Quarantine and Homeschool- Week 1

Its crazy how the world can change in a matter of days, even hours. The Covid-19 pandemic is something that will go down in history and none of us will ever forget it. It's weird how I was substitute teaching on Wed for Brielle's class, and little did I know all schools world wide would be cancelled by Friday night. This week Brielle and Beckham were both sick. Beckham got the stomach flu for 48 hours and Brielle had strep throat. Its even scarier when your kids are sick during a pandemic. I am grateful they got better, for our health insurance, for Dr. Woodmansee, for Chase being able to give Beckham an IV at home and for antibiotics that helped Brielle.I am grateful I bought a few bottles of children Motrin because I noticed we were running low. I had no idea that medicine would be hard to find a few days later. 

By Sunday the kids were much better and I made a Sunday Brunch as I usually do. We enjoyed Blueberry Crumb muffins on the deck! Church was also cancelled world wide, so we had our first ever sacrament at home. Chase blessed it, Beckham passed the bread and Brielle passed the water. It was actually a very special experience and I think the kids enjoyed it. 

I made a homeschool schedule for us to follow since me and every other mom in the U.S. (and other countries) just became full-time teachers. I am grateful now more than ever for my experience subbing in my kids classrooms so things were very familiar to me. I am grateful for their school and district and teachers for how quickly they got their online learning platforms running and a schedule in place! 

The kids and I went up to Bridal Veil falls on Mon, the first day of homeschool (the kids technically didn't have school work until that Wed). It was peaceful and beautiful outside. The sun came out to shine over the waterfall just as we arrived. It made me a little emotional because I felt the Sun was a reminder from Heavenly Father , shining its light and warmth, reminding us everything would be okay. 

The home school schedule is a guideline that has helped us greatly. The kids like having a schedule and daily routine and so do I. It creates a sense of normalcy for us. 

We had another beautiful morning the next day and rode our bikes to the secret park. 

Creative time is one of their favorites and mine too. I found a beach scene for them to draw their own versions of. While they were drawing I played Bob Marley on the Alexa and imagined we were at the beach. I loved how each of their drawing turned out and hung them on the wall next to the home school schedule! Anything to brighten up the mood! 

We played lots of cards too. Well, mostly Brielle did. She loves solitaire. I also reminded her how to play speed and showed her Gin Rummy. She taught Beckham to play Speed and they also played War. 

Lots of walks and bike rides to the park when weather permits. Chase threw the frisbee with Brielle and played football with Beckham. We are lucky to live somewhere so beautiful in the middle of all this craziness. 

Ive been so impressed with both of my kids. They are pretty self-motivated and disciplined with their school work. They work hard! Im also impressed with their teachers and the ZOOM meeting schedule they have created. The kids love seeing their teachers and classmates each day. 

I also had to document what shelves look like in stores these days. There was a huge mass hysteria in the world and people started hoarding food and supplies. It is an uncertain time but I am grateful for the food and shelter we have. Im not too worried about what will happen when we run out of toilet paper... its the big joke right now ;) We have our bidet and Im sure I can order some squirt bottles! Ha ha!