Well, last Sunday we got the news that all MN schools were closed until at least March 30 (we know now that they will be closed past that date, and at that time, we'll move to distance learning...not sure how that's going to work, but we'll give it a shot. We don't have a choice!)
So, Monday morning started the work / school from home schedule. I ran to G's elementary school on Monday morning and picked up packets of homework that his teacher had organized for him. And then on Monday night, Ava and I ran to her school and picked up items from her locker. So, this is the real deal. They're home for an indefinite amount of time.
I've been playing home school mom and also work-from-home mom this week and it's absolutely exhausting. I came up with a daily schedule the kids needed to follow, including homework, music, outdoor time, game time (yeah, that really sucked...they don't like playing games together), and a virtual field trip. G happily completed his items, but Ava was a bit of a struggle to get her to do her things without an eye roll. I told them that this upcoming week is technically their spring break, so they'll get a reprieve from the school stuff, but after that, they're going to need to focus on actual school work that the district will be teaching them.
I'm really worried about how the distance learning is going to go. Ava will be fine...she has a district-issued iPad, but G doesn't. He can use my laptop or Scott's tablet, but how is going to be able to focus without me there, guiding him along the way? I still have a full-time job to keep up with at home.
Currently, Scott is still going to work each day (lucky him, he gets to escape the house), but they have been discussing what will happen if he can't go into work anymore. We'll see how that pans out.
This is now the state of my home desk...two laptops (1 Patterson, 1 Dee) and a brand new monitor (Dee.) Hooray! Too bad there's not any room for me to work here...
In addition to the quarantine we are facing at home, I also had a 16-hour virtual training that I just wrapped up (8 hours on Friday, 8 hours on Saturday) to become a scrum certified Product Owner. I did it! But, boy, that was a challenge keeping everyone quiet for two days straight, so I could actively participate in the video calls that comprised the training.
Things are certainly weird right now. I know we're doing the right thing by staying in our house, but it's really hard not knowing how long this will last. Weeks? Months? I'm beginning to look wistfully at movies/shows where people were allowed to go out and socialize with friends or strangers...no 6' barrier needed. Did we really used to live like that? It feels like it was so long ago...sigh.
Scott was feeling a little optimistic when he left this note by the front door earlier this week...usually we have fun things like, "5 days until vacation", but right now, I would be happy to see this virus gone, over going on vacation!
On a bright note, we had a pop o'green for St Patrick's Day this week. Our leprechaun only came here one night and left G a note. I personally think the leprechaun is too exhausted figuring out how to break into houses to cause mischief, so he had to reduce his visit to only one night. G seemed to be okay with that...
Scott's been busy with all of his extra time at home. Our basement ceilings have been finished and painted, and he primed all of the walls, and has been busy painting the main room. The color is a little bit darker than what we had expected, but I think it'll look great when we finish off the rest of the room. Next up is trim and flooring...and then we can decorate!
Sunday should be a fun day. Wait, wait, just kidding! We don't have any plans so we'll be hanging at home. This won't be so bad once the weather warms up a bit and the kids can play (at a socially appropriate distance) outside. We all need some fresh air to deal with the madness!
So, Monday morning started the work / school from home schedule. I ran to G's elementary school on Monday morning and picked up packets of homework that his teacher had organized for him. And then on Monday night, Ava and I ran to her school and picked up items from her locker. So, this is the real deal. They're home for an indefinite amount of time.
I've been playing home school mom and also work-from-home mom this week and it's absolutely exhausting. I came up with a daily schedule the kids needed to follow, including homework, music, outdoor time, game time (yeah, that really sucked...they don't like playing games together), and a virtual field trip. G happily completed his items, but Ava was a bit of a struggle to get her to do her things without an eye roll. I told them that this upcoming week is technically their spring break, so they'll get a reprieve from the school stuff, but after that, they're going to need to focus on actual school work that the district will be teaching them.
G's school work for one day...we've got math, drawing, writing, counting, everything!
Currently, Scott is still going to work each day (lucky him, he gets to escape the house), but they have been discussing what will happen if he can't go into work anymore. We'll see how that pans out.
This is now the state of my home desk...two laptops (1 Patterson, 1 Dee) and a brand new monitor (Dee.) Hooray! Too bad there's not any room for me to work here...
In addition to the quarantine we are facing at home, I also had a 16-hour virtual training that I just wrapped up (8 hours on Friday, 8 hours on Saturday) to become a scrum certified Product Owner. I did it! But, boy, that was a challenge keeping everyone quiet for two days straight, so I could actively participate in the video calls that comprised the training.
Things are certainly weird right now. I know we're doing the right thing by staying in our house, but it's really hard not knowing how long this will last. Weeks? Months? I'm beginning to look wistfully at movies/shows where people were allowed to go out and socialize with friends or strangers...no 6' barrier needed. Did we really used to live like that? It feels like it was so long ago...sigh.
Scott was feeling a little optimistic when he left this note by the front door earlier this week...usually we have fun things like, "5 days until vacation", but right now, I would be happy to see this virus gone, over going on vacation!
On a bright note, we had a pop o'green for St Patrick's Day this week. Our leprechaun only came here one night and left G a note. I personally think the leprechaun is too exhausted figuring out how to break into houses to cause mischief, so he had to reduce his visit to only one night. G seemed to be okay with that...
G also made a "poop" bird out of Play-Doh...
Scott's been busy with all of his extra time at home. Our basement ceilings have been finished and painted, and he primed all of the walls, and has been busy painting the main room. The color is a little bit darker than what we had expected, but I think it'll look great when we finish off the rest of the room. Next up is trim and flooring...and then we can decorate!
Sunday should be a fun day. Wait, wait, just kidding! We don't have any plans so we'll be hanging at home. This won't be so bad once the weather warms up a bit and the kids can play (at a socially appropriate distance) outside. We all need some fresh air to deal with the madness!
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