Quarantine Week 2

Well we just finished our second full week of being stuck in our house.  It's starting to get a little more difficult keeping everyone happy.  The kids are getting bored with our normal stuff so I've had to start getting a little more inventive.

Our school district has pickup locations for kids ages 1-18 to pickup lunches so we tried that for the first time this week!  It was fun to get out of the house for those 20 minutes and to have different types of food to try.

In a couple weeks Asher's teacher will start sending out homework on April 6th, so I think that will help him stay a little more motivated to do school things.  The first few days of our quarantine he was really good about doing the school tasks I gave him, but that died out pretty fast.  But having something from his teacher will help him be more motivated to do it!

My mom started doing something fun with all the grand-kids.  She started giving out challenges based on people in our family (both alive and deceased) to help us learn a little more about our ancestors!  The first one was about my mom!  Her challenge was that since she loves art and she loves animals, we all had to make an animal using some kind of art!  We did sidewalk chalk and it was pretty fun!  The second one was about my great-grandpa Ernie.  I didn't know pretty much anything about him so it was fun for me to learn too!  He used to work on trains as well as in an iron factory.  He also didn't have a car and had to walk everywhere.  So we had to make some kind of train (Asher did one out of lego's and the girls put together some tracks we have), use iron in some way (Asher lifted up our cast iron pan over his head to feel how heavy it was and then we made pancakes in it), and then we had to go on a walk (which it started snowing right after we started so it was a short walk).  Asher thinks doing these challenges are great!  He gets really into them and has fun seeing how many points we get for finishing them.  The third challenge was about Asher!  He asked my mom if he could come up with some challenges for everyone to do and I think he came up with good ones.  He said he wanted people to be like him and have one challenge where they had to do something brave and a challenge where they had to be kind.  I actually think those fit Asher pretty good.  A lot of things that other kids seem to have no problem with are a little difficult for Asher.  But he has come such a long way!  For the challenge, Asher wanted to ride his bike really fast (a strider bike - riding any kind of bike was terrifying for him but he really got the hang of riding the strider bike and does very well with it! We'll probably tackle riding a regular bike this summer.)  And on this bike ride we dropped off some cookie mix to his friend that lives in our neighborhood for the second challenge.  He has had a really hard time not being able to play with his friends or cousins.  I think he even misses school, although he says he doesn't.  He loves having lots of friends to play with and be around and he would tell me every day after school about all the fun he had with his new friends.  Having a challenge be about him really made his day and he loved seeing what his cousins did for the challenges!  The next one is about my grandma (their great-grandma).  Having all these is a great distraction and adds a little variety to our home stay.  And we get to learn a little genealogy!

We built a garden box!  It's been on the list of things to do since we moved into the house, but haven't had the time to do it.  Eventually we'll build a send one.  Now we just have to find somewhere we can get dirt to fill it.  David said he was going to build one this year, but I really didn't think it would happen before I would need to plant.  He was going to have school until the end of May and then go to Disneyland with the orchestra the first part of June, but now all that's cancelled so we had time to do it!

I'm not real sure about what else we did this week.  The days all seem to run together.  It's nice to be able to get projects done, but I will be very glad when we can go to a playground or spend time with extended family or when Asher can see his friends.  Here are some pictures of our week!

"Mom stop being annoying" Asher put this on my to-do list.  He told me that night I had done very well with it.  Hopefully we survive however much longer we have to be in quarantine. ;)

Mia sometimes falls asleep right by the door.  I'm glad we have hard floor so I can push her with the door to get in and put her to bed!

Our garden box!

Asher reading a book to Ava one day.

Building a train to be like Grandpa Ernie!

Trains

Trains

Putting the train together.

Mia's hair was so pretty and long, but got tangled so easily!  And she has such a sensitive head and would cry almost every time I tried to brush her hair.

I meant to take her in to get it cut, but then the world shut down and I didn't want to risk her getting sick.  I cut Asher's and David's hair, but I was a little unsure about cutting girls hair.  So I looked up some YouTube videos and....

Cut lots on length off!  It actually looks way better than I thought it was going to (I was expecting a disaster) and she is much happier now that her hair doesn't get as tangled. 

It's very cute and now it always flips out at the bottom!  Ava actually needs a haircut too, but her hair is way curlier and more uneven and I'm not sure I'm brave enough to handle that.  She may just have to wait until the world opens again. 

Eating pancakes we made in our cast iron pan!

So strong!

Drawing animals to be like Grandma Mitchell

Asher's t-rex

My elephant.  Asher helped me sign my name.

 

Asher's fish

Here are a bunch of videos from the past few months:

This is an accurate representation of our life.  Messy house, running in circles, and lots of giggles!

Ava singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"

Reading books

They love to dance to the princess songs!

This video is super crappy quality, but I thought it was so cute that they were singing and acting along with the show!  Also, they LOVE Frozen!  I have seen those movies so many times.  When I put a pigtail in Mia's hair she always calls it "Elsa hair" because Elsa usually has her hair pulled back.

Quarantine

Well, the world kind of exploded since my last post!  In January, there was news in China about a virus that was spreading very quickly and making a lot of people sick.  Because of my work with VIPKID, I actually heard a lot about exactly what was happening.  How a lot of people were stuck in their homes, many businesses were shut down, holiday celebrations were cancelled, school was put online, and  life was basically put on hold.  I will say, I honestly did not think it would affect the world like it has.  Then a couple weeks ago it started to get serious for everyone.  

I think my first experience with how it affected me was when our concert with the Idaho Falls Symphony got cancelled.  The CDC had recommended to cancel all large gatherings and our conductor was trying to comply with that. At the time I thought it was a little bit of an overreaction.  My sister was supposed to play a concerto with the symphony and was super disappointed about it.  There were no cases in Idaho and I thought it would've been fine if we were to have the concert.  But, by the end of the week many states had cancelled school, the first case in Idaho was confirmed, and we were basically in self-quarantine. It was also that weekend that stores started completely selling out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, diapers, wipes, formula, rice, bread, paper towels, and just about any other non-perishable item.  We haven't really needed any of that except for wipes.  Ava is potty trained, but I was planning on starting to potty train Mia that next week, so she was still in diapers.  I had to go to many different stores and all I could find were these tiny packages.  We have since managed to get a box.  I feel so terrible for all those mothers who have babies who absolutely need those things and can't find them!  I have (kind of) started to potty train Mia, mostly because I'm not sure I'm going to be able to find many more diapers.  And because I guess she's old enough (although that doesn't really bother me....I super hate potty training and will put it off as long as possible).

It won't take long to summarize how life has been because we pretty much do the same thing every day.  We are very lucky that David still gets his paycheck from school and I can still work with VIPKID.  David isn't teaching private lessons right now and the semester with BYU-I is almost over so we won't get that paycheck, but we're ok for now.  So every morning I teach on the computer before everyone wakes up.  I go back to bed afterwards for about an hour then the kids get up.  We watch some tv, eat breakfast, change our clothes, and then I usually have Asher do some kind of school stuff.  There are a few websites where he can do short lessons and educational games and read books and he really likes doing those.  I also got a workbook that we do a few pages on so he can work on handwriting while doing math and English.  Then we go on a walk or bike ride or just play in the yard.  Then we have lunch, maybe watch some more tv, eat lunch, play games, then I have the kids take a bath and get ready for bed.  

David doesn't go in to school, but he has been attending a lot of meetings online for the teachers so he knows how the district is planning on the rest of the year going.  They basically aren't planning on going back to school for the rest of the school year.  The last day is May 29, and that's going to be it no matter what.  David said the teachers can either give a Pass or Incomplete for this trimester, but they aren't going to Fail anyone.  There are so many more things that David has told me about how things are going to be run, but that might be for another time.  Starting April 6th, Asher's teacher will have some assignments he can do, but David said it doesn't matter if he does them or not. (Although I will make him do them because I don't want him to forget absolutely everything)

So that's us!  David and I have made a couple trips to the grocery store, but we never bring the kids and I always use hand sanitizer when I get home and try to avoid everyone at the store.  The kids are actually doing ok with things.  They have been a little more emotional lately, but really not as bad as I would've thought.  Life isn't easy but we're trying to be as positive as we can.  

I will be honest, having everyone home all the time has been hard on me.  I am definitely an introvert and I love my alone time.  And I don't really get that now.  The kids follow me wherever I go and David doesn't work so he's home all the time.  I really relish going on my walks at night with Millie and those times I run to the gas station to get pops (don't worry, I try not to touch anything in there).  I just need those few minutes alone to help me relax.  I am actually really jealous of the people that don't have a bunch of young kids at their house and are bored because I would love that! I miss doing puzzles and reading books and getting to eat a meal by myself all in one sitting.  But it's fine.  While Mia sits on the toilet I started crocheting and made Asher a hat!  I love crafty stuff so that actually really helped my mood.  And we've watched Frozen II (or new Anna-Elsa as Mia calls it) about 5,000 times which helps my girls moods.  And we bought a Nintendo Switch around Christmas (which normally I really try to limit how much Asher plays on it...but not so much right now...) so that's helped Asher's mood.  And David doesn't have to go to work and gets more sleep so that helps his mood!  So we all have things that we've found has helped.  And we're all hoping this ends soon.

This picture actually makes me a little sad.  This was the last picture I took when things were "normal".  We went out to dinner!  Asher said that's now his favorite place to eat and they have the best chocolate milk he's ever had in his life.  2 days later our IF Symphony concert got cancelled.

Asher has started sleeping with all these stuffed animals on his bed.  The girls were playing on our bed downstairs and Asher wanted to help them pretend play sleeping so he took all of them down!  Ava thought it was awesome.

I like these yay-hoots.

One of the things David has been doing to help keep the kids busy is to "help" Asher build a birdhouse!  Ok, Asher gets distracted very easily and really just likes to watch David build it, but it's something they're doing out of the house and together, so I'm not complaining!

One day while David and Asher were working on the birdhouse both girls fell asleep on the floor.

And it was quiet in the house and I enjoyed every single second. ;)

Asher was playing on the Switch.  Ava had a controller that wasn't working.  They played like this for like an hour and both of them had a lot of fun!

I went to sit on my bed  for a little quiet time, but the noise followed me.  Good thing the noise is so cute.

The hat I crocheted for Asher!  When I showed him he said "Cool!  Maybe we can add some decorations?"  I was thinking he'd say tassels or pom-poms or something, but when I asked him what he wanted he said "Like googly eyes!"  So I might order some googly eyes...

My dad used to always sleep on his bed with our dog snuggled under his arm.  So when I saw David sleeping like this I had to take a picture!

I Hope The Snow Melts Soon

Nothing really big has been going on for us, but I thought I'd do a quick update and share some funny things I want to remember!

It really is true that there is something fun with every age.  I know some people don't love the toddler stage, but I love it!  It's fun to watch the girls explore their world and learn how to express themselves and figure out their personalities.  Mia is very quiet and can be kind of grumpy, but then she'll get in these super silly moods where she giggles and laughs at everything!  I always tell her she's my favorite grumpy because things tend to set her off easily.  She loves to organize and loves lining up toys especially if they are in a group (like princess dolls, Paw Patrol dogs, dinosaurs).  She is my little buddy, though, and will follow me around from room to room and copy whatever I'm doing.  Definitely a Mama's girl.  She always plays so nicely and quietly that I'll sometimes forget she's in the house and find her in Asher's room playing with her babies.  Ava is always loud and crazy and outgoing!  Her new favorite phrase that she says to any new people she meets is "Hi!  Me Eva!" (she's still working on saying "Ava", but at least she's not calling herself "Abby" like she used to).   She also likes to make faces and stick her tongue out at David.  She loves clothes and one of the highlights of her day is when she gets to pick her outfit.  She also wants to do everything herself and gets super mad if I try to help her do something she thinks she can do herself.  She is basically potty trained (I'm still working up the nerve to tackle potty training Mia), but gets so mad if I suggest she go to the bathroom.  She will do it when she wants to and not one second sooner.  She is by far my most independent child which gets frustrating at times. 

Asher is also developing his own personality and it's amazing to watch it develop.  I always knew he was a much more sensitive child, but it's manifesting in different ways lately.  When we watch movies that have a sad part, he will get teary-eyed and very concerned.  Things like Baymax getting trapped in that weird universe (Big Hero 6), Bing-Bong sacrificing himself so Joy can get out of the pit (Inside Out), and Wall-E forgetting who Eve is (Wall-E).  I have to say, those moments do make me a little emotional too, so it isn't hard to figure out where he gets it from.  Asher also says so many things that take me off guard and make me laugh!  Here are some examples:

• "Mom, I think Ava likes me better than she likes you." He is probably right.  Asher always plays with her and chases her around the house and I do things like make her wear pants.
• "Mom, you get an A+!  That was the best meal ever!" What was this amazing lunch???  Ramen noodles.  He makes me feel really good about doing mediocre things.
• "Mom, I have such a good life!" -Me, thinking he's going to say something about my awesome parenting "Really?  Why is that?"  -"Because I get to spend all your money!" -(me feeling a little deflated...) "oh..." -"I get to have food and clothes and a house so I don't get dehydrated and hungry and cold!" -(me, feeling much better) "I'm so glad you think that!"

Those are just some of the things he says.  I wish I was better at writing more things down because he is so good at asking questions in a way that I have never thought of.  He's just a pretty great kid.

Now a bunch of pictures!

I wanted to take a side-by-side picture of Ava and Mia.  Mia did not want to cooperate, but I got this super cute one of Ava!

But this picture shows her personality a little bit more.

They love trying on my shoes.

This particular day was all about the boots!

After we come back home from walking Asher to the bus stop they like to hang out outside and play in the giant snow piles.  I monitor them from inside because I'm a wimp like that. 

Cutie Mia!

I love making cookies with my kids!  We usually make some 2-3 times a month.  But I super hate making sugar cookies because it takes forever and is so messy.  But this day I caved and we spent the entire afternoon making them.

These two are good friends.  Ava is always following Asher around and wants to be doing whatever he does.

He is losing teeth right and left!  He has lost another one since this picture was taken and has another loose one.

This girl LOVES her princesses!  She can name them all and is always playing with this princess castle she got for Christmas (thank you Joni!)  We took the kids to see Frozen II on a day off from school (which I thought Asher would complain about but he actually loved it) and Mia sat on either David's or my lap the entire time, quiet as could be completely enthralled!  She is very much a girly girl.

Twinning

We went to a trampoline park for my nephews birthday.  I wasn't too sure about it but my kids all loved it!

Asher's Primary teacher made each kid in their class a bow (after reading about how Nephi's bow broke in the wilderness).  I was very impressed with his teachers ingenuity! 

My kids all wake up much earlier than I would like.  One day we had done play-doh, painting, and a puzzle all before 7:30am.  At least they're cute.

Asher's super awesome cake!  He wouldn't let me put the play-doh away until I had taken a picture.

David fell asleep on the couch and Mia thought he needed some buddies.

They both love trying on Asher's Pikachu costume.

And it makes me laugh every time!

Mia is quite the thumb sucker.  She comes from a long line of thumb suckers.  I sucked my mom, as did my mom, as did her mom.  Honestly, I was kind of hoping I would get at least one thumb sucker. ;)

One Sunday when we were at my parents house for dinner, a few of the kids were asking my mom if they could borrow some of her stuffed animals.  She very graciously (because she wanted to get them out of her house) let them take some!  Asher came home with a bear taller than him.  We already had the grey and blue racoon at our house.  And now Asher goes to sleep every night like this.

Mia hates when I do her hair, but she actually let me style it a little bit and we made her some piggies!  I was adoring them all through church.

When I start taking a picture (of just about anything), Asher always wants me to take a picture of him.  I'm glad he does because then I get cute pictures like this!

If Mia falls asleep for even 5 minutes during the day, she takes forever to fall asleep at night.  I will usually find her like this after she takes 2 hours to finally get to sleep.  She always tries to bug Ava, but Ava is an amazing sleeper and it doesn't seem to bother her.

Mia was distracted by the faucet so I took the opportunity and French braided her hair!  She even left it in all day!