We have remained hunkered down at home for work (me all the time; Amy is still at clinic half the time and working from home the other half) and school during the pandemic. Amy and I are still busy with our regular days, and these kids have taken like champs to remote learning. All in all, keeping busy with work, school and special home projects has made the time fly by a lot faster than we'd have expected, and this whole period has shaped out so far to be a pretty special one for the five of us with lots of extra time for just us five together.
Our elementary school teacher's did a parade through the neighborhood, and it was quite the event -- parents and children alike have never cheered so loudly for teachers!
Learning at home is going quite well too for our three young scholars. Here, Gloria is doing a zoom session with her classmates and teacher.
With limited ability to leave home, we brought the fun here. Over 80 bags of mulch delivered to the house made for a fun spring yard project for us.
Good workers!
Luke.
We've continued to have nice liturgy services on Sunday morning at home, with the kids doing the readings, the boys and me on instruments and Amy on the piano.
We've have a fair number of sunny days and have been able to really make good use of our back deck.
Easter at home. Egg time!
All dressed up and no placed to go!
Good weather for an egg hunt.
Amy made a great feast, ham and all!
We enjoyed backyard games together, including bag tosses, Corsican bocce ball and ping pong.
Knowing we can't go many places, we ordered a new croquet set! Really fun!
Some science experiments with Professor Mom.
After cleaning the garage, we tackled ping pong. Chad and Oliver.
Nothing passes the time like assembling a new desk. A fun project to make this little scholar's room all the more fun to learn in.
My helpers for a weekend window washing event.
Art class is now in our backyard. Gloria took inspiration from our swings et.
Gloria's masterpiece.
A fun break during the school day.
Amy has been a good sport at the piano during our Sunday services; even when I choose songs with fast tempos and four flats.
We received beautiful bracelets in the mail from Aunt Dira and cousin Mari.
Oliver: Thank you!
Meals on the back deck.
The time came for these wild boys to have their hair tamed. (Luke above.)
What to do when your barbershops are closed and you are sheltering in place? (Oliver above.)
Answer: Dad's barbershop! Note that we set up a waiting area complete with magazines and free water.
I watched three YouTube videos and then dived right in.
The boys were brave and very patient. Luke above.
Oliver. It went better than any of us expected!
I think I may have found a new side gig.
Luke and Oliver.
On the Sunday that state parks were open again, Amy got us out of bed early and convinced us to go for a three mile hike she researched about.
Amy found a perfect one, about 45 minutes north of us; very few people on the trail. Lots of woodpeckers, ducks and beautiful trees. Such a treat to be out in nature and enjoy the fresh air.
Gloria.
Luke.
Oliver.
Chad and Luke.
Back to the school week. Lunch in the backyard.
We couldn't be happier that we still have this playground set. It is getting a ton of use this season with three kids who need their recess.
We had a great Mother's Day for Amy. Some signs above (made from the wood pallet that was left over from the mulch delivery!)
Waffles for Mother's Day Breakfast.
Crepes for Mother's Day lunch!
Great presents.
We couldn't be happier to celebrate our front line champion, Prof./Dr. Mom!
What a great Mom and a great Mother's Day!
