Wow. How quickly things can change! The last time I updated we had no idea we were headed for a global pandemic. I wanted to do a quick update because this is such a monumental time in their lives, I want us all to be able to remember what it was like.
We spent the past 2 weeks mostly in denial, trying to figure out what was going on and what our new "normal" would look like. We went from planning a trip to Colorado, to canceling a trip to Colorado; from planning to a potential school shut down the week after Spring Break, to an immediate school closing beginning the Friday
before Spring Break and we aren't sure when it will end.
The first week had very little structure or routine. We spent the beginning of the week making a leprechaun trap and thinking about St. Patrick's Day.
Showing off their leprechaun trap (don't mind the surf boards...)
They didn't catch a leprechaun but they did get some loot!
On St. Patrick's Day we went on a scavenger hunt around our neighborhood for shamrocks
Other than that, we enjoyed all the toys we already have, did lots of art projects, reading, movies, and played outside a ton.
I've now been reading all these blogs or articles on activities for toddlers. Eric is pretty particular about what he will and won't try. But this one was a huge hit -- I wrapped puzzle pieces in foil. He then had to unwrap them and solve the puzzle.
Another hit has been pom-poms.
And blue tape/construction paper track and tunnels
Stickers
Dress-up and imaginative play are also favorites
And we love magnatiles
We bought a bouncy house...
And went on 1 million walks/bike rides/scoots/skates a day
Rain or shine...
We did the chalk art that swept the internet
And a few science experiments (soapy finger repelling pepper in a bowl of water and painting ice cubes with salt to melt them and find the treasure hidden inside)
And anything with water is always a hit around here
Matt and Olivia have rekindled a love of games. Every night I put Eric down and they spend about 30-45 minutes playing board games or poker.
Matt's work was CRAZY trying to deal with the looming shut-down of business, so he was on the phone or working all day (and many late nights!). As for me, my work has slowed a little which is obviously a huge plus in this uncertain time. It allows me to give most of my attention to the kids. So the kids and I were basically on our own. I am able to work during Eric's naptime and I gave Olivia various projects (reading, crafts, etc) to do while I worked.
One unexpected perk Matt and I have been enjoying nightly happy hours and the new option to do "alcohol take out" from restaurants. After a long day, a curb-side margarita is a welcome treat!
The second week I added a bit more structure and tried to have some actual learning opportunities for the kids with books, science experiments, etc. I ordered a TON of stuff from Amazon, trying to purchase things that would keep their attention for more than 10 minutes. My bff Kate came up with an awesome projects -- her girls, Olivia and a few other girls around the same age all researched an "unsung woman hero" and presented a 5 minute oral speech on it. Olivia chose Cynt Marshall and did such a good job. I was so impressed with all the girls.
Olivia seems to be doing well. I know she misses social interaction with her friends but we have had a few car play dates where one friend drives to another's house and we scream at each other from 6 feet away. And she has done a LOT of group FaceTime. She and her friends started a "book club" -- I'm not sure how much reading gets done but I know there is a lot of giggling and she always comes back seeming refreshed and happy.
She has tried some of my online exercise classes
Her teacher did a Zoom conference with their whole class and I think she really enjoyed that. I expect we will do more of those going forward.
Behaviorally, she has honestly been such a joy. She is responsible, helpful, easy going and pretty resourceful. Olivia's outlet for working through anxiety is doing something creative and this is no exception. She has been baking, raided the art supplies, written 10 books and is constantly asking me if she can go on YouTube for some project. She baked The World's Biggest Chocolate Chip cookie for her half-birthday!
She and Eric have also bonded in this very extreme and, frankly unexpected, way. He has gone from being annoyed by her, to being completely smitten with her.
Several naps/nights, he will cry for her to come get him. Our new compromise is that she can rock him while he drinks his bottle. I mean.....gah!!
He always wants to be wherever she is -- asking us if he can wake her up in the mornings, and sobbing to sleep with her at night. He thinks everything she does is hilarious and lives to make her laugh. It usually is accomplished through some ridiculous act of violence ("No bed! Lets punch mommy Livia!") or vulgarity ("Livia! I will toot on mommy's face!"). Although I'd prefer different forms of humor, I appreciate the effort. This is such a unique time in their lives -- pre-pandemic they didn't really "play" together a lot. On school nights, Olivia was consumed with homework or extra-curricular activities and on weekends, the 4 of us are usually together and historically, he has wanted mommy over anyone else. But, this new forced togetherness has allowed their relationship to flourish. Their favorite game to play is "Goodnight Livia" where "Daddy Eric" puts "Baby Olivia" to bed. Of course Baby Olivia gets up 100x with some ridiculous need and this just cracks Daddy Eric up! I love this little game and am so happy they're getting this foundation in their relationship.
Eric has also been loving this period. Matt commented when this all first started that if Eric was home with me alone for an extended period of time, then he would never want to leave my side again. And, this has basically proven true. The first weekend I got a horrible stomach bug and/or food poisoning. Matt kept the kids all weekend, while I quarantined myself in our room for fear I had COVID or something else contagious. Eric basically cried for 24 hours for me. It was so sad. But other than that, he's attached to me the entire time. He always wants to be held and when I tell him to just walk or stand by me, he will respond "No mommy! Hold me! Holding is great!" I tried to tell him "Holding hands is great!" but he wasn't having it -- he informed me that "No!! Holding
bodies is great!" You can usually find Eric attached to me (literally) whether that is holding on my leg or arm, while I'm cooking or dragging me to the couch to cuddle with him. And I'm not mad at all about it!
His teachers sent some lessons for me to work with him on. As soon as I try to teach him something, he will immediately get a smirk on his face and begin calling me "Teacher Mommy." He usually then raises his hand and asks something off topic ("when is show and tell?") or something aimed at getting a laugh ("What kind of habitat does a cow live in?" "Your bottom!"). And at some point, he will get bored of the entire thing and walk away or insist that its his turn to be the teacher. SO, not sure how much actual learning will be done over these next several months.
I have tried to follow his lead and teach him things he seems interested in. My wonderful in-laws have been sending small toys/books/etc for the kids. They sent a Dr. Seuss book with rhyming words so I taught him about a rhyme and he really liked that and now when I put him to bed, we rhyme for several minutes while we rock. He also learned about opposites and has sort-of grasped the concept. The other night we were doing opposites and I said "Full." He looked at me curiously and I expanded "Like a bucket full of sand." He nodded and then said "Ohh..okay! No sand!"
We have also had to be careful about what we say around him because we didn't realize how much he was picking up on. One day he asked if we could go to Southwells for grilled cheese and we told him no because it was closed. He responded "Oh. Because of corona virus?" just like it was a common reason for a store to be closed. We didn't even realize he knew the term, much less that it was the culprit for all the closings!
Two big hits have been Live Facebook or Instagram videos that are music related. The first is a Live Chapel with his teacher at school. He sat intently and sang all the songs and listened to the story. The second is similar - Song Time with Emily Arrow. Both have been great time-fillers during this.
Probably the most unexpected joy to come out of this whole thing: a family running club. One morning, everyone woke up in a bad mood on Saturday morning. Matt suddenly ordered everyone to get dressed because we were going for a family run. After some moaning and complaining (including from me!) we all begrudgingly agreed. We only ran for about 15-20 minutes but we all LOVED it. It was short enough to not be super tiring, but just long enough to clear your head and make you feel good! That night, Olivia asked if we could do it again. And, for just about every day for the past week, we have done Family Run Club 2x a day -- before breakfast and after dinner. We take turns running with Eric in the stroller and everyone loves it. The kids have been noticing nature - flowers, bluejays, robins and, of course, Eric finds a million rocks along the way; and we have been discovering new paths and short-cuts in our neighborhood. I would really love it if we could continue this tradition post-quarantine.
One funny story: one day I had a Zoom meeting (like a virtual meeting where we could all see each other) with my bosses. It was about 2.5 weeks into quarantine, so it had been about 2.5 weeks since Eric has seen me wearing make-up or with my hair done. When he went down for his nap, I showered, fixed my hair and put on make up. Then I had my meeting. Afterwards, Eric was awake and playing with Olivia in her room. I went in and Eric took one look at me, got a huge smile on his face and said "Oooohhh!! You put maakkkeee upppp onnnnn!" in the cutest little sing-songy voice you ever heard. Liv and I cracked up and this sweet little button.
I am not sure what to think about this whole thing. Part of me knows we are living in a bubble right now. We are really lucky to have health and the privilege to work from home and be able to take care of our kids. But I have a very real sense that right outside our little bubble, the world will look completely different after this is over and that death/sickness may creep into our circle. That is a scary and sobering thought. But, I'm really trying to view it as an unexpected opportunity for unlimited playtime with my 2 favorite kiddos at an age when they are super fun and sweet. I think that Olivia especially will always remember this and I want to make it a memorable, not miserable experience. We have always had a really close relationship with the kids and my hope is that this experience will strengthen it in unexpected ways. I know for sure, there is a LOT of love in this house. After the first week, I got really sick one night. We aren't sure if it was a bug or food poisoning but for 24 hours I was basically in bed (or in the bathroom). One of the first signs of corona virus is digestive issues, so we were slightly concerned and knew-no matter what this was- I should be away from the kids. Talk about a tough 24 hours -- the kids, especially sweet baby Eric-- were so sad not to be with me and poor Matt had a hard time with Eric crying most of the day for me. Luckily, it passed quickly when I woke up feeling better the next morning, this is pretty much how we spent the rest of the day.
