COVID-19 - Week 2 (Learning Hour & Home Haircuts)

We had a good, quiet second week of social distancing. Our only outing (made by Steve) was for groceries. The rest of our time was spent at home or out in the yard/neighbourhood.

In addition to our typical daily activities/chores/hobbies, we decided to implement "Learning Hour" to give the kids a bit of direction with learning. From 2:00-3:00pm every weekday, all of us choose three activities to practice/work on (20 minutes per activity). A typical schedule, which we decide on during lunch, looks like this:

Emily: reading, math workbook, drawing
Jessi: ping-pong, sewing, drawing
Daddy: ping-pong, math course, piano sight reading
Mommy: German reading, sewing, ukulele

It's been going well! There's a lot of flexibility with what activities we choose (the only rule is no screens). A kitchen timer helps us stay on track. This week Jessi practiced her button-sewing skills, and even learned how to make a button hole.

Improving her ping-pong skills

The girls were also scheduled for haircuts this week, but since the appointment was cancelled, we settled for good-ol'-fashioned home cuts. It will do for now!

Now Steve is asking for a haircut... If I'm feeling brave and we can get the proper tools, I might give it a try. Hopefully I'll do a better job than when I tried to cut his hair in 2007!

Kids: Can we make funny faces now?

Me: Yes. Yes you may.

"How do you feel about the Coronavirus?" 

SMILE!

COVID-19 - Week 1 (a.k.a. March Break)

What a week! The seriousness of the Corona Virus outbreak escalated quickly, making for a unique March Break. Last Thursday it was announced that schools would be closed for two more weeks following the break, then gatherings, sports and appointments were cancelled and non-essential businesses were closed.

We are doing our part by limiting our socializing and staying home as much as possible. This hasn't been too difficult for our homebody family.

Steve and I have kept up with our daily activities of exercise, musical instruments, learning (German for me, Math for Steve), ping pong, cooking, and chores. I've also been working on a sewing project, which I will surely blog about one of these days.

Our only outings this week were for groceries and one walk at Lemoine Point. We definitely enjoyed that fresh air!

The girls have kept busy with puzzles, games, books, piano, and lots of time outdoors. They've met some new neighbours (two sisters of similar ages), so the four of them have been seeing each other every day, playing mostly outdoors.

We are not sure what the next two weeks will look like, but we will do our best to stay safe and healthy.

37 and 7!

I woke up on Friday the 13th a 37 year old! It felt good to receive a birthday song, a sweet card, a small gift, and lots of messages from friends and family.

My healthy start to the day: plantain pancakes

(coated in chocolate sauce and coconut cream) 

An addition to our kettlebell collection 

My birthday also included all of my daily favourites: yoga, ukulele, duolingo, chocolate, and family time. Steve grilled us some steaks for dinner, then baked us some chocolate lava cakes!

Then on Saturday we celebrated again, including Lorelei's 7th. Some time outdoors, lots of chatting, and yummy foods -- fun for all!

Our tree climbers 

She's 7! 

Birthday buddies ♥ 

Tree climbing some more 

 

A Happy Birthday indeed!