Week 5
Another week!
Monday was technically our last day of spring break so I decided to take a day off from being a mom as much as possible. I told the kids before we jumped into distance learning that I needed a break from making sure they were doing all their stuff all of the time. So, they did not have to ask me about food or TV and could do pretty much whatever they wanted as long as it followed house rules, was safe and kind. They were pretty excited and so was I. Lily and Emma made a schedule and were really cute about it. I slept until 9:30 am, which was dreamy, and then got up and found them all eating breakfast (pop tarts) after having already watched two TV shows (normally not allowed until all their responsibilities are taken care of). Unfortunately, a crazy storm went by at that time and for the first time ever living in Maryland, we lost power. It was really unnerving and freaked the kids out at first but nobody lost it. It went on for three hours so that disrupted their plan a bit, but I played a game with them, we all read and they played with Legos for a bit.
Once the power came back on, TV watching commenced and they also stayed in their pajamas all day and not one of them chose to practice the piano. I did laundry, ironing while watching some princess movie with the girls, read my book, taught three piano lessons and made dinner. It was a productive day and not once did I have to decide if they had watched enough TV or if their lunch was well-balanced or if they had brushed their teeth and made their beds. It was relaxing and nice for one day to just be on my time schedule. We also had a fun family home evening that night.
Tuesday was the start of distance learning. I was kind of nervous about it but my kids are rock stars. Lily logged on and did an hour and a half and is totally self-motivated and self-sufficient. Curtis and I had to figure out his platform and it seems too easy for him, but hopefully will get harder and he won't get bored. I wish the STEM teachers could have done their own program somehow but it would probably be difficult so let's just hope this works. Emma needed the most time and attention but with our two chrome books and the desktop, they can all work at the same time and Brandon just played with our train tracks by Emma so that he wasn't alone either. I wasn't sure how long it would take but we decided that for the younger kids, an hour is good enough, maybe even only 45 min for Emma. Supplemented with lots of reading, outside play time for their PE logs, art class and piano practicing, it should be enough. Lily is right on track and even ahead on a few things and has spent about 75-90 minutes a day. Enough to keep them busy but not take over the day. It has kind of replaced their cleaning jobs, which I've still given them but they've been easier and less time-consuming. I also taught a few more piano lessons and called the sisters I minister to, making sure they were still okay and it was good to hear their voices.
Wednesday was a gloomy day outside and in my heart. It was pretty cold that day but Curtis and I rode our bikes over to the Dorns to pick up the masks Chelsea made for me and Josh since we can't go to the grocery store without one now. I love bike riding with him and have really enjoyed that time together. But when we got back I was freezing and so I immediately took a hot shower but I just didn't feel great the rest of the day. I was kind of light-headed and tired and just not up for much. Lily is such a sweetheart and really stepped in (without being asked) to help out Emma and Brandon with lunch and the other five billion things they ask me to do for them every day. I spent most of the day doing a puzzle. Josh brought home Wendy's and chicken nuggets and frosties made every one happy. Tuesday was such a nice, happy day where I felt in control of life and then Wednesday just kind of crashed. I am just kind of tired of it all and while I try to be grateful (seriously, so many blessings and I am grateful for them), it just feels like a weight is over the whole world and I would just like to feel light again and not so weighed down with worry or stress or concern or by wondering what the future will look like and what is going to happen and what isn't. It would be nice to be able to go to a park and see my friends and not stress every time I have to go to the store.
Thursday the kids did all their work, piano, cleaning, and even played a bit before we all went outside for PE play time. We went for a walk then did some bike riding and scooter riding and playing on the swing set. I even made Curtis run some laps around our yard. Then we did art class, which really was just me saying hey, how about you each do a chalk drawing? Lily doesn't like chalk so she didn't do it but the other three drew some fun pictures and it kept them outside enjoying the sunshine. I went grocery shopping that evening and wore my mask and didn't really see very many people. I got most everything we needed but it was funny to me some of the things that were unavailable. Still no flour but I couldn't find any vanilla ice cream, vinegar, tortillas, bread crumbs or syrup. Cake mixes were almost gone and the frozen food section was pretty empty. Luckily they have all the fruits and vegetables and cheese and yogurt that we need and that is mostly what I've been getting.
Friday I had an early appointment at the dermatologist to get a mole biopsied. I had gone in early March and set up this appointment thinking it would be after our trip. I thought about postponing but what if it is a problematic mole? It would stink to avoid the corona virus only to have skin cancer go unchecked. So I went but I forgot my mask in the other car and they were not very nice about it. So I ran back home, got it, went back, and then finally got it taken off. It is on my lower back so I have been a little sore there but it isn't a big deal. I was super anxious about it though; not quite sure why. I have given birth to four children so it seems like I should be able to handle a little poke in my back and a little scraping and sewing but I was having to do some deep breathing just to hold still and stay calm. The rest of the day I took it easy. I finished my puzzle, paid our bills,
Monday was technically our last day of spring break so I decided to take a day off from being a mom as much as possible. I told the kids before we jumped into distance learning that I needed a break from making sure they were doing all their stuff all of the time. So, they did not have to ask me about food or TV and could do pretty much whatever they wanted as long as it followed house rules, was safe and kind. They were pretty excited and so was I. Lily and Emma made a schedule and were really cute about it. I slept until 9:30 am, which was dreamy, and then got up and found them all eating breakfast (pop tarts) after having already watched two TV shows (normally not allowed until all their responsibilities are taken care of). Unfortunately, a crazy storm went by at that time and for the first time ever living in Maryland, we lost power. It was really unnerving and freaked the kids out at first but nobody lost it. It went on for three hours so that disrupted their plan a bit, but I played a game with them, we all read and they played with Legos for a bit.
Once the power came back on, TV watching commenced and they also stayed in their pajamas all day and not one of them chose to practice the piano. I did laundry, ironing while watching some princess movie with the girls, read my book, taught three piano lessons and made dinner. It was a productive day and not once did I have to decide if they had watched enough TV or if their lunch was well-balanced or if they had brushed their teeth and made their beds. It was relaxing and nice for one day to just be on my time schedule. We also had a fun family home evening that night.
Tuesday was the start of distance learning. I was kind of nervous about it but my kids are rock stars. Lily logged on and did an hour and a half and is totally self-motivated and self-sufficient. Curtis and I had to figure out his platform and it seems too easy for him, but hopefully will get harder and he won't get bored. I wish the STEM teachers could have done their own program somehow but it would probably be difficult so let's just hope this works. Emma needed the most time and attention but with our two chrome books and the desktop, they can all work at the same time and Brandon just played with our train tracks by Emma so that he wasn't alone either. I wasn't sure how long it would take but we decided that for the younger kids, an hour is good enough, maybe even only 45 min for Emma. Supplemented with lots of reading, outside play time for their PE logs, art class and piano practicing, it should be enough. Lily is right on track and even ahead on a few things and has spent about 75-90 minutes a day. Enough to keep them busy but not take over the day. It has kind of replaced their cleaning jobs, which I've still given them but they've been easier and less time-consuming. I also taught a few more piano lessons and called the sisters I minister to, making sure they were still okay and it was good to hear their voices.
Wednesday was a gloomy day outside and in my heart. It was pretty cold that day but Curtis and I rode our bikes over to the Dorns to pick up the masks Chelsea made for me and Josh since we can't go to the grocery store without one now. I love bike riding with him and have really enjoyed that time together. But when we got back I was freezing and so I immediately took a hot shower but I just didn't feel great the rest of the day. I was kind of light-headed and tired and just not up for much. Lily is such a sweetheart and really stepped in (without being asked) to help out Emma and Brandon with lunch and the other five billion things they ask me to do for them every day. I spent most of the day doing a puzzle. Josh brought home Wendy's and chicken nuggets and frosties made every one happy. Tuesday was such a nice, happy day where I felt in control of life and then Wednesday just kind of crashed. I am just kind of tired of it all and while I try to be grateful (seriously, so many blessings and I am grateful for them), it just feels like a weight is over the whole world and I would just like to feel light again and not so weighed down with worry or stress or concern or by wondering what the future will look like and what is going to happen and what isn't. It would be nice to be able to go to a park and see my friends and not stress every time I have to go to the store.
Thursday the kids did all their work, piano, cleaning, and even played a bit before we all went outside for PE play time. We went for a walk then did some bike riding and scooter riding and playing on the swing set. I even made Curtis run some laps around our yard. Then we did art class, which really was just me saying hey, how about you each do a chalk drawing? Lily doesn't like chalk so she didn't do it but the other three drew some fun pictures and it kept them outside enjoying the sunshine. I went grocery shopping that evening and wore my mask and didn't really see very many people. I got most everything we needed but it was funny to me some of the things that were unavailable. Still no flour but I couldn't find any vanilla ice cream, vinegar, tortillas, bread crumbs or syrup. Cake mixes were almost gone and the frozen food section was pretty empty. Luckily they have all the fruits and vegetables and cheese and yogurt that we need and that is mostly what I've been getting.
Friday I had an early appointment at the dermatologist to get a mole biopsied. I had gone in early March and set up this appointment thinking it would be after our trip. I thought about postponing but what if it is a problematic mole? It would stink to avoid the corona virus only to have skin cancer go unchecked. So I went but I forgot my mask in the other car and they were not very nice about it. So I ran back home, got it, went back, and then finally got it taken off. It is on my lower back so I have been a little sore there but it isn't a big deal. I was super anxious about it though; not quite sure why. I have given birth to four children so it seems like I should be able to handle a little poke in my back and a little scraping and sewing but I was having to do some deep breathing just to hold still and stay calm. The rest of the day I took it easy. I finished my puzzle, paid our bills,
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