  It was so sweet!!

I am thankful that once Andy got him, he was awesome at 'being in charge' while I took a moment to regroup.  These are interesting times that we don't understand.  I am thankful for my home, my family, my job and so many other things.  However, for someone who struggles/battles anxiety, I am constantly having to feed myself truth from THE WORD.  I am thankful for Jesus who is in control!  I just have to keep bringing myself back to his feet!

A good day!

 Today was a busy but good day!  We held a parade at school for our families.  The families came through our carline like normal.  The staff was 'stationed' throughout carline, very far apart so that we continued to follow social distancing rules.  We said it was a wave, smile and brief hello sort of parade.  They never actually stopped while going through the line.  It was wonderful to see so many of our families.  It was also very emotional.  These kids and their families are a large part of our life.  It's strange not being together...

At home, Caroline and I continue to work through 5th grade PE together.  It's been fun to have this time together.  Covid 19 says that I will be in shape by the time we go back to school on May 1, if then.

Caroline and I also completed our first puzzle Coronacation puzzle.  We were very pleased with ourselves!

Today while riding bikes, poors Mags wiped out.  She rolled a few times and I think was 'shocked' at what happened.  She was fine until she realized that she was bleeding.  We got it cleaned up and I told her that was considered a battle scar and it made her look extremely strong and brave. For some crazy reason, she began to call Andy Jonathan.  She said that Jonathan was her husband and I was their grandma.  It was funny to hear you refer to him as Jonathan. We're half way through this week and so very thankful!

Tuesday

 Today the 5K teacher in me came out of retirement.  I was so thankful that I kept these two baskets of file folder games.  They were extremely helpful today as I help Maggie with 5K lessons.  The difference between Caroline and Maggie...Caroline's assignments take 20-30 minutes per assignment.  Maggie's assignments take 2-3 minutes and it's time for the next one.  So I'm trying hard to be prepared with lesson plans for Maggie so that we can move from one thing to the next.

Caroline allowed Maggie to help her with her experiment. :0)

 The girls enjoyed making Oatmeal Play Clay using a recipe Mrs. B sent Maggie.

 This afternoon was extremely rainy and overcast.  However, after dinner the sun came out.  I spent some time outside reading on the front porch.  One of my teachers from school sent this to me and it was just what my heart needed!  I was so very thankful!  

Car wash!

This past weekend, the girls got a lesson on washing cars.  They helped me clean the van.  They did a really great job.  We only had one minor issue when Caroline thought she would use the tire brush to scrub the bird poop off my hood.  Quick lesson on why that wasn't a good idea.  Otherwise my van looks great, ready to sit in the drive way this week! :-)

Monday=NO SCHOOL

Today was a breath of fresh air!  Today was scheduled as a parent/teacher conference day, which meant NO eLearning!  Of course conferences weren't held but we still got to enjoy the day off!  We were so thankful for a chance to leave as 'normal' as possible.  We didn't go anywhere but it was nice just to be free from school work and enjoy the day. We made fun art with sidewalk chalk, went on a scavenger hunt before the rain and built an inside fort to enjoy during the rain!

A 'to do' list

I am the QUEEN of making a 'to do' list.  I love them!  They make me feel so organized and accomplished when I get to mark something off the list.  While cleaning this morning, I can across this list. From the looks of it, it was from the fall.  There are 16 things on that list and only 8 items are marked off.  I think back...I wonder if I lost this list and had to write another one, did these items get accomplished and I just didn't mark them off or did they never happen?  It's funny how things can seem so important and yet never get accomplished.  As we are quarantined at home, I have a to do list...ironically my list has 16 items on it as I type...wonder how many will actually get accomplished today???

A different kind of worship

Today was my day.   The day that realization hit.  It started this morning when we had church at home.  As we began to sing "Is He Worthy" I became overwhelmed with emotions and started bawling.  For the first time in my life, I was denied the right to go to an actual church service.  We've missed church for sickness or traveling, but I've never been told I couldn't worship with friends.  I realized just how much I take for granted.  I am thankful that during this time of uncertainty, our pastors, like so many others in our community and nation, are able to still encourage us through God's word.  It was really a sweet and special time.

This afternoon, Maggie's teacher called us and another friend through a video chat.  As her teacher read her a book, I began to weep...silent, little tears.  This is NOT how I saw this year going.  We adore her teacher, and Caroline's teachers, and in so many ways I feel that they are being robbed.  I know that they will be fine but my heart is sad.  I know that God is GOD of the universe and all things, but I'm just sad that this is happening now.  Sad for the friendships that they may not be able to say goodbye to properly.  Sad for my little school and the students and families there that we are missing time together.  When we left on Friday, March 13, we were prepared to come back.  We ended the day like any normal day and prepared to return on Monday...that didn't happen.  I sure hope we get the chance to be together again soon.

What I do know is that we have so much to be thankful for AND yet everyday we take SO much for granted!!  EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!  I pray that I will use this time to lean into the Lord and truly show gratitude for my daily gifts.

Oh Maggie

So while Caroline was eagerly working in my closet, I was helping Maggie straighten her room.  I gave a shirt to hang up.  She said "I'm sorry, I can't...I am allergic to difficulty!"  Then she proceeded to sneeze.  Bless it!

I said "Carry on kid, you will survive, hang up the shirt!" :-)

Caroline's Skills!

Last weekend, we were at some friends house for a birthday party.  Their dog jumped up on Caroline and ripped her leggings.  After we got home, she went in her room.  She came out with her leggings.  She was able to sew the hole up.

This morning I was helping Maggie work in her room.  Caroline was working in her room or so I thought.  However, I found her in my room.  She had taken everything out of my closet from the shelves and the floor.  She neatly sorted and folded every single piece of laundry...I was amazed and SO THANKFUL!!

Finally Friday

I am so thankful to say that today was a great day, a HUGE improvement from yesterday.  I think the fact that I created a lesson plan for Maggie helped.  I had things to keep her occupied while I helped Caroline.  We spent a large portion of the morning doing school on the back porch.  We ate breakfast and lunch outside as well.  I think the fresh air helped us all.  We had rain earlier in the week that helped with the pollen so we can enjou

Caroline had to complete a science experiment for school.  It involved sugar dissolve in water. 

Maggie spotted a centipede crossing the road on our bike ride. 

Caroline found a recipe online for pasta salad that she made us for lunch.  It was delicious!!  Thankfully we were able to scrounge up enough vegetables for the salad. 

Part of today's PE lesson

If day 4 had a face...

Today has been by far, the HARDEST day yet!!  If day 4 had a face, this would be it.  Both girls were struggling with attitudes.  Caroline woke up in a bad mood and Maggie stayed in a bad mood!  By noon we were ALL in timeout!  I was ready to wave my flag of surrender and call it a day.  I asked several friends to pray for us and I immediately felt those prayers.  I am thankful that the afternoon went better.  I am praying tomorrow is a better day!

Day 3

Day 3 was spent trying to tie up loose ends on my part at work.  Caroline isn't thrilled about eLearning as much as she was.  However, once she buckles down, she does great.  Maggie is trying to figure out her place while Caroline is working. 

Both girls checked out books while we are at school.  

Caroline is taking PE this semester.  Her PE eLearning activities have been NO JOKE!  Maybe after 2 1/2 weeks of this, I will be in shape!  The warm up was easy...we just had to toss socks into a basket underhanded.  The actual activity wore me out!

The girls created a "home" outside on the back porch.  They used the clock from Caroline's room and found a small fan to keep them cool.  It was sweet to watch.  These days haven't been easy but we really are trying to make the most of them.