Week #6

Week 6 was a bit slow.  We homeschooled (and it went pretty dang smooth, did a few crafts, and enjoyed dinner from Gringos.  Chase got a haircut from barber dad! The boys continued with their sleepovers and finding new ways to entertain themselves from late night foosball to indoor kitchen ping pong to setting off fireworks dad found in the garage.  Zak and I bought a new chair for our room on Monday and that set off a week of cleaning out and organizing.  Our closet is stuffed but organized.  It feels so good.  Today we're going to take on the garage! I filled up with gas for the first time since the beginning/mid March. I paid $1.28 a gallon.  I fear it will only go lower and that hurts my heart for everyone in the oil industry.  We had some rain this week and even got some hail.  I had a meeting with my Foundry friends to catch up on what the end of the year is going to look like. It still breaks my heart that we won't finish out the year.  And Zak, silly Zak, celebrated Josh's birthday through Zoom.  He should have been in Arizona celebrating with him this weekend.  Saturday, we spent the day outside cleaning up, mowing, cleaning gutters and trimming bushes.  We got a little surprise when our AC finally went out that afternoon.  Monday we get a new one.  Thank goodness it's not August!  The BEST part of my week...TALKING TO MY MOM ON FACETIME!  Although she was very confused, I loved seeing her! 

Week #5

Week 5 started off with Easter.   Easter looked different than it ever has before but we really had a great day.  We even saw the Grands.  We just missed Nanny-Goodness we miss her!!!!!

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!!!!

Rainbow Bouncey Eggs turned out fun and mom and dad were sure glad to have the vinegar off the kitchen counter! 

They didn't last too long.  They bounced a bit but Colt started to get brave and dropped them from further and further.  They liked playing with the yolk as much as anything else.  

It was a bit messy!

We had a fun, but trying time this week.  Homeschool had some tough days and some good days.  We're all trying to get in the swing of it.  It's tough all around  What I'm struggling with most is expectation.  What should they be able to do on their own? What might they really need help with?  Although it's tough, and it's not what any of us signed up for, we're making it through!!!! We actually had some really nice cool weather this week.  The boys played outside lots, we they made LOTS of forts, we made our rainbow eggs and and moon dough and painted rocks. They even did a quarantine magic trick! They both had their first Zoom speech class with Mrs. Garza. Pretty cool what were able to do these days! We had breakfast for dinner one night which is a treat for the boys and one of their favorites and ordered in from Local Table Friday.  It was delicious.  I even tried my first HEB pick up.  I zoomed with my Foundry coworkers and my 5th grade momma friends. We celebrated PawPaws 70th birthday and even saw Pa.  We even got in a few chats with Grandad and a few FaceTimes with Liam.  Zak is working his tail off.  I always knew he was a hard worker but I've got to see him in action over the last weeks.  He works from 8-5 and DOES NOT STOP.   

I think we're getting the hang of this quarantine.  

Happy Happy Birthday PAWPAW! 

We had such a nice time sitting and celebrating you today with cookies from Half Baked.  It's not what the kids had planned for you but it sure was memorable! 

 During the week local residents crowded a local hospitals parking lot to thank them.  Pretty neat to see! 

 In the coming week. Texas has plans to start opening up slowly.  I just pray it doesn't happen too fast.   I know people think we've been too cautious over the last month but I believe it's saved lives.  Our death rate is MUCH lower than expected. 

Is it media hype or truth? I don't know but I'd rather not find out its truth. 

And, we knew it was coming but prayed it wouldn't.  School was cancelled for the remainder of the year.  It hurts my heart for so many reasons.  

Week #4

Week 4 Week 4 and not much has changed around here...it started with a Zoom friend meeting for the boys.  They have played outside, swam in the pool, the boys watched too much youtube and played too much Fortnite. We did our first drive by Birthday to celebrate Lito and it was so much fun! We had a picnic outside for lunch and played out front a lot in the evenings.  We had more nights with the neighbors and on Saturday, before the rain,  we all stayed in our driveway but some neighbors shared some Crawfish with us.  It was quite a treat.  Friday night, after a morning of shopping- goodness that's quiet a feat, we ordered burgers from Andy's Kitchen. It was really good and felt so good to not cook! Don't even get me started on how much work it is to wipe down and wash everything you bring home. I've never been nervous to go to the grocery store.  But I am.  It overwhelming.  I wore a mask this week shopping.  It's very sad walking into the store  and seeing where we are.  Most people are wearing gloves and masks.  It's like something out of a SciFi movie.    Zak worked his bootie off at work (at home) and I got to Zoom with my sweet Dinosaur class.  It was a bit chaotic talking to 13 3-4 year olds but goodness, I miss them.  We picked up the packet at Robison to try to do "homeschool" a little bit different. It was good.  The boys took turns doing their best.  Colt is pretty independent but Chase has some newer material he needs more guidance on.  Let me tell you, it's tough.  I miss teaching preschool!!!!!!! Chase pulled out his tooth this week.  Thank goodness the ToothFairy is essential! We mad bouncy rainbow eggs and should see how they turn out next week.  Stay tuned! We didn't see Liam but Grandad did.  I know he loved it.  We miss him. 
I know that was a mumble jumble but I'm tired.

What I've realized this week...  This staying home thing really isn't so bad! The introvert in me actually loves it.  I miss so much about normal life but I do love the slower pace of life we are living right now.  I love having everyone home, under one roof. Sure we fight  and get annoyed with one another but I really love it.  I am so grateful we are healthy and Zak still has his job. I know everyone is not so fortunate.  

Week #3

 Week Three...

Well, there's been a lot of staying at home.  As the weeks pass we are all struggling with what to do with our time.  We spend a lot of time outside, going on walks, and electronics.  Oh and school.  Dreaded homeschool. 

Zak had to go into work to help out a couple times early in the week. The boys have been working out.  We had picnics outside and even dinner in the driveway one night.  We did school work, cleaned and relaxed.  The boys love jumping on the trampoline, playing water guns, and playing Fort Nite with their friends.  One afternoon they even played Fort Nite out back with Nerf Guns.  We went fishing just as it started to rain one evening and Zak and the boys played PIG in the drive way.  

 Tuesday, it was announced that school would be cancelled Through May 4th. Moms all around the Texas gasped and cried.  

This homeschooling is no joke. Monday was completely overwhelming and a total $h*# Show.  

By Thursday, we had it down pretty well with a pile of completed work for the week. 

On Wednesday, mom had to go in for her 8 week infusion.  It was nerve wrecking to say the least but her and dad made it through. And, dad got to spend some time with mom.  We drove over to her home to see her walk in.  But this point she was tired and confused but it was so great to see her! 

April Fools was on Thursday and everyone joked that it should be cancelled.  I saw a few jokes out there.  This one was the best.  

And something that kept us laughing...

 Let's talk grocery shopping.  To begin with, I AM NOT A GOOD SHOPPER.  I impulse buy, I over stock, I plan but I still go shopping 3-4 times a week.  

I've been shopping once a week for the past three weeks and its overwhelming.  TOTALLY OVERWHELMING! Last week I went and it was good.  Not too crowded, people keeping distance. Not too bad.  

This week.  OMG.  

Packed, people talking on phones, people chatting in the isles, people squeezing by you.  

A. Mess.  

Also, this was Friday.  After 3 hours of shopping, loading up and loading groceries, wiping down and disinfecting every single item and getting things put away.  This is what is left  of $325 worth of groceries to sit in the garage for a few days.  Because honestly, I don't know what is best.  Should we be this careful? I don't know.  

This morning I put in a pick up order at HEB.  I'm going to grab stuff I know we will need.  Then, once a week, try to go only for meat, produce, and things I can't add to my list.  

Eventually I'd like to do it all online.  

I saw this posted on Facebook during the week.  It hurts my heart.  With each passing day it seems that the chances of going back this year diminishes. We also got word that the remainder of Colts first season with Ironmen has officially been cancelled.  

Dear 5th grade Class of 2020,

You might not be a high school senior, but this was a big year. We know how much you were looking forward to your Fifth Grade Party, your last Field Day, your Fifth Grade Walk (getting hugs and high fives from your former teachers as you walk the halls one last time), getting your yearbook, spending the last few months with your elementary school teachers and classmates, and your big end of the year celebration.

We want you to know that no matter what, we are always proud of you and all your accomplishments! 

Saturday night we tried something I've been worried about doing and we ORDERED food! 

 It was glorious! 

Chick Fil A and Torcheys. 

 And this is how "Saturday Night In" looks under quarantine.  

Girls Wine Night and the guys Celebrating Docs 40th! 

 Perfect way to end the week..Snuggles with my favorites!

I have to be honest, the past three weeks have brought many laughs and some memories that I think we will all remember for a life time.  It's also brought some fights, anxiety, arguments, blow ups that I'd never like to relive.  

Everyones on edge.  Everyones worried. Everyone is stressed. 

Even my boys. 

We have to remember this will pass (although I think life will look different after this) and we will move on from this.  We have to try to make the best of it all.