What Day Is It?

(4/3) Quarantine day 22. Work and school for the boys and me, and Dad had the day off. The twins had Zoom sessions with their classes. They really enjoy them, and spent a good hour on with their classes. They're now on Spring Break, not that we're really doing anything different.


(4/4) Today we were all off. Dad got up early and made us a pancake breakfast. I took Zumba from my living room, which is always the best way to start the day. After class, I went to the store and purchased flowers to take to Nanan for her birthday coming up next week. We parked 6' apart and talked a little through our windows. That was so much harder than our nightly calls! This sucks. Dad made Rote Gruetze for the boys today. They seemed to like it! It was something his grandmother used to make.


(4/5) Dad had to work in the office (solo) today for part of his shift, and I slept in. The boys again played a ton of screen time, and this afternoon set about augmenting all the forts we have. Even Jimmy has one! I had a family call with all the sibs for Craig's bday this evening. I was mean and made the children put on clothes for their brief appearances. Dad made homemade ramen tonight and it was very tasty.


(4/6) The boys are on break this week, and Dad and I are still working like normal. Sarah and I postponed our normal dark-thirty walk for an afternoon one so we got to enjoy the sunshine.  Dad even broke out the grill for dinner tonight. Nanan got the birthday cards we sent and was delighted. The boys did such a nice job. Today is her actual birthday, and we sang to her on our video chat this evening.

(4/7) Today was a work day for Dad and me. I managed to squeeze in a lunchtime walk with Sarah and got out in the sunshine between meetings. The grands texted this afternoon that there was a package on our front porch. They gave us a Nixplay smart frame, which is super cool!  It interfaces with social media which makes adding photos a cinch. You can also send pictures to other people's frames, and now all of us big kids have one and can stay connected during this time apart.


(4/8) I had the day off so slept in & then sat in the sun to read my book. Dad worked today, and went on a produce run after he was off. He scored some new berries for another stab at Rote Gruetze. I asked J if I could attempt giving him a haircut tonight. It turned out okay ~ he kept telling me that he thought I was done, and I kept telling him I had no real idea what I was doing. He likes it, and that's what counts.


(4/9) I worked today, and Dad had the day off. Today's excitement was someone hijacking my PayPal and bombing my cell phone. I turned my phone off in frustration and went out for a walk with Sarah. It eventually stopped, but ugh, so irritating. Dad grilled tonight and we opened the last bottle of wine from our favorite winery. The owner is planning to retire this summer, and I can't imagine we'll get back again before they've gone out of business.  I told the kiddos tonight that Easter was going to be a bit different, and J burst into tears. We usually do a big get together and egg hunt at the grands', and this year it will be at home without the coveted stuffed eggs. This is the first they've really gotten upset about being home.

(4/10) I ended up going to the bank to deal with yesterday's PayPal fiasco. They got me all fixed up and on my way. So annoying. Especially since I've been collecting donations for my work's charitable efforts. Other than that, my day was pretty low-key. I walked with Sarah at lunch, worked, and found the end of the internet. I'm glad the weekend is almost here!


(4/11) I slept in this morning and took a Zumba class online. I met Nanan again and we exchanged Easter baskets. I put some of the eggs that the kids colored, tulips, and Cheetos in hers. She got the whole family a big basket of treats! We had a nice visit, parked a stall apart, and then I headed on home. I read my book, and we had a quiet evening.


(4/12) Happy Easter! I told the boys I'd make them spicy eggs (deviled eggs) as soon as they had found all the eggs. We were stuck on the last two, so I had to consult the bunny (who had to work this morning). We did a virtual egg hunt over Zoom with the grands. The boys tried yelling over each other, so I sat with each one periodically to help chill them out. I made more spicy eggs and potato salad for dinner, and Dad cooked a ham. Dinner was delish!


(4/13) Quarantine day 32. The kids are back in school, which means prodding them to get their school work done and saying "yes, both reading AND math!" over and over again. Sarah and I went for a walk this morning and I took a Zumba class online, which made my day go fairly quickly. We caught up with the grands, and J immediately asked when the stuffed eggs would arrive. You know, seeing as they'd not had *any* candy. The grands had unstuffed them, but J was wanting the candy in the eggs because "they're so fun to play with."  Goofballs.


(4/14) Meeting Tuesday! Everybody had meetings on Zoom today. D was so excited to have his own meeting and be able to participate. LOL!  After dinner, I went out to use the treadmill, and the rest of the fam went for a walk with the doggos. Once they were back and engrossed in a program, I took the opportunity to go in and clean D's room. They boys have been sleeping in J's room, and D's had clothes/toys/blankets everywhere. It's so nice to go in and not step on any Legos!


(4/15) Today was a pretty quiet day. I had the day off, and Dad worked from home. The kiddos did their school work, and then were off to play screens for a bit. Nanan had a doctor's appointment, and I was able to attend via Zoom. Yay, technology!  A package arrived for the boys today: all their stuffed eggs. They ate a ton of candy, and had a great time hiding the eggs for each other. Thanks, grands!!


(4/16) I worked today and Dad had the day off. All the excitement of having a meeting on Tuesday has definitely worn off for D, and he is now lamenting all the Zooms he's going to have.  He had a class Zoom today, and J will have one tomorrow. I caught an evening Zumba class online, and that was a lot of fun. It's good to move especially after a day of sitting for work!


(4/17) Work day for me and Dad had the day off. J had a Zoom meeting with his class this afternoon and the other boys did the minimum of work so they could get to video games. Dad barbecued chicken for dinner tonight, and we ate outside. Tonight was the Great Washington Camp-In, so we had a campfire complete with s'mores, and called all the grands to virtually join us at the fire. The twins slept in their blanket fort as has been the norm this month.


(4/18) I took a couple of Zumba classes this morning, and then ventured out to the store to pick up my work's Mothers' Day donation to the YWCA. We elected to get Fred Meyer gift cards for the 13 moms. We raised a ton, and I'm excited to help make the day special! After I got back, we headed out to pick up our wine order. They had us drive up and then loaded it curbside. We also saw a moving sale sign outside of one of the distilleries we like, so we purchased from them as well. And then we got take-out. It was a fun day of supporting local biz! We played Catan tonight, and C narrowly beat Dad and took the win.


(4/19) Today was pretty much a lazy day. I saw Zumba was happening, so I tuned in for that, and then lounged around and read my book. The kiddos played a lot of screens and were bananas this evening. But they got their Sunday chores and routines done with the usual amount of craziness.


(4/20) Monday again. The boys had school, and Dad and I worked. The twins were supposed to start having Zooms with their specialists today, but neither could get in, so we'll try again tomorrow.


(4/21) I saw a painted rock out on my walk today, and after showing the twins a picture, they immediately wanted to paint their own. So they were painting away before 8am. Dad and I both had to work today, and all the boys had Zooms with their classes/specialists. Specialists went smoothly today, and we only had a hiccup with one classroom Zoom.

(4/22) Day 41.  I have the day off today, and kicked it off with a soggy walk. Nanan had an appointment this morning and there were lots of technological glitches, but we got through and got it done. Shew! The boys have done their school work and are off playing video games, and my plan for the rest of the day is to read my book. Exciting, no?