life in lock-down

Lets talk about the past month. The world is in the middle of a pandemic and life as we know it has come to a complete stop. Although we have been home since March 12th we have been handling it quite well.

We were used to being home more often than not. Sure we miss some of our classes and our friends but have been keeping busy. Eric has been home working, which at first presented a dilemma with the internet use but we have gotten it all figured out and the boys still can continue their work and not disrupt Eric's work. We have all learned to be a little bit more quiet so Daddy can concentrate and take calls.

We have been outside daily and catching up on projects. The extra time as been nice for me. I am not feeling too tired from running everyone around and have been able to take an hour walk on most days.

William and Landon have found many ways to fill the hours at home. There has been voluntarily cleaning of garage and raking the yard. Lego towns have been constructed. Bike courses created.
Harkin has taken off with his reading and writing and leaves notes all around the house for everyone. Issabelle is doing her best to follow along. She loves "doing her work" with mom at the counter. And she loves to plan parties for everyone.

We have kept our grocery store visits to once every 8 days or so. We do miss the library terribly since we go through books like crazy, but the big boys have started to read through Eric's library and I am considering some of the boys' novels. I finished all of mine too quickly.  I much prefer a physical book to reading on the kindle.

We have had to visit a new barber. aka Dad. It went well and may become a new thing. Issabelle asks why Daddy can't cut hers and mine too:)

We have tried new recipes, which have been mostly successful.
We have cleaned and organized rooms and spaces. I have piles of things to get rid of. I am trying to set up my crafting area again after it got dismantled in December for the big change in rooms.

We also got a new refrigerator. It was much need and the timing was perfect. As we can fit a ton of food in it since we aren't going to the grocery store very often. Every time Eric or I open it we still smile and say what a beautiful thing.

I am content and happy to be home with my family and not sure we will change much in the coming months, although things will be opening up soon. Being safe is our first priority at the moment and I hope in years my children will remember it as a happy lock-down life.

14 years

Celebrating one's birthday in lock-down is not at the top of the list for fun days, but my young man was a good sport. First up, Landon helped make his birthday pie. Chocolate Peanut butter which was delicious.

We had a lazy breakfast interspersed with birthday presents. Which then Landon headed off to build his new Lego sets.

We then spent the afternoon playing his favorite game, Axis and Allies. It takes a very long time to play and not everyone understands it (ahem) exactly, so we rarely ever play. So this was a way of making his day somewhat special and different. He enjoyed it and was so in his element.

Dinner was next on the table and onto desert. We ended the night with a movie of Landon's choice.

Still crazy hard to believe he is 14 already. I love how time as actually slowed down as of late and we are just enjoying being home together, making it work.

Happy Birthday, my little chili beanie. aka Landon.

rockstar biker

Issabelle got on her new to her bike and just took off. Her old balance bike helped her tremendously. Harkin has been such a great big brother letting her have the bike, and encouraging her all the time.
All of her brothers helped her get going and now she just takes of like a rocket!