Our Life in Quarantine, Part 1

While words like essential workers, PPE, social distancing and flatten the curve have become a part of our daily vocabulary, Coronavirus memes, family group texts and Netflix's Tiger King helped us cope through the first couple weeks of self-isolation. 

I ordered some spray chalk paint for art. 

This was Logan's.  

There were four spray cans in a set and I bought one which we went through pretty quickly.

I went to re-order it through Amazon and the only set was an 8 piece set for $184!

I like the idea of kids writing down their thoughts and feelings in all this.

Lots of  games of 21 basketball.

Two nappers (that spot has become a favorite of Chewy's)

Mosaic chalk art

Broken heart for HW (homework)

A letter from Harper's teacher. 

Harper wrote her back. 

Home schooling. 

I'm trying hard but struggling too. 

We did a Friday study of artist Wassily Kandisky

they watched you tube videos on her,  did an artist essay, found and traced circular items, and painted

A few moments of annoyance

Ry needed a little alone time so he played Perfection on his own and then I played him too. 

Dave taught Presley some card magic tricks. 

We played Poker one night. 

Dave won but he gives us our money back. 

Harper Face-Timed her friends and introduced Chewy. 

Chewy snuggles with Logan. 

Another letter, this time from Miryn. 

Such great handwriting!

We worked on a Disney puzzle

and played with Google 3D...

I texted this to Presley.

Lots of great texting with Papa. 

And some dancing in the kitchen. 

Lea's Day-Lea's, Week13 (2020)

Day 85, Wednesday, March 25th

Trying some different things for online school.  

Day 86, Thursday, March 26th

A little chalk art project. 

This took me much longer to tape off than it did for them to color. 

Day 87, Friday, March 27th

We did an artist study of Wassily Kandisky today. 

Day 88, Saturday, March 28th

More Texas Hold 'Em tonight. 

These three didn't want anyone to read their eyes for card clues. 

Day 89, Sunday, March 29th

We started a 1000 piece puzzle tonight. 

(I went to buy a couple more off Amazon and the ones we were interested in were sold out)

Day 90, Monday, March 30th

Puppy Haircut

Day 91, Tuesday, March 31st

Wrestling with a hyper Chewy. 

COVID-19, the first days

Admittedly, I did not fully grasp the severity of the global pandemic, COVID-19 (Coronavirus). 

My first thoughts were distant--this was a virus with no vaccine that had manifested in the countries of China and Italy, and to remember to wash our hands and cough and sneeze in our elbow. 

And then it seemed like it hit closer to home--Washington State in fact--a nursing home in Kirkland had several deaths related to COVID-19. 

But then the kids' awards banquets and band concerts and choir concerts were cancelled and non-business related personnel couldn't come to the schools.  And all social gatherings were limited to 50, then 25, then 10 people.

Then the spring sports seasons were cancelled through April 5th.  The remaining games in Ry's PSPL soccer season was postponed, then fully cancelled. 

And then on March 13th, Governor Inslee mandated the closure of all schools until April 27th. 

And all bars and restaurants were closed (take-out only).

All elective surgeries and dental appointments were halted in order to reserve medical equipment. 

A triage tent was set up at our hospital to treat patients who may be infected with the virus. 

Our Las Vegas trip was cancelled. 

(I know there were other major National and world-wide events that were cancelled, but this is how it effected us)

All of this seemed to happen so quickly!

Here's our first week or so of social distancing/self-isolation...

It was just an odd feeling...we were home all day from school for the next 6 weeks. 

I attempted some home schooling, not sure of what I was doing, with no direction from our school district yet.  

We had conferences scheduled for March 12th and 13th so those days were planned off. 

The kids went back to school for one day on March 16th. 

I hadn't planned to take this picture, but I kind of got worried the night before that March 16th might be their last day of school for the rest of their SENIOR, SOPHOMORE, SEVENTH AND FOURTH grade. 

I ran to Costco to hopefully stock up for self-isolation (there were no Clorox wipes, but I did buy paper towels and toilet paper).

I got there 15 minutes before opening and this is the line to get in. 

It was not chaotic once you got in but it was definitely crowded. 

Rylan and Presley made churros that looked like this!  They were tasty tho!

Ry and Logan went on a bike ride with a group of teens around the loop.  

(It was still okay to be in groups of 20 or less at this time)

Dave's dad needed pellets from Coastal for his grill so Ry helped him pick those up. 

Ry also wanted this hat, but mom said no. 

They drove to Waterville to deliver. 

Kenny Rogers passed away this week so we listened to all his greatest hits. 

We tried to do some schoolwork independently (that didn't go too smoothly).

Dave taught us to play Texas Hold 'Em

Cristy FaceTimed the kids and challenged us to do some sidewalk chalk messages. 

We picked up Chewy on March 23rd.

And memes helped us to laugh...

Luckily, it was nice and springy out and we were able to be outside while keeping distance from others.  

Meet Chewy Nelson

Presley found an ad with a picture in the Sunday paper of a dog that she thought would be a perfect fit  for our family. 

We allowed her to contact the owner and she set up time for Monday to go meet the dog. 

My reasons for not getting a dog have been valid, but in this time of social distancing, cancelled school and events, and no travel, made me rethink that the timing is perfect right now. 

They still had to coax (beg) me into the car on Monday! 

And, like I knew would happen, as soon as I saw him and the kids saw him, he was ours!

Our other name choices were Dash, Bacca (the other half of Chewbacca), and Neves (number 7 backwards).  But the kids liked Chewy the most so that was that.  

(He was called Teddy at the other home)

I mean, is there any other way to get Logan to love this dog? 

Sleeping with Harper

I sent this out on our family text as a possible Halloween costume.

Trying to find a comfy spot at home. 

Harper treats him like a baby most of the day. 

Next to Logan's sidewalk chalk art. 

Trying to teach him to "sit"

All those feet standing around Petco watching to see if Chewy might like this bed a little better than the one we originally bought :)

Playing with Google 3D

While they were at Petco they checked to see if a groomer was working and we were able to make an appointment for the next day. 

Before and After

Welcome to the craziness Chewy!

(After we got Chewy, Amy texted me this screenshot of an exchange between her and Logan--they were in cahoots with each other :))