As I am writing this post, our house is currently quarantined. My husband is the only one coming and going and that is for work (considered a necessary employee during this time) and for groceries and other errands as needed. COVID-19 has hit our country and flipped the lives of all we know upside down. Schools have closed, park playgrounds are closed, and people are asked to stay home.
Staying home wasn't a huge adjustment for our family. In fact, I feel the happiest with my children at home with me. And since we do preschool at home, adding kindergarten into the mix hasn't been too terrible either. The biggest challenge is staying off of the news and reminding ourselves that we are staying home for the greater good. My daughter has missed her classroom, teacher, and friends. She is in regular communication with most of them though and that seems to have helped.
Despite wanting to take a few weeks off for Spring break and to adjust to all this newness of life, Payton requested we dive right into school. So, that is just what we did.
We also went outside as often as the weather allowed. We have had the wildest month in terms of weather. We have had snow all the way over to 70+ degree weather. We have worn snow pants to t-shirts outside.
The kids sat on our road and watched the farmer's move their pivot.
What is better than swinging and eating homemade ice cream on a sunny day? This gave us the slightest taste of summer to come.
Riley lives in his Batman costume! I remember the days someone lived in her Cinderella dress. Time goes too fast.
One last date with Riley before the quarantine took place. We had no idea on this date of what was to come and how quickly our life would change.
The above 2 pictures were of one last trip to the park before we weren't allowed to play in the playgrounds, due to COVID-19.
We got a snow storm in March! We didn't think we'd get so much snow but took full advantage with snowball fights and making a snowman family.
Riley in my new hat my mother made for me.
And then the weather warmed up again and Riley was able to hunt worms!
While we have been stuck indoors, we have tried to take advantage of this time to focus as much as possible on home economics for our kids! We are teaching important life long skills and, most importantly, keeping this house running.
Payton learned to sew and made a few pillows. Her first pillow was a dinosaur pattern and she created it for Riley, who was so excited to be on the receiving end.
Look at those smiles!
She is currently in the process of making a body pillow for herself! All using the scraps I have lying around because we can't get out to get new fabric at this time. We are trying to stay creative.
All my kids have been completing their weekly chores without fail. It's amazing what happens when you shed all the busyness that life typically calls for. We have slowed down and are able to keep up with everything so much better than before.
All the kids have done their fair share of baking and cooking this month. We have made cookies, muffins, pretzels, breads, brownies, and pizzas galore this month!
Payton is currently super into JoJo Siwa and listens to her music any chance she gets. Most recently, she dresses as closely to her as she thinks she can get and asks me to fix her hair in the same side ponytail with a big bow.
Both Payton and Riley have been working on cards for the local hospital and nursing home. They sent them the sweetest package of 80+ handmade cards and gift cards to our local coffee shop. We are trying to encourage those working and support local businesses as much as we possibly can at this time. The restrictions to visit those places and trying not to get our own little family sick has kept us from a lot this month.
This is how Jayden spends part of his days now. He'll crawl into my bed and ask for a show and then go into full relaxation mode. It is just the sweetest. If I lay with him he will hold my hand and zone out. Never grow up Jayder buddy.
We did celebrate St. Patrick's Day! We just did so at home but we still wore green. The naughty leprechaun visited our house and put together a fun scavenger hunt. The kids had a blast!
I try to stay flexible as a parent. The kids asked for a picnic one day when the weather was not cooperating. So, we decided to picnic in our living room. Batman even came along! Flexibility has helped us greatly to not go too crazy during this time of being confined to our house!
And then the next day when they asked for a picnic again, we settled for a meal at our kid's table in the living room. It keeps life interesting.
To sum this up, I have my kids at home with me... right where they belong. It's exhausting in it's own never-ending work 24/7 kind of way but it's so full of love and life and peace and happiness.
Wherever life finds you during this wild time, I hope that you are well and safe.
