Week 6 of Our New World: April 18 - April 24, including including Days 36 - 42 of Family Quarantine. Focusing this week on: Encouraging The Kids To Learn New Things and Thoroughly Enjoying Every Afternoon & Evening.
Time is flying. This week was one of the best and most consistently positive. I truly think we have settled into this new pace of life. There is no boredom, even when you ask the kids. Every week brings so many new things... so much to learn, so much to experience.
It really is quite amazing how for 44 days, the five of us have spent 14 hours a day together, majority of it, physically in the same room or area. What is even more amazing is that at the end of the day, the kids really do want to still be with us, hanging out, playing games or watching some TV. Part of me, knows it's not healthy for Blake and I to have them physically with us so much, but it's hard not to welcome it when they are 13, almost 12 and 7 and you feel like these moments are fleeting. We are really working on them having unstructured and free play, away form us from 4-8PM each afternoon, obviously dinnertime as a family it in the middle of that. It has been nice to say, I don't care what you do, just go outside and do what you feel like. Or you can stay inside, but absolutely no TV. The girls play dress-up and I found them just laying on Addison's bed talking. During this free time, Carter is now obsessed with his table saw and usually begging that one of us go outside to watch him while he makes some cuts.
One of my favorite new moments this week was when Emma Burek called to FaceTime and she and Delaney danced and then, she and Addison played the Ukulele for over an hour together, teaching one another songs.
 |
| Once a week, we pick up food and the kids LOVE Panera! |
Blake's real world views when he goes out and about a couple of times each week - lines, masks and empty shelves.
The constant cooking continues and the kids even made Blake and I dinner and brought it to us in the hot tub.
Blake escaped for a round of golf and had to walk the entire 18 holes since there are no golf carts allowed.
 |
| Addison learning how to weave a blanket out of yarn. |
We had a fun family excursion to Starbucks, the kids had never been!
Then, it was time for our big family camp out including Survivor style challenges! It was such a great night and Addison wrote us a family song and played it on the Ukulele.
 |
| This is what the kitchen looks like more times than not, these days. |
FaceTime Happy Hours with friends!
Frozen pizza challenge!
The massive amount of cooking continued and included learning how to make hot tea.... although the kids gave it an honest taste, they didn't acquire the taste during COVID-19. We also learned to make homemade hummus, black bottomed cupcakes, an incredible new bulgogi, non stop guacamole and even banana bread!
We we weren't doing school work, work or cooking, we were doing projects around the house. The list got so long the last couple of weeks, we finally started having to make a family list so that we wouldn't get detoured starting any new projects. Carter cleaned out the trash cans for $6 after a neighbor sent a flyer about a company that will come do it for you. We have a 13 year kid, so no outside company needed!
New bathing suit style show!
This Friday night was much more positive than last Friday night. The Gonzales invited us over late afternoon on Friday and we, without a pause, were ready to connect with people. The Moake's ended up being there too and the 7 kids swam and the 6 of us adults, seriously, just sat on the edge of the pool and talked. It was so nice and so much fun. It felt good, we finally had our Wilderness Ridge people all together and got a glimpse into what will no doubt be some of our regular Summer nights.
