These days, you guys. These days. ((sigh)) As a family of five, we have chosen to self-isolate. My children’s father is asthmatic, so a higher risk, and we are taking this seriously. (The way we see it…there is no harm spending a few weeks of our lives living on the safe side. There IS harm in not playing it safe, and, potentially contracting the Corona virus, or passing it on to loved ones. We would be idiots for not listening to the rest of the world.) Right now though, I am in this bizarre spot where I feel like my life hasn’t changed at all–but has also changed completely. I am introverted, and I stay at home to raise my children–but, I have never been ‘forced’ to stay inside. We are used to play dates (aka: time with my friends 😉 ), and enjoying museums, indoor play places, game nights with family/friends, church, the zoo, nature centers, meals with grandparents, and even stores. (Sometimes, during the day, we just go shopping. Target, and Cub, are our favorite places to go–the free cookies are a huge perk for the kiddos. 🙂 ) Right now though–everything is being done within these four walls. Everything. My partner, and I, are both working 100% from home now. (I used to go into work on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings–and then work the rest of the time at home.) My kids are on their ‘Corona-cation’ right now–but, we are all prepping for the very real possibility that school will be online, at home, for the rest of the year. This means that my job as both a SAHM/WAHM, has/will become so much bigger, and so much more isolated. I’m up for this, as I usually feel like I belong in about the year 1930 anyway–but, it’s still a bit intimidating to think about.

Anyway, on social media lately, I have found myself so, incredibly, thankful for all of the friends, parents, teachers, homeschoolers, grandparents, retiree’s, and businesses who have been sharing things with me. They’ve been sharing links of zoo webcams, links to museum and national park tours, ideas for scavenger hunts, wildlife webcams, classes to take, different places to learn online, links to authors reading their own books (that we already LOVE), ideas for games to play…and SO many more things to see/explore/do. I am beyond thankful for all of the resources, and for how they inspire me to prep, and plan, the learning!

This past week, I have worked to loosely connect with the natural rhythm going on in the house–and then turn it into more of a ‘scheduled’ rhythm for the future. We wake up, we play, we have breakfast and screen time (my workout time), we play and learn, we have lunch, we go to rest time/movie or video game time (my work time), we play and learn, we have dinner all together, we have more play time, and then we move towards the bed time routine and then bed time (and then more work time for me). It works well, and we flow beautifully like that. Yes, it was ‘technically’ Spring Break–but, with all of our plans being cancelled, and us being ‘stuck’ at home for the foreseeable future, I figured it was a great time to feel the new routine out. My little ones fall into perfectly–as I pretty much just follow them anyway. My teen though, she is just a wreck mostly–her rhythm will come when she has a plan with school. She is very type-A, she is National Honor Society, she is motivated, and strong, and craves routine. As hard as I try to motivate her to do something, anything…she is much more inclined to hover, and wait to hear how her old normal will become her new normal. I respect that fully–and I love just getting to hang out and chat with her right now. ❤ Her rhythm is her own thing now, I suppose–I’m just here to support it these days.

Anyway, here are some photos from what we’ve been up to this week. (There are descriptions in the caption of each image.) I’m so far from perfect, and things are never ‘easy’…but, I have a sense of humor, and I don’t get obsessed with what the ‘ideal’ parent says is the ‘right’ way to do it all–I just follow my own flow, and the kids’ flow, and things always seem to work out. (Also, I have faith. I have SO much faith that things will work out…that helps a lot. ❤ ) I do have to say I am beyond excited for nicer weather–being outside, in the yard, is a glorious thing right now. ❤ (And, honestly…kicking them outside, so I can enjoy a few minutes of quiet thought time, is the best thing ever. We have a fenced in yard. They’re fiiiiiine…) 

He made me dinner with whatever he could find. It was so sweet.

My plants I saved from church. I am so used to watering them every week–but, now there is no church, or youth group. The boys and I went to get them–and I had a MUCH needed conversation with another adult, my Pastor, my friend. ❤

Three, of the five, dinners this week have been paired with a movie. (We NEEDED to have some fun…) We watched Frozen 2, The Goonies and the new Addams Family. This was as we were prepping for our ‘fun’ Friday dinner. (It was mostly popcorn…)

The first bike ride of the year for us. It was so fun to say hi to everyone else out too!

The older, teaching the younger, how to meditate. I have no idea how he learned but I didn’t question it. i just observed.

A new game…spin the globe, point a finger, search on Google Earth. It was so fun! The day before this we explored the jungle with Bear Gryllis–so, this felt fitting. 🙂

Month two of a new workout routine. I’m so thankful I work out with online videos. 🙂

A morning with Blippi, and Olaf. This is how we start most days…on the couch, relaxing–all while I prep what we’ll be doing next. ❤

Mud kitchen, and sand table play–the first of the year. We were out cleaning up the dog poop…and it turned into hours of play.

Rainbows in the window brighten everything up a little. We did these on day one of break. We played a hide-and-seek game with them, then we hung them!

I woke up so tired, and feeling burnt out from the rough day before–SO, the little ones got 30 extra minutes of morning screen time so I could enjoy a hot cup of coffee, and puzzle time. Alone.

We’re all working on this thing…even as I watch the morning news.

Outside. Thank you, Lord. We are so excited for nicer days. This weekend, we plan to chalk up the driveway for people passing by…just to say hi, and remind them we’re all in this together.

More puzzle. The ‘puzzle table’ is in the middle of the house–it’s a great way to connect, while also being busy.

Playdough day–slime day was the next day, Orbees followed that.

Science? Or, just a mess? The world may never know. I do not recommend crushing Orbees. It sucks to clean up. It was fun while it lasted, at least!

Day one of break, and the puzzle. 1,000 pieces of sheer fun. (And, a teen who just wants to be out with friends, and back at school, and doing anything but that damn puzzle.)