Sheltering at home

We're almost through the first full week at home, and I think we're doing all right. Molly's e-learning has been almost entirely self-guided. She gets up, checks Google Classroom for the daily message from her teacher, and then goes through her list of subjects one by one. Occasionally, she asks one of us to play a math game or get something for her, but for the most part, she's been doing it on her own. She gets a little stir crazy around 3 or 4pm every day, but I get it. We've spent a lot of time in this house with only Grandma over every couple of days to visit.

On Thursday, Molly started video chatting and instant messaging with her friends and that has made a HUGE difference. I fear it may be the gateway to social media and phone addiction, but if it gets us through the next few weeks at home, I am ok with it. She had her lunch bunch on one chat and then half her class on another ... I could hear the laughter and excitement from two floors away.

My week started out kind of slow, but after everyone had a few days to adjust, it was back to business as usual. I'm a little worried that the 9-5 boundaries will dissolve now that everyone is home and bored and staring at their phones and computers all the time, but at least work helps make the time pass. I also have the elementary school yearbook to keep me busy -- goodness knows how we're going to fill all the pages without the end of year activities, but we'll figure something out. Maybe have the kids send in selfies of themselves e-learning? And even though spring is technically here, I've brought my knitting out and am working my way through unused yarn.

Jason has done an excellent job stocking our fridge and pantry. We're not hoarding or prepping by any means, but have enough to get us through a few weeks. We're trying to take this seriously and really limit our trips to the grocery store. The days are long, but we're taking advantage of the new Hulu subscription and unwinding with The Handmaid's Tale and Letterkenny (a Canadian sitcom that is so stupid-smart and totally addictive).

Riley definitely benefits the most from this new arrangement. She's getting long walks multiple times a day and tons of attention from her 3 human family members, especially Molly, who looks for her puppy when she's bored and needs to blow off some steam.

So, we're hanging in there. Same as everyone, I suppose. Just hoping for warmer weather to come and the corona virus curve to flatten out so we can get back to our normal lives! Here are a few pics from Week 1:

Riley is trying her best to take over my spot on the couch

Puzzle #1 complete, with a little help from Grandma

Bridge building with toothpicks and marshmallows .. it held a pen, but not for long 

Selfies with Riley

Taking long walks to the beach

"Spring Break" makeover

"Spring Break" makeover part 2

Face masks, just because