It's Amazing

For Earth Day last week, C's teacher drove to all the houses and left each student a surprise. They each got a cup, a baggie of dirt, and some sunflower seeds. We planted them just about an hour after he got them.

Yesterday, I took this picture to show my parents the progress his little seeds had made. I was super impressed!

4 out of 5 seeds had sprouted! One was even pretty big. They had a class zoom call yesterday afternoon and for the first time, everyone was there! How wonderfully exciting for first graders. 

But then this morning, God has shown me in a literal way how every day brings new choices, miracles, and wonder. 

That little sprout in the middle had barely skimmed the surface of the dirt 24 hours ago. And look at it now!

Sadly, today is cold and dreary. I actually don't mind a rainy day, I just wish it was warm rain. But, the promise remains true: tomorrow is another day. Plus it makes it the perfect day to make a lasagna for dinner, which as it happens is exactly what we were planning to have! 

We also did some of the Disney Animator drawing videos today for art. 

They really enjoyed it. I don't know that the resulting artwork looks a thing like Lightning McQueen, Mickey or Rapunzel but who cares? Not us!!

Have a wonderful day. And if you just can't summon up the energy to do that, remember that tomorrow will come.

Wins from the Weekend!

In an amazing twist of fate, both kids got a new clothing item on the same day. C got this "Samantha?" shirt. (From Frozen 2, and if you don't know what I am talking about you don't have a little boy at home who's seen that movie.) M got some new athletic shorts. She put on her Olaf shirt to match her brother.

Saturday was the perfect date as you may already know: 

And that remained true. I got new tires in December. My driver's side rear tire had an unrepairable leak by the air valve and it was time Well about a month ago, at the very early stages of staying home, my low tire pressure light came on. And no big deal I went and got them filled up. 

But the man told me that my driver's side rear tire was significantly lower than the other tires. And if it happened again I should bring it in to have it looked at. Well on Thursday the light came on. Boo. We have barely driven obviously so that must be a slow leak of some sort. 

Oddly, my Explorer also had issues with the rear driver's side tire. Apparently, it's just that tire that causes me great stress no matter which set of tires. 

Luckily it was able to be repaired under warranty on Saturday and I got to walk around Costco while they got it fixed. I went in for croissants and laundry detergent and walked out with a lot more. But I feel like I actually showed a lot of self-restraint. Everything I picked out is stuff we will actually use! 

Yesterday brought glorious weather. So lots of time was spent playing outside.  And that is good for the soul. 

Friday Already?

I cannot believe it's Friday.

This week has been impossibly long but surprisingly not a whole lot happened. Such is the life of staying home right?

I became unbelievably invested in the house sparrows that live in my neighbors eve. That's Henrietta. Her bird husband's name is Clarence. I love them. We can see them from my kitchen table so I just spend my days watching them build their nest.

We've played a lot of Catan Junior. I love Catan and this is the best substitute. Our kids aren't quite strategic enough to play adult Catan and you need three players so Junior will have to do. Spending some one on one time with each kid for the 2 player version is good. So is playing as a family. 

Tuesday was the Queen's birthday so I threw a little tea party. But instead of tea, we had hot chocolate. And my tea party food was sourced from my pantry and not at all authentic. But they liked it anyway. 

Wednesday we went to a birthday parade for M's friend who turned 5! It was so wonderful. I am 99% sure the moms loved seeing all the kids and moms as well. (We got to go around a cul-de-sac so we really could wave to our grown-up friends and still social distance.) My heart was so so full.

Then we came home and M made her own birthday parade with her Barbies. They even decorated the cars/tractor/scooter/train/carriage. (The Barbie birthday girl is sitting by the table leg.)

I found this meme and yep. This is my life. My kids are SO loud. Even when they're happy. 

Yesterday was Husband's birthday. I threw him an obscure theme party that was easy and staying home friendly. And because I had loads of time to online shop he probably got more presents than normal. That's fine with me. I enjoy celebrating him!!

This morning M had another class zoom. I loved every second and I even took notes of the cute things they said.

This afternoon we will be saying goodbye to our friends. They will come over and we will stand social distancing length apart in the yard. We learned they were moving to Texas at the end of February, or right before the world shut down. They had always planned to stick out the school year while their dad went ahead for work at the beginning of April. But now there's no reason to stay. 

My heart is so heavy that they're leaving in the midst of a pandemic where I can't hug them goodbye and we weren't able to do "one last" anything. But thems the breaks. It's a heartbreaking ending to our chapter with them as local friends.  

And that's that. I hope you're all well! 

A Dessert Worth Waiting For

Once upon a time, in January, I went to see Kinky Boots with Husband at our local dinner theatre. Typically when I go to shows there, I get the chocolate cheesecake for dessert. It’s delicious and a fun treat. But the “dessert of the show” was red velvet cake. Which I also enjoy. So I ordered that instead. It was disappointing. The frosting tasted like an old fridge and it didn't have a very red velvety flavor at all. I spent the entire second act wishing I had just gotten the chocolate cheesecake.

I spent months lusting after chocolate cheesecake. Never actually doing anything about it. Though we did price out buying those exact cheesecakes from Husband's work. (A restaurant food supplier.) They are expensive as heck!

Enter staying home and having nothing else to do. Two weeks ago I made my first basic cheesecake since I had never made a cheesecake before. It turned out okay.

Yesterday I took the lessons I learned from that experience and I made a chocolate cheesecake. After its sleepover in the refrigerator to set or do whatever magic takes place in the fridge, we got to enjoy it today. (In full disclosure, I may have had cheesecake for breakfast. But I have been waiting since January and these are weird times.) Months of longing for a dessert did not disappoint.

And because we have nothing else to do, we also made whipped cream and took a fancy picture of said dessert. On my grandmother's cake stand because these days call for pretty cake stands. I think it's a rule actually.

I am very happy with how it turned out. No pictures of the top because my ganache didn't look as pretty as I wanted it to. But the good news is that I have learned even more lessons this time around and so the next time I really want to have chocolate cheesecake I can make it happen.

We even took a piece to a friend, leaving a slice on her front porch. Because why not spread the joy?

The What's Up With Us Post

Late to the blog today.

We officially will not be returning to school this year. I have a lot of grief about that. This year has been such a redeeming year for C. I will be forever grateful to his teacher and I only wish she could guide him in-person for longer. But we were so lucky to have her.

Today would have been M's spring program. I am sad she doesn't get a triumphant end to her preschool years. 

BUT, we will prevail. It's all going to be okay. It really really is.

I have a chocolate cheesecake in the oven as I type, which means tomorrow there will be dessert.

Here's a smile maker for you:

And a little homeschool update for you as well:

M had her first class zoom. Preschool zoom is as hilarious as you would expect. I loved every single second.

One of the three musketeers moved to a new house this week. (Still in town.) And today we got a text message of her room. Then one kid starting singing the "Sewing my socks" song. They made it up together the three of them. So M made it part of her work today. 

That's the three of them sewing their socks. And singing too obviously. 

Last night I had my own zoom with my small group friends. They were my last friend outing in public and my cup was just as filled by talking to them on zoom. 

In other good news, it's Friday. So it's Family Movie Night and I am excited about that. Life is good. Different. But good.

Wacky Wednesday

Oh, Spring. How you like to goof around.

It's just a little and it will be melted by today. But still. That's a solid April snow. Which, if you recall we had a pretty significant October snow and we did trick-or-treating in it. So, that's 7 consecutive months with measurable snow. 

Summer is going to be a nice little respite! 

Another fun wacky part of our day was C's teacher came for a social distancing book exchange. He had to leave his books outside on the step and then she showed him books through the window for him to borrow. 

It was VERY exciting! Plus now he has some new books to read. Our governor is going to decide about the rest of the school year sometime in the next two days. I am praying for her and all decision-makers. It cannot be an easy job, it's certainly a thankless one, and I am very thankful that I am not in a position to be the one to decide. 

Have a wonderful Wacky Wednesday!

Easter 2020

I think it's safe to say the Easter 2020 is going to be memorable for most of us right? Because of how simple it was. Because of how different it was. But it also somehow meant more too.

It was a little like the first Easter. Everyone was on their own. But they still believed.

Holy Thursday Mass was nice. The kids loved ringing the bells during the Gloria. I did cry.

Anyway, Good Friday we were screen-free as a sacrifice to Jesus. Besides Mass of course. I had always wanted to make hot cross buns for Good Friday and it's never happened.

But this year felt different, a good time to start a new tradition. Husband is the bread man in our house. I love baking, but bread stresses me out. But when I went to look at his dough I noticed it was definitely NOT rising properly. Friday was cold and our house wasn't warm enough to get the job done.

So I started the dough over. We are blessed to have plenty of flour and yeast at our house. The second batch turned out great. And I figured out how to create a proofing drawer in our house. You just boil a pot of water and put in your oven on the lowest rack. The heat from the water and the moisture from the steam creates the perfect environment for a good rise!

Saturday morning, we had Husband's Grandma's 88th birthday party on zoom. 

She was delighted that 51 people could come to her birthday! 

Saturday, we also made our traditional bunny butt cookies and dyed eggs. I usually use refrigerated sugar cookie dough because it is easy. But this year I had to make my own slice and bake dough. It was super easy. Husband liked them even more than the store-bought. (I don't love them as much but they aren't bad.) 

After a belated family movie night watching Trolls World Tour (WE LOVED IT) and with a tray of cookies and a carrot for the Easter Bunny set out, the kids went to sleep. Husband and I did Easter Vigil as best we could. 

Look at our great fire. LOL. We did light our own candles when it was time. Tea lights because that's what we had. I wasn't able to get beeswax. I don't think it matters when you're at your house anyway.

Easter morning was a success. The bunny sent the kids on a scavenger hunt for their baskets. It was well received! 

We did get dressed up. Mostly because I wanted us to. Thanks to a ladder, our dinosaur cellphone holder and believe it or not, a fallen piece of tree bark we got a semi-decent picture, while our neighbor sat in his yard and watched us. 

A few weeks ago we got a food network magazine with a spread about pound cakes. C decided that we should make the chocolate one and so we did for our Easter dessert. He really enjoyed helping make it, and licking the beater too obvious. 

He was very happy that it looked "just like the picture in the magazine." It was pretty good. I probably should have taken it out just a few minutes earlier. The kids didn't mind. 

Husband used my new proofing drawer technique for the dinner rolls and he was VERY happy with how they turned out. They are very yummy. 

So all in all. Successful. Normal traditions. Some new ones. A good weekend we will remember fondly, even without leaving our house. Happy Easter! He is Risen!! 

Hanging In There

It's all same old, same old here from the house. It's weird, every day seems much the same but that's okay.

Here are some scenes from the past few days. During M's post-shower hair care time, Husband reads her a story. The other day it was the great modern tragedy of "The Berenstain Bears Go Out to Eat."

After two beautiful days in the 70s we had a massive storm front come through, hailing and all. Now it is going to hang out in the 40s for a while. But the daffodils still bloomed and look lovely. So there's that. And the hostas are beginning to show up!

I honestly don't know what this says about me, but yesterday I looked out the window at my neighbor's deck and with a trick of the eye I thought they had Red M&M standing out there.

Yep. But seriously, it kind of looked like he was facing sideways and you can see his eye and the top of his M. And my neighbor's grill remains in the same spot even now. So now I can't help but think it's a giant M&M guy. Very much like that Christmas commercial. "Ah! They do exist!" 

We've wrapped up school work until after Easter. Today C had to watch some stories read from space. 

M got to listen to a story read to her by her teacher. She smiled so big! She really misses school. 

And here we are at Thursday. Holy Thursday. What's the over-under on my bursting into tears during the Gloria tonight? I would say about 100% since I have never not cried at the Holy Thursday Gloria with the bells and everything.

I know there are people who are trying to find underground Masses. And I know there are people who think this entire thing is ridiculous. I am of the thought that no true Catholic wants to be without the sacraments. But how on Earth could priests and bishops choose who could partake in the small groups recommended? Shutting it down for the time being is the right choice so no one is playing favorites.

We will get back to Mass. And it is going to be even more amazing than before. 

The Weekend

I saw a meme that said that Friday has really lost it's razzle-dazzle these days. It wasn't wrong. When every day kind of feels like every other.

Friday night's Family Movie night was quite successful. And we loved Onward. I am not usually a huge Pixar gal. (I know. But Wall-E was just so awful that I never really got past it.) But I really really enjoyed Onward!!

Saturday started off okay. I had ordered these "Paint Your Own Easter Egg Cookies" from my friend who owns a home-based cookie business. She had porch pickup and it was really great. She included the food safe paint brushes and the watercolor food coloring palettes.

It was a fun little surprise activity for the kids and then we had cookies as well! That was the highlight of Saturday. 

In full disclosure and in the interest of keeping it real, the wheels fell off the wagon Saturday afternoon/evening and none of us were our best selves. At all. The kids were screaming and crying. Husband and I were out of patience. And none of us were sad when it was bedtime. 

It all stemmed from having the kids clean their rooms. I know, worst parents ever. 

Sunday started off unfortunately much the same. We did watch Palm Sunday Mass but man, it did not go well. How lucky for those of you who got palms. Our bishop banned blessed palms. We are still one of the states without a shelter in place order. So our diocese is doing its part to keep us home. Even to pick up palms. Boo. 

But we all had a come to Jesus talk and we snapped out of our moods and had a good day. The sunshine certainly didn't hurt!! 

We went to the light show again last night. The songs for week 2 were Let It Go and a Star Wars Medley so my kids were big fans. 

And now we are attacking Monday with gusto! It's going to be a good day darn it! (Even if we do have thunderstorms!)

Yay!

Well, we made it to another Friday! Go us!

We have officially extended our time out of school until April 30. Which was expected on my end. The only downside of this is that our teacher cut back on the work she expects the kids to do and we are definitely not to work ahead.

I am SO sympathetic to the big families or families with two working parents because I could see how the school work for younger grades could be overwhelming. This week however with so much less to do our days have a lot more downtime. So we will need to figure out how to best schedule our day so that the kids are still learning what they need to.

I will have to come up with some sneaky school stuff. That is school work that doesn't appear to be school work, so it's not working ahead but still challenging their minds.

The best part of this time home has been getting mail! The added benefit of writing all your friends and relatives is that they write back! I was apparently Nostradamus when I started the writing letters thing on March 18 because this week, C got a letter from his teacher with a homework assignment to learn how to write a friendly letter.

For the most part, we are pretty blessed. Does the house feel especially small sometimes? Yes. Poor Husband spends the bulk of his life right now in our bedroom. Between sleep and work, he doesn't have a ton of time not in there.

I admittedly did order myself a new pair of yoga pants. My old ones are ratty and if we are going to be home until April 30 I want some comfortable but not dumpy pants.

This meme truly made me laugh so so much! Palm Sunday is going to be weird of course. No palms. No in-person Mass. But Holy Week is going to come anyway and we are going to make the best of it no matter what.

We all have our ups and downs of course. You should hear my kids whining and complaining right now about cleaning the playroom. But it's all par for the course I think and we will be okay. Tonight we will watch Onward on Disney+. I am very thankful Disney decided to release it for all of us. We had planned to see it on spring break with our friends for a special outing but that didn't happen obviously. We are all looking forward to that.

Have a great weekend!

Things That Are Good

 There have been many things that are good in this time of staying home. I can't really call it a quarantine since to my knowledge we haven't been exposed. It's also not a lockdown since our governor "can't lock down the state." But whatever this is called, there has been plenty of things that are keeping us smiling!

Like games. We are a board game family anyway so this has been a nice time to play with each other extra. M and I had quite the Guess Who? battle. She's quite good at it.

Husband and I also have been playing games in the evening after the kids go to sleep. Keeping our brains sharp and our communication solid. It's quite easy to not talk a lot if you're watching a show. 

Twinning with my girl, mostly an unplanned event. I braided her hair at night after her shower since we didn't have time to dry it. I then opted to do the same for mine because I was tired. 

I was wearing my VBS shirt all day. M changed into hers for her walk with Husband. But nevertheless, for about an hour, we twinned. There's a VERY small window where she will think this is fun so I am just going to embrace it. 

My parents sent the kids spreaders. My dad swears by using a spreader over a knife for peanut butter. And admittedly, when the kids make PB&J they do tend to hack the bread up a bit. So it's a handy little tool that makes the day to day stuff more exciting. 

This kid got to do his Spanish video lesson. And then found his favorite video from kindergarten Spanish. He laughed and laughed and watched it several times. I took a quick picture and texted it to his teacher. She remembered how much he loved it well!

Our daffodils have bloomed. March came in with one day like a lamb. Then a lot of gross with one nice day sprinkled in here and there. And it went out, cold but sunny? Is that lion-y or lamb-y? It's still lovely to have a sure sign of Spring!

We have been keeping busy with all sorts of extra activities including Perler beads. There's something so satisfying melting plastic beads with an iron into fun shapes. Plus it feels very zen as you are creating. 

I made my first ever cheesecake yesterday. We haven't tried it yet but it looks okay. It didn't crack at least. There are some brown dots on the top but I can live with that. I will try and do better next time. And I guess we will see if it taste good later.

Yesterday C also had his first zoom with his class. They aren't doing anything educational in their meetings. Just 20 minutes of being social with each other. I was kicked out of the area as Husband supervised. Apparently, there was chaos, and then order as the teacher called on each kid to share, and then more chaos. But I think they all adored having that little bit of face to face time with each other.

And so it's another day. It's April Fool's Day but since it feels just exactly the same as yesterday no tricks are needed. Have a great Wednesday everyone!