Broccoli harvest 1

The broccoli in the garden is starting to bolt with the quick change in temperature. So we harvested a first round of broccoli. Calvin quickly washed and then ate all the broccoli. We also got a hearty third harvest of sugar snap peas which the kids also devoured. 

New recess equipment

We invested in some new recess activity equipment. A new trapeze bar and ring set arrived. It was easiest to install it in the front yard and be low enough that Calvin can jump and reach the rings.

So far it’s been a big hit with the kids. And now they both can get some of their upper body exercise that they miss by not being able to play on monkey bars, jungle gyms, and other playground equipment. 

To do list

So, we had something on our to do list that wasn’t that critical, we didn’t wanna do it, and it was gonna be dirty. We had to move green debris from the little container (that the trucks won’t pickup) to the big green waste container. 

Solution: PE, daily chore, outdoor activity, and learning about nature! With teamwork they got it done pretty fast. 

A gamer?

So there has been an increase in screen time in our household. While we don’t allow TV on weekdays, they do play games on their school computers. And Calvin has now figured out how to set up, changes games, and play the Nintendo Switch in personal mode (not multi player or on the TV). He can only play it on weekends though. Of course the weekend means exhaustion for me and Nick and more screen time for the kids because we aren’t spending the day at soccer and baseball games.

And so, Calvin has become quite the gamer. I have to say, I’d rather he play video games than just sit and watch TV. 

Is is recess yet?

Sometimes Fridays are hard.

Cousin time!

Cal and ellie got some FaceTime in with cousin Frankie. Calvin couldn’t stop talking about how Frankie stuck his tongue out at him...because he copied Cal! Ellie just said he was so cute and adorable.

Pool Day

Temps got into the 80s today and the sun was out. Kids got their homework done early and had a pool afternoon. 

PPE

Today I drove my car. Saw people I am not related to in three dimensions. And ventured into downtown Los Angeles. 

I had to do a site visit to ongoing construction. 

It was excited, invigorating, and scary at the same time. 

Plus, I got to use all parts of my PPE set. I have to say, when you can only see people’s eyes through safety glasses on a site, it gets complicated to tell people in neon apart. 

Covid-cuts

Last week Nick declared his hair was too puffy and he needed it cut. Cals hair was looking a little too shaggy, and Ellie had some massive tangled resulting from split ends. 

So I gave everyone Covid-cuts. We got trimmers for Nick and he wanted it all buzzed off. Although I think i have enough practice I can give him more shape and length to like his regular cut once it grows out. 

After about 35 minutes of snipping carefully at Cals hair, he decided he was done. And then on a Sunday, after 8 minutes I was able to even it out.

Ellie was the easiest. A little trim off the bottom and double check that it was even and done. 

He figured it out

Calvin realized that he doesn’t actually have to get dressed anymore. He isn’t gonna leave the house...so today he decided there was no reason to get dressed.

I, on the other hand, was a guest speaker for a university class at the University of Oregon (virtually of course) so I got dressed, put on makeup and did my hair. 

We were quite the pair today.

We are here, in our quarantining

Calvin was so bored he decided to sharpen pencils sitting on the couch...without the TV on or any other external stimulus.

We are at the sharpening pencils, alone, in silence point of quarantining.

Virtual classrooms

Yesterday Ellie had her third virtual meeting of her class. It was still full of “I think you are muted” and “please mute yourself we hear your dog barking”. But she loved seeing her teacher and her classmates. 

Today, Calvin had a virtual meeting with six of his classmates including his bestie. His spirits were thoroughly lifted and he loved every minute. It was a long call and he was running around showing off their forts and his Legos and his room. I missed most of it because I was on a call. 

Master fort building

The kids again decided to build forts in the back yard. They are definitely getting better at this activity. They also tried to convince us that they should sleep outside including Calvin’s rationale that “in case of an earthquake he needs to be prepared to sleep outside”. Nice try kid.

Master Builder

Calvin and his LEgos. We got a few hand me down sets from a friend/neighbor yesterday and he has been enjoying the increased quantity of “ransoms”. Ina edition a set of 1500 Legos that we bought him when we first got quarantined finally came (backorder and delayed shipping from a LEGO). Good thing they keep him busy for an extended time. 

Today, he made some bad choices in the morning. He used his quickly developing master builder skills to make me a note.

We also got some Frankie FaceTime time