One Last Attempt: Coronavirus Weeks 57 & 58

The last couple of weeks have been so usual in many ways that there hasn't been much to report.  We've hit a colder snap of spring weather and the kids have been inside a bit more.  One night, Elam thought it a great plan to camp out inside Tierney's new tent for her doll Jenna during evening story time. 

We helped Opa & Oma move quite a lot of things back out of their basement and into their garage two Saturdays ago to prepare for a building project set to begin soon and finish the basement space.  The kids all helped carry things up the stairs and outside, happily working away.  We came home with a couple of sketch books that once belonged to their Uncle Michael. Alora discovered some of his arwork existed in it's pages and has since been busily filling the empty pages with her own artwork.

She also had an exciting trip to the orthodontist last week for a consult on her overbite.  She had a bunch of pictures taken, we talked to Dr. Shannon and are now in a holding pattern for another year to wait and see how she grows before making decisions on treatments.  She was pretty thrilled to be going to see the place Ezri goes and talks about.

Around home, there have been some laughs along the way.

Last week Wednesday, we went to Great Grandma's, as is our usual, only this time it was snowing!!!  

Thankfully it did not stick around beyond that day, but the day before and after had very cold nighttime temperatures which meant the grapevine, strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb and blueberry bush needed some extra help staying warm, so we blanketed them as best we could, and thankfully they all look like their newly forming buds survived the freeze.

We kept busy this weekend with tasks around the house as well as helping a friend with a door project, and I also tossed in a Senior Picture session Sunday early evening, which was a lot of fun!  The weather is now looking more friendly, the lawn needs to be mowed, and we are all ready to be outside!

Spring Break: Coronavirus Week 56

April has arrived, and with it a week of slower pace thanks to Spring Break! 

With the extra warm weather that came our way, we were finally able to get the kids' bird houses that they had received at Christmas, built and painted over the past months hung in our trees around the yard.

We also got in some time in the hammocks one afternoon, which this Mommy especially enjoyed as I got a new one just for me!

All the fresh air and play had Elam wore out!

Wednesday evening, after visiting with Great Grandma (joined by Aunt Kerri, Aubrey & Wesley), the girls participated in their last 4H Crafts Around the World meeting, this time making potato prints, which they loved!

Thursday afternoon, we were joined by Gunner and his mom for a few hours of play outside in the afternoon and the kids had a great time playing with him and all the energy he brought to our yard!

Friday, just before lunch, we made a super last minute decision to go to the John Ball Zoo.  We quickly bought our tickets online, flew through a fast food line and made the zoo at 1:30 for our entry time - after everyone tied their shoes!

This was our first real out in public activity in well over a year, and it was a little intimidating, but because of the zoo's mandatory mask policy for all guests as well as spaced entries, signs everywhere reqeusting distancing and wait times to get into buildings, plus the ability to be outside away from others, we went for it, and were so glad we did.  In addition to the usual zoo animals, there were giant lego creations based on actual much smaller animals, and they were so cool!

The tiger was especially exciting this time, he was very active, moving around a lot, drinking, answering nature's call and even making noises!

The one building we did opt to enter was the aquarium, which we got lucky with and entered when there was no line, and we even got to see the penguins being fed!

It was a perfect way to spend the last day of our week away from school!

Friday night Tierney got her last couple of birthday presents from the boys and Jay, Becci & Henry.

To finish off our week, we attended church from home on Sunday and then went exploring in the gravel pit near Great Grandma's farm, looking for Morel mushrooms.  We struck out on that front, but the kids had a great time climbing and exploring anyway.

With our week of Spring Break over, we are now back to colder spring-like weather with rain and the usual school and life schedule - but we are in the home stretch!  Only 7 weeks to go!!!