Safer at Home, The Weekend Edition

We had a great weekend over here. The weather was awesome. Friday, Virginia entered phase one - Safer at Home (instead of Stay at Home) - of reopening, which really means nothing exciting for me. Virginians are required to wear masks in public inside buildings now as well. Most things are still closed, or have very strict limitations/guidelines. There was also an HOA meeting last week to determine the fate of our community pools. You might know that I am a huge pool fan. For now the pool is remaining closed, and it will be re discussed when we enter phase 2. My prediction is that it will remain closed all summer. Which brings me to our weekend...we broke out the insurance policy...

POOL IS OPEN! I was trying not to open this thing, but I am so glad I finally did. This blow up pool has provided HOURS of entertainment for Quinn all weekend. Saturday was pretty warm out, so even I got in...today I refused, but she spent the afternoon in there entertaining herself. I will take this all summer. If you haven't been to my house, you should know that I don't have a backyard for this thing to go in. It's planted right in my front yard for all my neighbors to see what I am doing and all my packages to be delivered while I watch from my pool. Sorry Amazon driver, truly. It's awkward.

The Queen was even served her lunch poolside. Saturday was also exciting because we got groceries! We were pretty much out of everything, so this was very exciting. Sunday we did online church and then took a walk to the creek to go fishing. We had our first catch of the season! We also walked past the flamingos on the way home and they too were fishing. Hilarious.

This week is the last "teaching" week of the school year. I am also allotted a half day to go in and start the wrap up of the year and to close out my office/move out. I will also go back next week to finish what I can't get done. It should be super weird to go back in, and really to pack up my work life after so many months/years.

Junior Kindergarten Graduation

Last day and first day of Junior Kindergarten

Quinn graduated today via Zoom! While it was not the day originally planned, it was fun. They sang their daily songs and the teacher described each student as she held up their certificate. This year Quinn's description was: "a born leader, loved being the teacher helper, and being allowed to direct the class. She is a girl with brown eyes." Last year she was awarded the "popcorn award" for always popping in to help others, and let the teachers know if someone needed help. I mean those of us that work in education can translate...lord help me. Of all the regular things I miss during this, Quinn's school is at the top, so I am glad that she will get to go back if there is traditional school in the fall.

In other news...this week has been FULL of Zoom meetings. It's been a lot this week. I am ready for a break from virtual obligations and anxious to find out what next year will entail for us in K-12 education. Other than that it's been getting outside in the heat and humidity between meetings as well as trying to keep Quinn busy while on meetings. We tried Q-tip painting today...it was something new and different!

Weekend Ten Highlights

Hiking at the Battlefields (not pictured is the NPS on horseback coming to investigate the child screaming bloody murder for half a mile because we were "walking the wrong direction"). At least she stopped screaming after that. 

Happy Memorial Day everyone! I hope you enjoyed the long weekend. We packed a lot into ours. The weather was great all weekend long. We spent a lot of time outside logging miles and doing various other things. The highlights include planting a potted garden of veggies, the first fire in our fire pit and s'mores, a hike at the battlefields, visiting the flamingos memorial day parade (during the day and a drive by at night for the lights), a movie night (Zootopia), sprinkler and water fun, and just hanging out doing the regular stuff. The rest of this post is just a photo dump (with some captions)!

Home school Friday

Imaginary play now involves zoom conferences (sets up a Wizard of Oz lunchbox and old keyboard) and take calls on the Fisher Price rotary phone

Our community pool is completely full and looks super nice. Now to find out if they will open this summer...

Flamingos celebrate Memorial Day

First fire pit night

Bringing back the potted garden this summer. I think I have skipped two years, but I am pretty sure we will be home a lot this summer to take care of it. Two better boy tomato plants in this box.

Sweet banana peppers in the terra cotta pots (so sad they were out of hot peppers), herb box with rosemary, sage, and basil, and cherry tomato on the ground.

My gardening helper!

Suggestions Needed

I missed a day yesterday. Maybe because this is now the new normal and it's pretty much just everyday stuff at this point. I think I am going to start spacing posts out a bit more. I do have a couple things to mention from today and yesterday, and I need some opinions!

Yesterday, I finished my first book on Audible. I was listening to Before We Were Yours, which I definitely recommend! I wasn't 100% sure I would be really into an audio book, but I will say that it was more motivating to get out the door to exercise once I was into the book. I didn't like how I couldn't just be reading it whenever I wanted the way you can a paper book. I mean I suppose you could, but if I ever get to read when Quinn is awake, she's usually asking or telling me something every few minutes so that's better for a paper book. Now I want a new Audible book, but they are so expensive! Now I need your opinion on what I should read or listen to next...I still have a copy of Where the Crawdads Sing on my coffee table, but I need more. I also just finished Such a Fun Age, which was kinda eh for me, but still decent.

Quinn reading to her kids.

While you are thinking of books...also think of TV and movie recommendations for us. Yesterday the possibility of Star Wars came up because neither Matt or myself has ever been into it. Quinn and I were shopping online for summer clothes and there was a Yoda shirt she wanted. So random, but then we watched Star Wars clips and she had a lot of questions. So then there's the question of how to do watch Star Wars...what order do you go in?

Star Wars

Matt and I have been working on some projects around our house, and getting various issues fixed. One of the things next on my list is painting our dining area and living room, mostly because I want our living room to be lighter. I need paint recommendations. I think it's going to have to be a "greige" color. Help us, friends!

I think that's all I need in the way of suggestions right now. Our main events the past few days include the regular academics, time spent accumulating steps and miles, Zoom meetings, picking up an order at Target, and returning the power washer. Quinn did get a special gift today, her own watch to track her activity. It also has a chore tracker which I plan to use as well. Oh and I cannot forget that we met the flamingo owner yesterday. She told us the schedule for upcoming movement. Today they are working out at the gym.

Straberries

Today was successful. I willed myself out of bed for early exercise, we did school work and meetings, and we got produce boxes dropped off again. This means I got an in the yard/in the car visit with my people too.

We also went to pick strawberries today! The farm closest to us has their strawberry picking on lock. I thankfully got a spot for us and our neighbor friends as soon as they released the times yesterday. They do not last long. You can to reserve a time slot the day before (limited number available), you have to buy a container (they aren't doing reusable ones), and they assign you a row to stay in. I was still slightly worried about how respectful people would be of space, and how limited the access would really be, but it was definitely safe. Luckily, the weather was pretty great - minus some serious wind at the beginning. Upon arriving home, Quinn ate an entire box of strawberries with a little help from me, but not much. Local friends - get yourself hooked up at Yankey Farms...they have pre-order pick up too!

Flamingos

It was difficult to get motivated this morning. It's Monday. It was pretty gray and cool all day today. I just wasn't feeling it. It was pretty much the same old for schoolwork this morning. We worked on Quinn's stuff (sight words and reading, weather and calendar) first, and then I did my lessons for the week and posted them online, and got through some email.

I have come to really enjoy the flamingo yard in our neighborhood. These people are creative. The are currently camping flamingos. They have camping games, they have a fit pit and smores, camping chairs and beverages, and of course tents. We went to go see them on our walk today. I was also able to finish my power washing escapade, neighbor free. 

Tomorrow should include some helpful info about how to retrieve things from my school, and I guess my move out. We are also going strawberry picking and getting some produce. Should be a good day!

Weekend Nine

This weekend was completely dedicated to outside chores and deep cleaning the house. I finally figure out that Home Depot has curbside pickup last week...and that they will even load mulch in your car. You better believe I jumped on this opportunity. Saturday morning Matt went to pick up my order and we spent the morning weeding and mulching our yard - one of my yearly reminders that I do not need a bigger yard. We also put the borrowed power washer to work that afternoon. We got the driveway, sidewalk to our house, and half sidewalk along the street finished before we quit for dinner and movie night. Power washing is simultaneously the most satisfying and most annoying task. Quinn was about the best help we could have asked for - we basically gave her the hose, a sprinkler, sand toys, and buckets to keep her occupied and she lasted most of the time. She did demand to get her Glinda costume on and do apps for about the last half hour.

Today was much cooler and the goal was to finish the power washing escapade. Matt will get mad if I tell you the whole story here, but I will just say you can't choose your neighbors and some of you may remember a little feud from seven years ago involving cat litter...well today it was the same neighbor and a power washer. End result is power washing will be finished another day. After that was cut short, we deep cleaned the house and then went on a walk down to the creek. We also ate some leftover frozen cake this weekend after all our hard work. It feels like we have almost turned the corner into summer...minus the distance learning job I have found myself in these days. Someone told me this week that we have been out as long as we would normally be off for summer vacation. That is just so unbelievable to me...it seems like this time at home has gone so much faster than a summer off usually does. I hope summer comes with a little more freedom. Let's hope it doesn't rain all the live long day every day this week.

Water

I don't even know where today went. I know I got up early to get miles in before the heat. I know I sat on my porch for a few minutes when I got back. We took a ride to one of my friend's houses to borrow a power washer. We stood around talking for awhile. We came home and Quinn ran around in the sprinkler for a little bit before lunch.

After lunch we had Quinn's ballet and tap zoom. It was summer hot here today, almost 90 degrees, so she wanted to go back in the sprinkler. Mostly Quinn just filled buckets with water and dirt, but I was fine with it because I got to do some reading. I did finally kick her off the hose line so I could try the power washer. I can tell already I do not have the patience for power washing. I mean it's very satisfying to see all that dirt go, but why is the spray area so small? How has no one improved this yet? Wish me luck on all the household projects I wish to cross off my list this weekend.

Grays

Meeting setup with art project set up out of view. Also I no longer use my paper planner, my real life isn't this blank. I was going to use it for taking notes.

Great news. We survived zooming today. We bumped Quinn up a level in her books, and she loved reading her new books. She a big fan of the Bella and Rosie books currently. We did get a good amount of outside time in between meetings. We got to see two sets of neighbors. Among the things I miss the most is talking to people in person everyday, so I was happy to chat with other grown ups. Today I actually washed and dried my hair for the first time in awhile. I was supposed to have my regularly scheduled hair appointment mid-April. While chatting in the driveway with my next door neighbor she asked me something along the lines of...what's that you put in your hair today, on the top. That's my gray roots. I have grays, neighbor. This then prompted discussion on my age. Not much else happened today, except a bike ride/walk after dinner. Tomorrow starts the Virginia heat...which reminds me, they were power washing the neighborhood pool today. Maybe there's some hope!

Sportsy

You will be surprised to know that there was no real 'new thing' to do today, but I did try. This morning I went out early for my solo miles. After Quinn got up we checked a few things off her to do list. We did some geography today...the 50 Nifty as Quinn calls it. Quinn learned the 50 Nifty United States song at school this year, which must have been played in conjunction with the Star Spangled Banner because I use to hear those two songs on a loop for hours at a time during the real school year. There was a point around Thanksgiving and Christmas that if a state name was mentioned in conversation she would pick up and start belting out the song from that state on. I can inform you that she can still name every state even today. We enjoyed putting together her puzzle and talking about the states and and bodies of water. I also taught Quinn one of my own Kindergarten lessons on strangers. We talked about a safe adult list, people she kinda knows, and what to do with people she doesn't know. 

Today was also a beautiful weather day. We took our walk and decided to walk to the middle school that is close to us. It happened to be musical instrument pick up day. The cars would pull up to an administrator stationed outside and give their name. The admin would radio in to the music teacher in the building and that person would bring it out a door down the sidewalk, lay it on the sidewalk, and then walk back into the building. Once they went back in, the car was able to pull up get the instrument from the sidewalk. We also walked a lap on the track and then we ran the bases on the baseball field. 

We finished up the afternoon and evening with a game of war, washing the upstairs windows, making our own sweet potato fries, and a game of Zingo. Quinn's teacher also sent us a slideshow from the school year, so we watched that as well. Tomorrow we have a lot of Zooming on our hands, and it's supposed to be a nice day...not a good combination in my opinion. 

Groundhog Day

Today was a typical pandemic day. Again. There was school work. There was more washing of ancient American Girl doll hair. We played farm. We ate periodically. We went to Patriot so Quinn could ride her bike and I could walk/run. Quinn rode around the parking lot in the front seat of my car. The most exciting part of the day was the continued bird removal from all the crevices of our house, and the least exciting part was paying for it. It was so much the same that I didn't even take a picture today. I think my goal tomorrow might be to do something out of the ordinary. I'm open to any suggestions to accomplish that goal.

Quinn Blogs

Me: Quinn what would you write about today on a blog?

Quinn: I had fig bars. I snuggled with Mommy. I watched some shows. I ate. I did calendar. I walked. I got to wash my doll's hair. We put soap in her hair, but thankfully we washed it out. I ate dinner.

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She's not wrong. And it's 100% Quinn to get those fig bars in as the first thing she remembered from today. The girl loves a fig bar. What I would consider the most monumental parts of her day are the breakfast in bed she demanded and her father gave into, and when she walked me all the way down to the creek (prob about a mile) to her fave spot and then realized she had to go to the bathroom.

That breakfast in bed stunt bought me a lot of time to get my school work done this morning, so I wasn't sad about it. She also sat up there and sang songs to herself and made her bed. I don't know how she got so into making her bed because I do not understand bed making as a thing at all, but go ahead girl. Once she came downstairs we did some learning items for her, and then we did watch some TV.

I joined a book exchange group in my neighborhood and found two books that I have been wanting to read - Such a Fun Age and Where the Crawdads Sing. I'm going with the first one first, and don't worry I disinfected. There you have my main events for today. And in case you're wondering...we made it back from the creek to the bathroom in time. Oh also, Matt caught a bee. It's the only picture I took today besides the 25ish year old American Girl doll hair I tried to tame. Felicity got in at the spa before the rest of Virginia. I suppose that's appropriate since she was a colonist.

Weekend Eight

Weekend eight was filled with sunshine and time spent in it. Both days we walked/ran a bunch of miles. Saturday we went down to the creek for a little bit. Matt made a quick Target run for prescriptions. And movie night was yet another showing of Mary Poppins. I finished reading Little Fires Everywhere on Friday evening, so Matt and I started watching it on Hulu. The book was a good quick read. I can't deal with books made into movies and shows. I don't know why I do it to myself. Just read the book. The show will then annoy you. I'm still listening to Before We Were Yours on Audible and am enjoying that too. 

Sunday was a perfect weather day. Matt and Quinn made me a special Mother's Day book and a future purchase of a fire pit. I think Matt must be getting bored to agree to the fire pit I've said would be fun for a few years now. We made a cheesecake today and made our own pizzas for dinner. While I was prepping pizza ingredients, Quinn convinced Matt that they should gift me a car wash. All day long she had been asking me to help her wash my car, but I told her that I wasn't doing it. Matt definitely was not feeling it either, but I guess she talked him into it. I'll take it. It was a great weekend!

And in case you are wondering...the flamingos graduated this weekend too.