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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
We sit and talk and then watch a Olaf at home clip. My kids have been loving those.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reading scriptures with Preston and getting everyone to bed.
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.
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