One of the cookbooks I ordered as a Mother's Day present arrived early and we have been trying out all sorts of recipes (especially the desserts) and have been loving it. I've liked baking for years but as it turns out, I don't mind cooking when I'm not rushed and don't have a to-do list a mile long! Who knew? Even though we are having a lot of disappointments about activities being canceled I really enjoy not having places to be on a daily basis. Our most recent cancelation sadness: no in person school for the rest of the year (I feel sorriest for my middle children since they will be switching schools in the fall), no CU sports camps for my two oldest (and no BYU volleyball camp for Kate), no Girl Scout in person day camp or our troop camp out scheduled for a return to Twisted Pine or touring Backpacker's Pantry, and no Project Launch for my youngest (which she actually cheered about). Natalie likes having us all together and no where to be!
One of the Disney Parks favorites we tried at home: Monte Cristos. We also tried Dole Whips, a cake decorating kit my mom gave the girls and the family classic peanut butter blossoms. We have begun using our easel white board as an announcement board to help us keep track of the days and things like Dole Whip added to Taco Tuesday and distance learning meetings just makes the day seem better. We have also set an alarm on the phone and continue to howl for heroes at 8pm.
Long distance hug when we walked to the T. family's house to wish their momma a happy birthday.
So, what are we doing when we have no plans? Aside trying new recipes, we've put together more puzzles than the children have seen in their entire lives, lots of playing outside (including over a foot of perfect snow to build forts and go sledding in and to for Danny to practice throwing), a couple 3 miles long dog walks for prepare for our virtual Wizard Run, and probably too much time with neighbors (the wheels are starting to fall off social distancing in our neighborhood now that the weather is above 60* daily).
Michelle and I also did a bit of organizing with her attacking the mess that was the drawer we kept puppy items in for her chosen chore one day and I put the linen closet back in working order and got rid of a couple items we hadn’t used since the last time I went through our bedsheets and blankets. I can thank listening to the audiobook “The Year of Less” for the encouragement. Michelle did a fantastic job and I’m so grateful she was in the mood to do that one day. It’s so funny that the calendar is almost empty every day but the days still seem to go by without feeling like we got a lot done. But I have to think about all the things we did do together and wouldn’t have if the children were still in school and activities. I truly am enjoying this time to be with my children but there are certainly days that are better than others.
Restrictions began to lift the first week of May and are being called “Safer at Home” and the last time I went to Target it looked much more like normal. It felt so strange to drive the mini van clear down to Michelle’s orthodontist. Maisie ate her retainers a month ago and we were able to get her new ones the first week of May. While we waited for the retainers to be made after impressions were done we ate Smashburger in the van and had Menchie’s as a treat while we were there in the same parking lot. It’s the reason why Danny came along with us! Luckily he did because we were able to spend the next hour under a tree finishing reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child together. We loved it and really want to go see the play in San Francisco this summer but with the rate things are getting canceled we are trying not to get our hopes up. Danny and Michelle did convince me it was time to renew our Costco membership so we went there on the way home and got lots of great stuff, including socks. The oldest three are now convinced Puma socks are the best! Lol. Below is a picture of them doorbell ditching Michelle's best friends on the way to the orthodontist with May Day baskets and homemade cat toys.
The day after finishing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child these two 10-year-old Potterheads finished their Virtual Wizard Run 5K. I had to wuss out and use my mother’s bicycle from 1973 on her birthday because I tweaked my knee earlier in the week. It was great to surprise my mom with a present she wasn’t expecting for her 70th birthday and for the children to gift her their artwork and for Michelle to make her a May Day basket as well. Happy birthday, Mom! We love you!
We started Star Wars Day by watching the Force Awakens together as a family on May 2nd, The Last Jedi on May 3rd and The Rise of Skywalker on May 4th with the release of the movie to Disney+. BB-8 is still as lovable as ever! My children now have the goal to watch the Clone Wars cartoon — all 10 billion episodes. Why not? I swear that’s my motto lately. The photo of Michelle and Natalie is when they were playing Mandalorian. Danny was a Death Trooper but opted out of the photo.
As things opened up we soon found ourselves going to annual exams at the clinic for half of us, the puppies had their much needed grooming appointment and Natalie got her teeth cleaned almost two months after she was due to. It was hard to get places at a certain time again but that seems to be common place at the moment. Just out of the habit. Our pace has definitely slowed down and I don’t think that’s entirely bad. I look forward to trying to find a balance where we aren’t as busy as we were before but have more to do than we do now. It’s so surprising to me how quickly the days can go by simply doing distance learning, cooking and baking, and taking care of the children, dogs, rabbit and house. There is always something left on the to do list!
A big thank you to the Disney Company and Pottermore for extra fun things to do at home such as the House Points after listening to people like Daniel Radcliffe read Harry Potter. At one point during this pandemic it looked like my digital library app wasn't working anymore and I seriously wondered how I could still maintain sanity. lol. Also trying to remember what life was like before YouTube and Netflix. I am so grateful that if we have to have public places closed we can still have technology to teach us, entertain us and connect us.
P.S. I had to document the one time I wore pants to [at home] church. I have to laugh at myself for something like this being out of the box for me.
A big thank you to the Disney Company and Pottermore for extra fun things to do at home such as the House Points after listening to people like Daniel Radcliffe read Harry Potter. At one point during this pandemic it looked like my digital library app wasn't working anymore and I seriously wondered how I could still maintain sanity. lol. Also trying to remember what life was like before YouTube and Netflix. I am so grateful that if we have to have public places closed we can still have technology to teach us, entertain us and connect us.
P.S. I had to document the one time I wore pants to [at home] church. I have to laugh at myself for something like this being out of the box for me.
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