Quarantine

COVID-19 has taken over, and Kansas City is on orders to stay-at-home effective Tuesday until April 24th.  We've practiced this all week.  Bobby had to go to work, but the kids and I stayed home.  I went grocery shopping Sunday and again today, but that's been it.  We haven't eaten out, the kids are missing their friends and activities, and everything just seems so sad.

We're trying to make the best of it. I'm honestly loving all the time spent together as a family.  We've walked and played outside every day the weather has allowed (which has been a lot, thankfully), we've baked, worked on puzzles, watched some educational videos, watched some not so educational movies and TV, and kept up on chores and bedtimes.  We've waved and chatted (from a safe distance) to neighbors and friends.  We will continue to focus on the positive.

Prior to all this madness, Daniel's 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Brewer, invited him to a movie as a reward for his Summer learning last year.  We love her!

While Daniel was at a movie, we played board games with our game-loving Leslie

Leslie has an amazing knack for finding and putting together puzzle pieces!

Leslie drew a leprechaun for St. Patrick's Day

Daniel drew a warship because that's pretty much all he talks about these days.

Leslie is sure missing her BFF, Annie.  The two of them got to video chat today!

One of our favorite children's book authors, Mo Willems, is doing some educational videos.  He draws the Pigeon books, and taught the kids how to draw the Pigeon.  Hours later, Leslie came up and showed me this all from memory.  I was pretty blown away!

One of the best things to come out of this is how much Daniel and Leslie have played together.  They are besties right now.  They've also fed off of each other's energy, and the house has been a lot noisier than usual.  I'm a little exhausted, and knowing that school is out until at least April 24, and possibly the rest of the school year, is disheartening. Will Leslie have a preschool graduation?  Will the kids get to see their friends from school again?  Will Leslie have a dance recital?  Everything is just so unknown.

The school district is implementing digital learning, which will start on Tuesday for Daniel.  Kids were issued a Chromebook at the beginning of the year, so distance learning is possible in our school district.  Friday his teacher took some time away from her Spring Break to test out the video capabilities.  We are so lucky to have her and keep things moving in such a positive direction.  She knows him so well!  Here's a short video of the first couple of minutes.

Being a stay-at-home-mom means Bobby can go to work or work from home as allowed and not worry about care for the kids.  Not every family has this luxury, and my heart goes out to them as they navigate what seems to be the new "normal."

We put down new mulch thanks to Lowe's drive-thru pickup.  Life will continue on, and I'll always be thankful for the one constant in my life... my amazing husband!