Rose Island, Terrific Two, Super Hero, Date and Dinner

Note the flood level of the Ohio River in 1937. The drop off into the river from where Makenna is standing is significant. That flood wiped out the resort and amusement park. 

On Monday, Ty woke early and ready for e-learning. Whereas Kate wasn't assigned work until Tuesday, Ty's teachers made his work available Sunday night. He once again soared through his science lessons and made quick work of his vocabulary before I called him away from the computer for a hike. Now that his education is solely online, he loves it. We enjoyed exploring Rose Island Abandoned Amusement Park.

Their dramatic reactions to the last leg of our uphill hike entertained me. It was quite a walk and all of us were feeling it. The decision to get out of the house was a good one.

Lauren expressed some frustration with Austin's hitting phase. He hits when he is angry and he hits when he is excited. Makenna and I both recommended the book, Hands are Not for Hitting. Lauren called Monday evening, completely exasperated. They read the book. Austin loved it. He wanted to hear it again. As they wrapped up the second time, he smirked, climbed off the couch and used the book to smack the wall and furniture. After I pulled myself together, I repeated my advice,"books are for reading. We can read the book, not hit with the book." Please note, as humerous as I found Austin exposing the loop hole, his mother did not. She is totally raising herself. It's so much more fun for me this time around.

But Tuesday night she video chatted with me so I could watch his reaction to the preschool song about the little ducks going out one day, over the hill and far away. The mother duck says quack, quack, quack and with each verse, one less duck came back. Austin's lip quivered each time they got down to one duck and he cried when they were all gone. We explained it was hide and seek and the mommy finds them all so it is okay. So he would sing it again but still get emotional toward the end; genuine emotion with tears through a smile he was trying to fake and it was heartbreaking.

These two are best buds. Oliver only snuggles with Ty. Both love e-learning. But I just finished telling a frustrated friend whose son is also in the "hands are not for hitting" phase that I used to think Ty would never outgrow smacking people in frustration but now he would be devestated if he hurt someone's feelings when Makenna heard Ty "helping" his buddy problem solve in the driveway. The friend has a crush on a girl and doesn't know what to do about it. Ty suggested they set her kitchen on fire so Lane could rescue the girl and Ty can put out the fire and save the house. Our superhero is a bit overzealous and scares me a little.

Makenna's boyfriend is a medic and his mother is a phlebotomist; both honorable but unfortunately essential during a pandemic. The decision to keep them apart for this season has been hard on her. Believe it or not, nineteen year old daughters don't love extended periods of family time.  

Thursday Makenna and Noah had a chilly picnic together in the driveway. Layla, the chaperone stole Noah's milk and provided the socially distant entertainment. 

I sent flowers with a simple, "you've got this" message to a friend facing a stage three cancer diagnosis during a pandemic because social distancing requires we think of new ways to "hug" friends. The marketing geniuses at the florist sent me a step discount on a second order. So I bought me flowers as well. As it turns out, I've got this too. But Makenna brought them into the house from her socially distant date excited, "Mom, someone sent you flowers!" And I laughed, "yep, that was me. By the way, this is the way you get flowers after twenty-five years of marriage." Kate was disappointed I didn't include a card. I will keep that in mind next time. I suppose a pep talk attached to flowers couldn't hurt.

For the last few weeks, Hello Fresh has been delivering meal kits to cover 2-3 meals a week. It's a little pricey but we decided that it covers our commitment to trying new recipes and serves as entertainment to an extent because we tend to gather in the kitchen and prep food together when it's something new. Deciding to let this treat go after the shelter in place protocol lifts won't be easy. Whereas the service is less expensive than going out for quality food, we aren't a family who eats out. However on Thursday I received a last minute notification my delivery had been delayed. I had no backup plan because I didn't want fresh food wasted. I ended up frying some bacon and scrambling a dozen eggs despite my reluctance to use so many eggs at a time. I had "dinner" finished just before Greg was due home so I cleaned the skillet. Water backed up in my sink so I turned on the garbage disposal and immediately regretted the decision. My sink threw up egg shells, water and bacon grease all over my freshly cleaned kitchen and still warm dinner. Everything went into the trash and I fought tears as I started over. We redeemed dinner with an early Easter celebration. I needed it more than the kids in that moment.

Kate and Ty worked on Ty's Avenger Lego set together while Pip supervised from his new hammock. Kate made it out of an old tee shirt. We aren't sure how much he appreciates it just yet. He seems lively in it but he also tries to escape. I am not fluent in hedgehog so it's anyone's guess. 

But these two and the way they've bonded through this season has been impressive. They both are thrilled to be home and away from the stress of school and have found more in common than I thought possible with a four year age difference. My hope is the memories they are making together carry them through the coming years.

Weekend Review

Saturday some strong feelings were expressed and it took a quality dinner and bon fire to repair relationships. The quarantine is starting to wear on the most active among us.

We started a family journal to document how we are navigating the pandemic. It's revealing how deeply a child wrestled with school and how difficult this sitting and waiting is for another. Some of us focused on the positive impact such as realizing how much will not be returning to our full calendar after the quarantine ends while others suspect the entire thing is a giant social experiment. And then there is the boy, "I am happy." He is a little man of many words.

Anyone who knew this boy his preschool years, will recall his green Ninja outfit. Those memories came flooding back when he emerged Sunday morning dressed like this. This poor kid needs a haircut and lessons on how to match clothes. He resists both suggestions. Strongly.

Sunday afternoon Erin came to work on our deck because her cat chewed through her router cord and she has assignments due. We loved seeing her and failed to maintain social distancing. We've missed her tremendously.

Sunday, while listening to our church sermon, we worked on a puzzle......and of course was missing a piece. I do not posess the ability to sit and listen to anything online or otherwise so the puzzle was required. But I was surprised to see how eagerly each member of the family contributed to the completion.

Ty's tv time is not being limited much these days. He does a good job of finding things to do outside when we insist he step away but the cat loves the company and prefers we leave him alone.

Sunday afternoon, the litter box and Pip's cage got cleaned in time for Monday's garbage pick up. While we were at it, Pip was bathed. He does not like baths and hisses clear through it but is pretty lively afterward.

Sunday evening, I had a photoshoot and when I returned, Greg met me in the driveway. We took a drive and got an ice cream through a drive-thru as a needed date. Sitting in a vacant parking lot has become date worthy. Suddenly we are teens again.

E-Learning, Photography and Painting

On Sunday, I dried my hair. Two of our children came into the bathroom to find out where we were going. This is a sign of just how uninterested I have been in getting myself put together these last few weeks. As it turns out, I just wanted dry hair.

Monday we painted Kate's room. She has been begging for over a year and I was waiting to tackle that job until after she moved upstairs when Makenna moves out. Given the state of the world right now and the inevitable recession heading our way, it seems unlikely Makenna will be leaving anytime soon. So we painted. What else did we need to do? Kate is thrilled with the brightness of her room and I am pleased she agreed to the same neutral tone I have throughout the rest of the house because that will translate well into a guest room eventually. She also painted the pink dresser black and sprayed the black hardware rose gold.

We were able to participate in Austin's bedtime routine Monday evening and it was pure joy. I love that baby more than words can express. He has the best belly laughs and cannot believe all the things he can get us to do with him. Pops was acting like Cookie Monster at one point and Austin laughed so hard, he was doubled over. And the bedtime stories? We all know all the hand motions and do them along with him. Lauren says we are not helping her teach him he is not the boss of the world. Smile. However, he is officially potty trained and very proud of himself.

Tuesday I finished my photography project. You can view it here if you are so inclined. I needed the creative outlet and the socially distant conversations were good for my soul. I miss my people.

Tuesday I picked up a hefty clicklist order, our first in eleven days and as I pulled into the garage, the children cheered. They eagerly filled the refrigerator and cupboards for me, exclaiming over every item. Awhile later, I noted some missing snacks. Loudly inquiring to the house in general, it became clear Kate was hiding favorites in her room. She begrudgingly returned them upon demand. Still the sweet one?

Ty started e-learning Monday. Kate started Wednesday. Makenna asked me to hold her accountable for her online classwork on Wednesday as well. We are staggering work shifts because we don't have the bandwidth for three online at the same time. Rumor has it we aren't alone in this predicament. It's all going as well and it's nice to have something we are responsible for each day. However, I miss my work kids and chatting with my teacher during snack time. Now I snack more and chat less. This is a problem. But my teacher and I collaborated on Wednesday and she allowed me access to our google classroom and is letting me interact with our kiddos virtually. I'm delighted to have the opportunity.

I realized I was remaining irritated by the drama of this virus and not being supportive of the people genuinely afraid. Whereas I think they need to distance themselves from the media thriving on the frenzy, they are actually terrified. So I needed to check my attitude. I'm a slow learner. If my friends need a listening ear, I'm here. I may have snoozed you for thirty days on Facebook because I cannot join you in that mindset but I do love you.

Ty wrapped up his e-learning in four days. Oliver was not impressed with the lack of attention. And then I introduced the idea of kid chef for lunch. He did a good job and despite his reluctance, the girls also enjoyed his meal.

Thursday afternoon we discovered we would be finishing the year with e-learning. I am so heartbroken. I miss my work kids immensely. Kate and Ty, seeing my tears tried so hard to be reverent. Noting they were about to burst with excitement, I granted permission to celebrate and they did. Loudly. We all cope our own way, I suppose.

These boys had been bike riding together until the other mom decided to be more socially distant. This is the boys' compromise. 

Friday, because Ty was finished with his assignments for the week, I accepted a volunteer role pulling weeds from one of the school's flower beds. It felt amazing to be useful. However, this morning, those three hours of squatting and bending to pull weeds has caught up with me. I feel old today.