Quarantine-ish Chronicles

Going on over 7 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Corona virus is still very prevalent right now. We are now starting to have friends test positive and seeing more of it on a personal level. While most schools across KY have started going back to in person classes, Fayette County has not yet, and we are still doing virtual school. Ainsley has zoom calls 5 days a week, and 3 of those days she gets together with her “learning pod”. Parker is diligently (ish) working on his schooling with me, Nanny and Gramma. Masks are part of your outfit these days and staying 6 feet (or more) away from people is the norm. 

A little girl started playing with Parker at the park the other day and he stopped and asked her "Do you have the Corona Virus?" I laughed but then I also got sad at how this is his norm right now. 

Ainsley is still doing gymnastics and gets better every week. She works on the beam, bar, trampoline and floor. 







We had two days of fall break, where the kids stayed at Nanny Pops and were beyond excited to do this. Philip and I went out to dinner and then took a spur of the moment trip to the boat. I finished a book while he fished, we grilled dinner and took a boat ride while the sun set over Lake Cumberland. 



We went to the Cincinnati zoo and saw all the animals. 


We have been big into American Girl life and not gonna lie- I am loving it. 



Parker was very insistent that we decorate for Halloween and Philip took him to Party City to get some festive things to put up (big mistake). They came home with this scary red skeleton that now hangs and swings in our front yard. We also have skeletons bones “buried” in our yard and spider webs all over our bushes. I've never seen Parker so excited and he says Halloween is now his favorite holiday. 



We painted pumpkins with the Burton’s and Parker emptied two jars of glitter on the concrete in an attempt to shake onto his glued pumpkin.

Ainsley has lost 2 more teeth, for 8 total. I think shes questioning the reality of the Tooth Fairy but also likes getting money so hasn't pushed it. 

Parker is doing so well at soccer and has finally learned how to go after the ball. The weather has turned colder so practices and games aren’t quite as enjoyable as a spectator :) 

We are doing our best to stay safe and keep our family safe, while also trying to live life. I have been reminded many times lately that while we don't know what the future holds, we know who holds the future. And our family is so grateful for that promise. 

Quarantine Chronicles

September has gone by quickly so far. We stayed holed up for 4 months and then all of a sudden we semi re-entered society and its been a shock to our systems:) We are still in a global pandemic, but trying to find ways to do things safely. We started off the month by cashing in on Parker's bday gift from Nanny & Pop, and seeing Jurassic Quest, drive through style. Parker loved seeing all the dinosaurs and anxiously waited for his favorite, T-Rex. 

We did an adult boat day as an early bday celebration, and we had the best time. It was so relaxing and just fun. The girls got me a cookie cake and some other goodies and we floated, swam and laughed all day. 






Ainsley is in a little "pod" with two other girls from her class. Each of us moms takes one day a week with the girls. This has been life saver for all of us. They sit at the table together, on their head phones, and do school together. They pack their lunches, have recess then come back in to do their specials and independent work. It is amazing how well they have adapted and the technology they are learning through virtual learning. Now if we could find a way to keep Parker occupied... :) 





We celebrated the Derby and Grape Grandmas birthday while the MI family was in. We all drew horses and cheered them on. Grandma won the pot and was so happy to receive the rose necklace! 



We have had lots of good cousin time in Gtown, and we said our goodbyes to the Wilhoite pool, until next summer. 

We also said our goodbye to our neighborhood pool. 

Parker has been doing really well at soccer and has the best cheerleaders. 


Mom and I took our annual birthday shopping trip to the outlets and I love all of my things. It was a little different with masks, limited people in each store, and no food court, but we still scored the deals :)

Parker got to join in on the pods science experiment :) 

We took a little hike. 

And Parker has been working diligently on his letters. 

We are trying our best to be safe in all the things that we do, but also doing what's best mentally for all of us. Such a weird time to be alive and so thankful for the many blessings that we have had through it all. 

2DL

2020 is just full of surprises and new adventures. Due to the pandemic still spreading, the public schools in KY have opted to start school virtually. Ainsley had a "drive through open house" where her masked teachers talked to the kids while they remained in the cars. They were handed a bag of text books, papers, folders, and chrome books. Google classrooms have been set up by every teacher, and expectations of wearing real clothes, no eating, staying muted and "zoom etiquette" were gone over. 

So the first day of school this year looked way different than it ever has. The (only) plus side was that I got to hold her hand and be with her during her first day jitters. And that first day was ROUGH. She cried at least 4 times. Spanish is so hard to do over zoom, with audio cutting in and out. And we got kicked off of zoom several times and she was panicked she was going to be in trouble. We finally just had to close the computer and pray the next day would be better. which it was. 

Today she took a virtual field trip to the space center, and Parker wanted to see space too. 

I pulled up a chair for him and let him watch. 

Parker also started "school" of his own. He is focusing on letters, numbers, and writing. He is earning stickers and I am trying to fill the very large shoes of Mrs. Fardo, who Parker adores and misses terribly. Keeping him occupied and quiet while Ainsley is in class is difficult but I am so thankful for a nanny/grandma who can help with this. 

I told him he had to wear clothes to school and he came down in this. pick your battles. 

We have also re-entered the world of sports. Ainsley started gymnastics at a new place and her first class was an assessment of her skills. They moved her up to Division 2 and I think this is going to be a really good place for her. 

Parker started soccer and while he is the smallest on the team, he has had a really good attitude and is trying really hard. I am proud of his "big five year old attitude". 

While doing school at home is not ideal, we are trying to make the best of the situation. I am trying to take it a day at a time and remind myself I did not go to school to be a teacher so I can't expect to just know how to do this. The teachers at Liberty have been beyond amazing and even her specials teachers have made each day a learning opportunity. I am so grateful for her school and I am so ready to get her back in the classroom where she will learn so much better and get to be with her friends. 

For now we will enjoy the weekend and tackle Monday when it comes!