Kids Yoga

As I've mentioned, we are on week 7 of working surviving at home during the quarantine.

I've FINALLY gotten into more of a routine with the girls. Ha.

I guess I just gave up on life ever getting back to normal.

BUT.

When Steve has to work (I get so much anxiety), I try to get up a little early. So I can get ready (I actually put make up on - I have SO MANY FUCKING VIDEO MEETINGS EVERY FUCKING DAY).

I get the girls' breakfast ready.

Take the dogs out.

Feed them.

Feed the pigs.

I try to get started on my day while everyone is eating breakfast.

After breakfast, we do school for a bit.

Very fitting! 

Ava was very proud to find her farm animal toys as part of her school assignment on "habitats"

Then one of her messages was to do some Cosmic Kids Yoga. I've heard of it, but never really paid attention to it.

I'm not sure why. 

I've been missing out.

Not only do my kids love it, but it's freaking hilarious.

No, the yoga/teacher lady is fine. It's cute. It's engaging.

This is freaking hilarious:

I'm not sure why, but this pose is SO FUNNY to me. 

She's so cute, I can't take it.

Mila took a quick break from math to join in on the fun.

So now we're going to add in some kids yoga to our mornings. 

I don't stop working

Working from home is like my dream come true.

Since I had my babies, I always dreamed of having a more flexible schedule.

Time that would allow me to be both the amazing mom I wanted to be, the wife that got so much shit done, AND the career woman who could help bring in income for our family.

Well, now that it's here?

Jesus fuck it's hard.

Of course I don't get the benefit of dropping my kids off at school and daycare, so it's just all fucking day long of request after request after request.

So, I try to start my day early because I know my attention will be stretched thin. So I start maybe around 7:30/8am (work technically starts at 9am).

I work a few hours. Take a break to hang with the kids. Work another couple of hours.

But because of this, I end up working well into the night.

Well, until like 10-11pm.

It's getting old.

There are some days where I straight up neglect my kids for upwards of 4 hours. Just me yelling over the balcony to make sure they are ok.

It's awful.

I feel terrible in so many ways.

When Steve is home, it's still not ideal. Obviously it's much better, but I'm still home.

My ass is literally numb right now, having not moved from my office chair since 8am.

It's 4:30pm right now.

I think I got up to pee like once.

Listen.

When we were at the office, I'd be getting up ALLLLL the time. Chatting with people. Sitting at the common table so I'd be out in the middle of it all.

I loved it.

I loved the 5 minute (ok, 10 minute) hallway conversations with people, catching up.

Don't get me wrong.

I'm incredibly grateful to have my job still.

I'm equally grateful and terrified that Steve is considered an "essential worker" in that he's still getting paid (and with shorter hours!) but it also means he's out in the community and the chances of him being in contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19 are pretty high.

So yeah.

That's where we're at.

60 and Sunny.

We finally got some nice weather.

For one day.

One, single, solitary day.

Bet' yer ass we were out there allllll day.

My tulips are coming in!

Got the sandbox ready

my pretty girl!

She had to change into these leggings. lol

my good girl, loving this weather!

Steve mowed the lawn and we completed a lot of outdoor chores. Got the chickens watered and fed.

We enjoy these days. They are few and far between.

This was Saturday.

If it makes you feel any better, today is Monday and it fucking snowed this morning.

NY on PAUSE until May 15

Holy shit people.

The Stay at Home guidelines have been pushed back to May 15 now.

I feel like as we approach May 15, it could get pushed again.

I read so many different articles and opinions on this. It's hard not to panic. It's hard not to go back and forth on emotions and if I'm overreacting or not.

I'm not sure.

I will be social distancing myself and my children for as long as possible. 

Even when things start to open back up...I will probably keep my distance. 

Here's the thing. I'm not completely oblivious to what's going on around me.

I'm one of the lucky ones for sure. 

I know that.

Me and my kids are safe at home. 

And we have plenty to do around here. 

When Steve and I moved out here...we envisioned ourselves on our "homestead."

We are very much home bodies and like being home.

This is by far, our happy place. 

It's been 5 weeks and we haven't really fought at all. We enjoy each others' company.

Our kids are doing more chores than ever. 

Our kids are spending quality time outside, with no supervision. 

We literally have enough work around our property to keep us busy for months. Clearing trails, taking care of animals, cleaning out pens and coops.  Making sure feed and water is topped off. Fix any holes in the fence. 

While I have definitely felt like I've been neglecting my kids (when I'm working and Steve is working) there ARE moments that I can appreciate.

We are spending more time together as a family. 

We are trying not to take for granted the simple things in life. 

Trying to do some school

Our new reality

lol

Every time they go outside. They come in covered in mud. 

How did they get so old? It's crazy to me. 

Chickens tilling my garden to help me prep the soil.

It was a beautiful day. (Also, check out her cute socks! She was so proud that they stuck out the top of her boots!)

This face.

my normal attire these days

News from today (heard second hand since the TV was off all day and I was too busy to keep up): the county will be working with the biggest hospital we have in our area to work out a reintroduction plan. 

I have no idea what this means. 

My company is discussing a reintroduction plan and the way it was explained to us is that maybe we will start out with 25% of the workforce going back into the office and then rotating staff. 

My question is: are they planning to go into the office in between these shifts to disinfect? 

I "heard" that we'll be doing this starting June 1st and by June 4th "thing will be back to normal"

Um. 

I'm just not sure. 

Homeschooling Update

I'm still failing miserably at this whole "homeschool" thing.

As in - following ALL the curriculum the teachers have sent along.

We probably missed the first 3 weeks of emails and ZOOM meetings.

I just couldn't get a handle on life.

There was literally NO WAY I could fit that stuff into my day!

I could barely feed them on time! And yes, they've had dry cereal for a meal. Get over it. I also gave them a banana. So there.

Anyway.

Finally, I was like "this shit ain't stopping any time soon, so let's figure out some school."

So for the last week or so? I don't know. We started with our morning messages and doing some school.

Learning math...the hard way.

Ava was listening to a story about space

Her rocket ship is so freaking cute

While Mila worked on her weekly writing, Ava got started on other types of learning.

The weather was decent - maybe 10 degrees too cold. But it was sunny, so we (they) spent a lot of the afternoon outside with Steve (who's had a flurry of side jobs lately and it's been so, so amazing).

And then we played with these water beads...which are incredibly interesting to play with.

So we're in Week Five and still just hanging in there. We have 3 weeks minimum before our state opens back up - or phases a reintroduction. 

Will the kids go back to school for 4 weeks? Does that even make sense?

Happy Birthday, Baby.

8 years old.

Wow.

Just like they say.

That happened FAST.

Mila, you are a kind, thoughtful and sweet-natured kid. You are my rule follower and go with the flow kind of kid. You are laid back, just like your dad. When we're in a rush, you're as slow as molasses, just like your dad. 

Your "fly by the seat of your pants" attitude is both inspiring and enraging. 

You're growing up into such a lovely young lady. We are SO lucky to be your parents! 

This year will be memorable for sure.

We originally planned on having a few friends sleep over. Go out and watch the new TROLLS movie (which we ended up renting at home for their "premier at home due to COVID-19") and do a small party at our house.

Obviously we can't do that.

So we tried to do our best to make sure you had a special day.

We decorated the house a bit and got some pretty sweet gifts for you. Everyone who loves you chipped in to get a couple of items you've had your eyes on.

You woke me up at 6:40am. 

We had a lovely day. You took today in stride. You played with your new toys and said you couldn't wait to show them to your friends.

I am proud to be your mom. All your teachers love you and your friends' parents are always telling me what a pleasure you are to have around. My sweet girl.

I love you to the moon and back a million times!