Thursday, May 14, 2020

Fly on the Wall: Thursday

Our life, like everyone else's has changed quite significantly the past couple months.  Instead of running out and about from one thing to the next we are staying at home as we do the little part we can to shelter in place while the Covid-19 virus spreads around the world.  The last couple weeks in March when things were first canceled our calendars were completely empty.  Slowly many things switched to being done virtually and we adapted.  To compare to our life at the beginning of the school year (September when I last did a fly-on-the-wall post) I again  tracked what was going on on Thursday, May 8th at our house.   Here is a glimpse of our life:

The "ideal" plan that we made in March.  We don't always stick to exact times, but mostly follow the schedule.
Our empty calendar for the month.  

6:30-News Check In
We get a later start in the mornings these days. James and I are usually up a little after 6.  Ethan still gets up about 6:30.  Brielle and Preston like to laze in bed until closer to 8.
7:00-Heading out for a Walk
With the gym closed we don't get to alternate, but James and I go out for a walk every morning and enjoy the time to talk without kid interruptions.  James is still going to work 3 days a week and working from home the other days.
8:00-Morning Schedules
We get home from our walk about 7:45.  It's Ethan's day for making breakfast.  He is making pancakes.  He usually does waffles, eggs or pancakes of some form. On her mornings Brielle likes to make oatmeal, or she puts out granola and yogurt or cereal because she stayed in bed reading when she was supposed to be making breakfast.
I help Preston with the piano.  Brielle comes out to take care of dishwasher and clearing counters.
I then head in the backyard to spray down our new patio
And then pack up a treat James is taking to work for his monthly meeting with the AHTs.  He heads out at 8:30, driving instead of biking so he can take the cheesecake.
8:30-Breakfast
I review the plan for the day with the kids during breakfast.  Not much changes day to day.  It's just a discussion of which 2 mile loop we are doing for exercise time, what our project is and what everyone's jobs are for the day.
The kids love the rainbow behavior chart we made years ago that we've used in the summers.  They wanted to pull it back out during this extended home learning.  In theory it is great, but I forget to move their magnets up throughout the day, so I usually do a big jump at dinner time.
9:00-Exercise
We've been exploring every single street and cul de sac in our neighborhood.  We've come up with multiple 2 mile loops.  The kids like to scooter while I walk and listen to podcasts or books.  They get excited about the bumps and especially when someone has the sprinklers on.
We stop by a little library to return a book. We keep a bag of clorox wipes with us during our walks for this purpose.  We are lucky to have 3 close enough to choose from depending on which way we go.
9:45-Project Time
Today's project is to each clean out 2 drawers.  Sometimes our projects are drawing or science.  Sometimes it's getting caught up on schoolwork.  Usually its cleaning/organizing/yardwork.



10:30-School
We gather at the dining room table.  Brielle's classes are all computer based.  Ethan has stuff he prints out and also a lot on the computer.  I sit between Preston and Brielle to keep them on task and help during learning time in the morning.  Ethan is the most independent.  Brielle has 8 classes to keep track of and needs help getting organized





11:00-School
Kids still working on school.  I am working on my duolingo spanish lesson of the day.  Maybe 50 years from now I'll be able to speak a little bit of Spanish after 3 minutes of learning a day. :)
Preston's assignment was to make a mother's day card.  He wanted to print a picture of me to put on the front.  I convinced him to at least do one of us together so I didn't have a picture of myself on my card. I helped him find one he was happy with.
12:00-Prepping Lunch
I help Preston get lunch ready while Brielle and Ethan do their music practice.  Leftovers is almost always the menu.  Today is tomato soup, hummus, carrots and grapes.
12:30-Lunch Time
We sit and talk and then watch a Olaf at home clip.  My kids have been loving those. 
1:00-Special Time/Jobs
For his special time Preston chooses to learn the ukulele with me.
And then decides his hands are too small, so wants me to talk to him while he works on the perplexus.
Ethan takes out trash and cleans trash area, Brielle dusts all the blinds and then take turns having special time with me also.  
Preston was supposed to vacuum under the couch cushions for his job while I am doing special time with the big kids, but I come out to find that he has made himself a fort instead.  I let him hang out and read in there during quiet time.

2:00-Quiet Time
Everyone finds a spot to read.  I take care of some emails and phone calls and then start working on bills.

3:00-School/Legos
Brielle gets back to school.  The boys join a Lego Build-a-thon with cousins and Grandpa C.  I do a strength training workout in my room.

4:00-School
Preston has a google meet with his class.  Everyone takes turn sharing what they wrote about their mom's for their journal assignment.  His teacher has been great about keeping the kids engaged.  She reads them a chapter of Charlotte's Web each day, and has done singing time with them also.

4:30-Outside Time
I force kids outside at 4:30 everyday.  They can play, relax or work as long as it is outdoors.  
I get dinner started, making a salad to go with pork enchiladas for dinner.
5:15-Free Time
Free time is actually catch up on whatever you didn't do time.  Preston is finally getting the couches vacuumed.  Brielle is finishing up school work.  Ethan is done with everything and playing a game on his kindle.  I finish making dinner.


6:30-Dinner
James stopped at the store on his way home since he drove today and is doing all the shopping these days, so he is late to get home.
7:00-Relief Society Activity
We can't get together in person, but have a zoom activity. Margaret made and dropped off a treat to everyone that wanted one so we could eat and chat about our "Roses and Thorns" or what is going well and not so well.  James gets home and hangs with the kids while I'm involved in my activity.
9:00-Night Routines
Reading scriptures with Preston and getting everyone to bed.
9:30-Clean Up/Finish Up Daily Routines
I didn't keep up with pictures, but nothing too exciting.  Went over the budget review with James.  Did PTA Treasurer's report. Went through emails. Cleaned up Kitchen.
11:00-In Bed
Reviewing calendar (a lot of canceled things) and deciding what to read next.  Then to sleep to start the day again tomorrow.  Which will mostly be the same except James will work from home.

Monday, March 16, 2020

Ethan 11-year-old Interview and Stats

Ethan enjoys being part of the action, whatever the action is.  He loves to do service for others and will always go with James if someone needs help moving.  He is swift to get jobs done so he can have plenty of play time. Ethan made a goal this year to be kind to Preston and it has helped a lot.  They've always enjoyed playing together but now there is less screaming involved.  

Height: 62 inches (97%)
Weight: 100 lbs (88%)
Sleeping: 10 hours (8:30 pm-6:30 am) Up and out of bed as soon as he wakes up.  Likes to go read on the couch.
Hobbies: Enjoys sports, music, building with legos or anything else and helping with projects.  Loved playing basketball this winter and also taking guitar classes. Was just starting track and volleyball before spring sport seasons were cancelled.  

Ethan 11-year-old interview
What is your name? Ethan
When is your birthday? March 9th
How old are you? I'm 11
What is your favorite color?  Green and Blue
What is your favorite song? Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
What does Mom do? Mom stays at home and helps the kids with their homework.
What does Dad do? Dad goes to work and he's a veterinarian.
What do you want to do when you are a grown up? Be an engineer
Where do you want to live when you grow up? In California
If you had 1 million dollars, what would you do with it? I would pay my tithing, spend it on what we need, and put it in my college for my kids.
What is your favorite food? Salad and Pizza
What is your least favorite food? Mushrooms
What is your dream car? 2003 Grand Marquis :)
What is your favorite animal? Tiger
Where do we go to church? Duarte Ward
Why do we go to church? Because the prophet asked us to.
What is something you’re good at? Sports
What is your favorite movie? Call of the Wild
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate Chip Mint
Where would you like to travel? Australia
Where do you like to eat? Sushi Fire
Who is your favorite person? My brother
Who is your best friend? Isaac
What is your favorite book? All the books
What is your favorite thing to do? Play with Legos
What are you most excited to do this year as a 11-year-old? Go to broadway musicals.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Fly on the wall: Thursday

Last time I tracked and posted our daily life was 2 1/2 years ago!  I wish I would have done it last year as our schedules change so much with kid life and it is interesting for me to journal and remember what normal is like.

So, I tracked what was going on on Thursday, September 26th at our house.   Here is a glimpse of our life:

To Do List for the Day

6:00-Headed to Gym
With the change of James's schedule working at City of Hope, he and I get to exercise together in the mornings.  Last year we walked in the mornings together, this year we alternate going to the gym and running.

7:00-Leaving Gym
Brielle and Ethan both get up and start getting ready while we're at the gym.  Thursday is cereal day, so breakfast is already ready and James sits to eat with Brielle while I pack lunches.  
Brielle leaves at 7:30 and walks with friends to the middle school. 
Preston loves lunch box jokes.  I've done them for the other kids through the years and never gotten much reaction, but Preston comes home still laughing about how funny the jokes are.

8:00-Pick Up/Help Preston
Ethan is out the door at 7:55-he likes to be there right at 8 when the side gate is open and the balls are out to play before school starts.  James takes off on his bike around 8 for work also.  I am picking up and starting laundry while encouraging Preston to get up and ready for school.  I walk Preston to school about 8:20.
Preston emptying out the sand still stuck in his shoes from the previous day.


9:00-Mow Lawn
Thursdays I mow the lawn and do yard work.  I am listening to "The Library Book" while I work.

10:00-Talking to Neighbor
I'm still out finishing yard work.  My neighbor across the street was out also so we caught up about her son's wedding last weekend.  I then went in and got cleaned up and started some dinner prep.

11:00-Scripture Study
Sitting down to read scriptures and responding to text from missionaries about a lesson tonight.  I'm not available, so checking to see who else can go to the appointment with them.

12:00-Prepping for Piano Lessons
Looking for some halloween songs to have the boys start playing this month.  Then eat some leftovers (pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans) for lunch.

1:00-Vacuuming
Listening to a Pres. Nelson Talk while vacuuming the house.  At 1:30 I go to walk the boys home from school.  They can walk home together, but Ethan gets frustrated with Preston's slow speed coming up the hill, so I usually go get them so we have a smoother afternoon.  We found a nest in the tree on our way home.

2:00-Piano Lessons
Ethan is looking through a few of the halloween songs to decide which ones he wants to play.  Preston starts his homework.  We then switch and Ethan works on homework while Preston does his lesson.
3:00-Reading with Preston
Helping Preston with homework.  Ethan is excited to work on the backyard and is hauling mulch.

4:00-Special Time with Ethan/Folding Laundry
Ethan wasn't sure what he wanted to do with me for special time today.  He settled on watching a how it's made together while I folded laundry.  We learned interesting history about Ice Cream Sundaes possibly being created because soda wasn't allowed to be served on the Sabbath.

5:00-Picking up Brielle
We are listening to the book "Wishtree" in the car during our drive to pick up Brielle from conservatory.  Once we got home Brielle got started on homework and the boys played soccer while I took out trash.
6:00-Dinner
James gets home from work.  I run off to a meeting at the school while James and the kids eat dinner.  (Enchilada bake, El Torito Salad and Watermelon.)

7:00-SSC Meeting
Finishing School Site Council meeting at school.  James and Ethan are running out to pick up bolt cutters from a friend to cut off a lock (that I broke the key off inside) from side fence.
Once I got home I helped Preston with his scriptures.  He likes doing a Book of Mormon word search for his personal study.


8:00-Boys to Bed
Preston made a deal that if he hurried to get ready for bed I could read him 3 pages of Morris the Moose, which of course turned into more than 3 pages.  It is his favorite book lately and he reads it multiple times a day.

9:00-Helping Brielle with Math
James has a lot of work to get done tonight so I cleaned up the kitchen and am just finishing helping Brielle with her homework so she can get to bed.

10:00-In Bed Reading
James is finishing up looking over protocols.  I'm starting the book "Dracula" for next month's book group.