April Happenings

Another month of quarantine yet another busy month with more fun times :). We are hanging in there, have a good groove going on schedule wise and just accepting that we can only control our attitude and we are sure trying to keep that positive!  Ashley is staying busy with creating dog houses for Toby, writing letters, riding bike, painting, teaching Toby how to open doors, eating and trying to grow taller than her brother, making new birthday signs, becoming the bubble champ, shooting hoops, lots of reading in her comfy spots she designs, scootering, helping with Daddy's garden, including Bitty Baby, taking Toby for walks on the 'beach' and taking lots of pretty pictures.

Trevor isn't the biggest fan of pictures but he sure stays busy too.  He complains about riding his bike long distances but goes anyway, loves craft projects, tolerates our nightly walks on the golf course, is quite the pyro like his Daddy, isn't afraid of turning on the fireplace to warm up while on his iPad, loves the trampoline, is a great baker, likes crazy fun lunches like everything all one color, spends a lot of time across the street with puppies Howie and Lulu and flying kites.  We have amazing kids who take things in stride.  We are blessed!!

COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS STATS

Today is Sunday,  April 26, 2020.

- We are at 44 days of social isolation.

-  Gas is $1.20/ gallon or under in Arkansas

- Schools have been closed since mid March and are teaching remotely on-line.  This will continue for the rest of the school year.
- Brian is working from home (most corporations are!)

- There are lines / tapes inside the stores to keep people 6 feet apart.  We mainly do grocery pick-up once a week to avoid stores.  

- Bars and restaurants only for home delivery and  pick-up.

- Parks, beaches and walk-in places are not accessible to the public.

- All sports competitions have been cancelled and dance!!!! :(

- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned.

- Weddings, family celebrations and birthdays have been cancelled. Funerals limited to 10-20 people.

- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays!

- Young kids can’t understand why they can only see grandparents & other extended family and friends on a screen or thru a window if someone visits in person.   

- Hugs and kisses are not given.

- The churches are closed or online.

- No hugs or kisses outside our family of 4.  With other people we have to stay 6' apart.

- Shortage of masks and gloves in hospitals.

- There are fewer ventilators than there should be.

- People are wearing masks, some places even REQUIRE that you wear them to enter!  People are even making their own masks for sale or donation to medical facilities!

- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person.... IF you can even find them!

- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything.  (24 hour stores are even closing by 9pm)

- Store check outs, pharmacies and even fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between employee and customer. Have to reach around or under to pay!

- You can't find isopropyl alcohol easily. .. supply per person is limited.

- Australia, USA and Europe have closed their borders.

- No one is travelling for leisure. Airports empty. Tourism has the worst crisis in history.
- The number of positive COVID tests, hospitalizations, ICU cases and deaths are reported by day for each state, county.  Governors give live daily updates.

Why do I post this?

To remember.  A reminder that life is precious & that nothing should be taken for granted. We are where we are with what we have. Let's be grateful. (Posted on Facebook by someone anonymously, edited for us on here)

Apr Zoom Call Parties and other fun!

We tried to do better in April with connecting with friends and family with Zoom and better we did!  Some fun online games with friends Megan and Brad, calls with Grandma Pauline and Papa John, 'House Party' games with the Roslansky crew and lots of puzzles and Spinners in our off time.  Quarantine life is making us slow down and that's a good thing :)

Apr Virtual School

Mrs. Hillins distance learning school is in it's groove since the school made changes after that first horrendous week of waaaaaaay too much school work!  Now they do literacy on Mon and Wed with Math on Tues and Thursday.  Every day they have Lexia and Dreambox and some specials.  Trevor is very independent in his work - he is in a race to get his done right away.  Ashley needs more help on focusing but doesn't need Mama too much to help with reading and understanding assignments.  We have to say that her reading has really taken off since quarantine!  Still haven't found that perfect work spot but they are doing great.  We are proud of them!!  And so thankful for Nana and Papa Steve school which is pushing both of them and helping Mama get a little break to do her work.  Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

Only once so far have they had to write sentences and that was due to inappropriate behavior during lunch!!  LOL

April Virtual Dance

Ashley's dance studio All That Dance started up virtual dance lessons and boy was she excited!!!  She just loves dance and her teachers and it was a good break from school work!!

One day they posted a choreography challenge on Instagram and Ashley was all about it, creating a catchy dance to Rolex.  They got extra credit for including a family member so of course she chose Toby!

And guess what?  She won for Fan Favorite so Mrs. Meghan dropped off a Chick FilA gift card and t-shirt as a prize!

For one dance class they did a fun scavenger hunt collecting things like hat, sunglasses, leotard, old dance costume, winter jacket, etc.  Then they had to put them all on and dance around.  What a hoot!!!  Glad she can have some sense of normalcy during this crazy time!