our little corner of the world

The week of May 24, 2020

We have grass growing! This is very exciting. Scott has dedicated his every waking moment to caring for the beloved grass seed, and it's starting to sprout. I can see a backyard of fun and Andrew is daydreaming about the ways he'll cut the grass.

For all the complaining I've done about the weather, this week was such a gift. A hot, hot gift. We spent Sunday through Thursday in the mid to upper 80's and loved it.

Morgan and I are enjoying round 2 of the books from our neighbor across the street.

School is out for the summer, and plans are starting to come together for an exchange day - we will return school supplies, and bring home all the stuff left behind.

Not much else to report this week. This is one of the few pictures I took, a bonfire getting started in our original fire pit near the river. (The other fire pit currently has the trampoline sitting on top of it)

The week of May 17, 2020

Our week started very wet. It rained all day Sunday, all day Monday, and most of Tuesday. Good for our new grass seed, bad for a family who wants to be outside and has been "staying safe at home" for the last ten weeks.

Andrew woke up one day acting very strange :) He cut the grass. He asked to work around the house. He wanted to vacuum and dust every room, including his own bedroom. He willingly cleaned toilets (his Saturday chore). He even mopped the kitchen floor. I'm not sure what's going on with him or if he's feeling alright. But I am thrilled with his grit and effort.

On Monday, May 18, Governor Whitmer started re-opening the Upper Peninsula and the greater Traverse City region. Finally, some hope for what's on the horizon for the rest of the state. I do, however, think SE Michigan will be the last to begin the re-opening process as we are the most populous region with the highest number of Coronavirus cases.

There are so many things we miss right now. Not just school and friends and routine, but our beloved library system, our church community, and our families. It's been challenging. We've had our low moments, but I wouldn't say it's been hard in terms of sacrifice. After doing this for so long I have more perspective now than I did during those early days.

One the pluses of being home is the ability to observe our surroundings as we have changed from the last of winter into spring, and in another month, to summer. We often gaze out the back windows at creation, seeing a new bird to identify, watching the trees transform, noticing the pesky squirrels. In the beginning of the Safer at Home order, there were so many active people on the path behind the river. Every tease of sunshine and warm air brought people outside and now it's becoming more difficult to see them with the green filling in everywhere. A sure sign of warmth ahead.

We ended the week with glorious weather. It was sunny, warm, and a treat to be outside. A perfect ending to our last day of the 2019-2020 school year. There wasn't much fanfare, just some final zoom meetings and we piled on the couch to watch our principal lead a live-stream closing chapel service.  I forced everyone to the front porch for a last day of school picture, and then surprised the kids with Kool-aid packets, Fruit by the Foot, a new marble puzzle, and some Perler beads.

Next week will be a chance to turn in any make-up work. Plans are still in the works for how we will go about exchanging the textbooks we brought home with the supplies, art projects, and other items left at school.

Also a surprise - a visit by Grandma and Grandpa M. Our annual Memorial weekend plans to visit them didn't happen. With the restrictions and the new grass seed, Scott wasn't so sure about leaving. So G&G came to us on Saturday around lunchtime. Andrew's face was in disbelief. Matthew ran for hugs. And Morgan followed along. So much joy for all of us, it was such a boost to our spirits to have them stay and play with us. Grandpa really has quite a corn hole game!

The week of May 10, 2020

With Scott on crutches from his surgery, the kids have picked up the slack, and they are excelling at it. I've always thought we've been good about doling out chores, but I see that they are more capable than I've pushed for. That, and the fact that we are home 24-7, means they are rocking the extra work. It never would have happened during a hectic school year with sports, piano, etc.

Mother's Day was different, but nice. The kids and I went for a walk in the woods. I was pampered at "the salon" and even had my nails done. I made my own dinner and dessert (and coffee!), but the kids set a nice table with china and cleaned it all up. Scott's parents stopped over for a driveway visit, and we had our weekly Zoom with my family.

Our yard work began, and it was impressive. We are thrilled with how it turned out (click here!) and are now waiting for grass to grow. I transplanted some irises from next door and created a border along the north side of our property to keep a separation between the new grass and the woods.

On Tuesday, the Blue Angels had a metro area flyover to saute front line workers. We met the Phillips and Hardy families in the Aldi parking lot and had a great view. It was short, but it was fun.

After realizing I killed some of the veggie seeds, we started over with cucumber and green beans.

School is wrapping up soon! Just around the corner. I think everyone is excited about that. Morgan has one last science powerpoint to create and the boys just want to make stuff for fun.

Updated 5/14 to add pictures of the straw. It's quite impressive!

The week of May 3, 2020

Backyard grading project started. Post coming soon with pictures

I killed the seeds/sprouts. It's been cold and I covered them all with a sheet and failed to uncover. Ugh. Looks like we will have to replant.

Scott had elective knee surgery on May 7. Dropping him off at the door for such a major event had me a bit choked up, but we prayed before he got out of the car - a good reminder that he wasn't alone for one second.

Andrew decided to start running this week. First day out managed a mile and a half, no problem. He's keeping at it and lowering his time every day.

We've been on a board game kick. It's really great that Matthew is now able to play big-time games like Ticket to Ride and Catan without much help.

I tried my hand at spaghetti and meatballs - definitely a hit.