I found a template online for a schedule that you could maintain with your kids during the Covid-19 outbreak, and I modified it to fit with our family needs. So far, the kids have been pretty dedicated to following the schedule, so it has created a sense of normalcy and routine. The kids have workbooks to complete, and I usually have to ping-pong between helping them. They both are very happy and willing to work on academics, which I've very grateful for. I bought Sam a workbook that is for 7th graders going into 8th grade, so it is a little above his level, but I think he likes the challenge. It is a little bit of a challenge for me too - we've been having to look up things like the anatomy of animal cells, and the difference between alternate interior angles and consecutive interior angles.
One of the things that I'm most grateful for is our little breakfast nook, which we only made about a month ago. This table has become the go-to location for most of the school activities and crafts, which has been awesome because then I don't have to clear off the dining room table for meals. I have to clear it off each night from the dozens of crafts that Lucy does each day, but I've been trying to keep a bouquet of flowers on top to add some beauty into the interior of our home while we are stuck inside.
Our first day of at-home academics, on Saint Patrick's Day!
Last week we had unusually sunny weather, so the kids were able to go outside. I've been taking advantage of the opportunity to have them play sports with me. I know that Sam might not ever do a team sport (I've come to terms with that), but I am hoping that these practice sessions will help him to develop his hand-eye coordination. And Lucy seems to enjoy the sports we try, which is promising! On Tuesday we played softball, on Wednesday we played basketball, on Thursday we played tennis. On Saturday we went with J to the driving range, and the kids were able to practice golf.
We've been taking Violet on lots of walks, to try and get some fresh air. One day we went for a walk as a family, and we took turns choosing silly ways to walk, inspired by the Ministry of Silly Walks sketch. One person in the family would walk in a silly way, and then the rest of us would copy that walk for a couple of feet. And then someone else would have a turn. We had a lot of great laughs on that walk together.
On Saturday, I also woke up early to go to the Mount Si trailhead. I met Rachael and Carrie there, and we were able to hike up the trail together (following social-distance guidelines for space). I don't think that we will have a chance to do that again for several weeks, especially since Gov. Inslee has now given a "shelter-in-place" order, so I'm grateful that I was able to get some sun and exercise. I've been missing my regular chances to exercise since the YMCA closed in light of the pandemic.
The kids like racing around the loop at the end of the May Creek Trail
We have also spend time just finding ways to keep entertained around the house. Lucy created a robot costume and made invitations for everyone in the family to attend a robot party. When the time for the robot party came, J tried to help by putting on the music video for Daft Punk's "Around the World." Lucy wasn't impressed with the song, though, and told J that the song was "too long." Ha ha!
It's been interesting trying to get my own work done while the kids are home. Some days are better than others when it comes to my productivity for work. Lucy likes to have a friend around all of the time, and if Sam wants to have some alone time, then she comes to me and I help her set up art projects. I want to be with her, but I'm also needing to get my classes online before the quarter starts. Yesterday I felt like I was interrupted every minute or two, so it was hard to make clear progress for most of the day until J was finished with his own work and could take over. I hope I'm able to do this, once the university quarters start!
This quarter I'm teaching three classes, including one upper-level class that I have never taught before. Like many academics across the country, I anticipate using Zoom. (I'm amused at this image that someone created showing Dr. Tulp teaching anatomy through Zoom!) But I'm only going to use Zoom for one class (the upper-level class), and I'm having my other two classes by asynchronous. I'm able to reuse lecture videos that I have made from previous quarters, which is saving me hours of work during this stressful time, and more than ever I'm grateful that I already have experience with online teaching.
I'm grateful that I have such good kids, and that I have a comfortable and peaceful home to be at during this pandemic. Perhaps when we look back after this is all over, we will feel a sense of fondness for the extra time that we spent together. I sure hope so. I still feel somewhat stressed and anxious, though. I wake up pretty early and can't fall back asleep. And the past two nights, after the kids have gone to bed, I have jumped into some late-night cleaning projects. One night I organized and dusted my bedroom, and then last night I cleaned out the entryway closet, game cupboards, and electronics we keep behind the couch. I'm also eyeing new organizing projects in my closet, the bathroom, and the laundry room. I think that this is one of the ways that I'm dealing with the chaos: I'm looking for things do order in my immediate surroundings, since I don't have order and control in other aspects of my life right now.
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