Halloween

This year we decided that we could safely trick-or-treat with masks and candy quarantine. I bought candy early in the week and that’s what we all feasted on when we got home (the gathered candy is still in lockdown for 5 days). We carved our pumpkins, and I made a very timely design for mine (he’s happy because he doesn’t have coronavirus). Then we had a Nerf war in the yard because AJ decided to buy us all guns. After dressing up, we spent the entire allotted time trick-or-treating under the blue moon. The kids had a great time!

COVID-19 Homeschooling Week 4

This week we started the week with Reading and Writing outside before getting changed into our workout clothes to complete our personalized PE workout. The kids did great and we subbed out overhead tricep presses for dips since we have no benches. For Recess the kids drew love notes for the people walking on the sidewalk and played in the magnolia. For Music, both kids played piano taking turns working on handwriting when they weren’t playing. Tuesday I perfected the garage computer setup so that I could take Zumba and later that day Brooke could Zoom her ballet/tap class. For PE, Coach Daddy subbed in to teach soccer. We did Math followed by Art, making doodles inspired by one of our favorite authors, Mo Willems. Brooke had her first Google Meets class session and then the kids planted the garden with AJ before Brooke had dance. We enjoyed a beer in the backyard while Alex played and she had class. Wednesday was so nice we were back outside for Reading and Writing. We took a bike ride to visit and talk about fresh water habitats and the living and non-living things that impact that ecosystem for Science (AJ tagged along). AJ drilled a hole through the table for our umbrella and I accidentally broke glass in the garage and then had to vacuum it.  You know you are losing your mind in quarantine when spring cleaning includes vacuuming the garage. AJ received masks through mask-match for providers and was very touched and excited to bring them to the hospital to share with his colleagues. Thursday Alex had his Google Meets session with his class and we went on a nice hike finding a secret trail at a park we’ve frequented for the last 10 years. Friday for Writing we worked on letter writing *wink*. We did a nice walk for PE and emulated Georgia O’Keeffe’s shading and perspective techniques in Art. Saturday AJ helped me get the tools I needed to make a swing for the kids in the front yard and we loaded up the bikes to ride on the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. On Sunday the kids had an Easter egg hunt and then we dyed eggs before showing AJ the super secret trail. I made Easter cookies for us all and watched a little SNL At Home during quiet time before AJ made us a delicious steak dinner.

Oma and Opa Visit

We had Oma and Opa here for Christmas this year and we had a great time spending time with them!

Christmas

We had a very merry Christmas and the kids got just what they wanted from Santa!

Christmas Eve

This year Oma and Opa joined us for Christmas.  On Christmas Eve we went to Charles Dicken’s Christmastown and then out to lunch before heading home to make more cookies!  Of course we had Chinese for dinner and then looked at Christmas lights.  This year we even did some viewing on our bikes with Oma and Opa following in their car. Once the cookies and milk were ready for Santa we tucked the two excited kiddos to sleep.