Groundhog Day

{Subtitled: Life in the Time of Corona}

Even though nothing really new and exciting has been happening over the last month, I realized last week, that I really need to capture what our new "normal" is looking like these days!  In some ways, it seems as though we're living the same day over and over again, but despite the outward monotony, I actually think everyone has adjusted really well to our current circumstances and more GOOD memories are being made than bad.  So, that's a big W in my book.  Hahaha.

After sitting down with everyone at family council a few weeks ago, we finally settled on our Quarantine Daily Schedule, and since we all do better with some structure and routine, it's been helpful to fill our days.

Here is the breakdown of our day:

• 6AM -- Seminary via Zoom (not pictured)

Ethan and Grace have still been "attending" early morning seminary the last several weeks and I think it's been going good.  Or at least it's going.  Hahahahaha.  Ethan (speaking of those who thrive on structure and routine) has been getting up every morning still at 5:50 and waking Grace up for the day.  I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but from what I've gathered, I'm pretty sure they're both in their own rooms participating on their chrome books and I'm pretty sure Grace has fallen back asleep while "at seminary" at least half the time.  Maybe more.  I don't really know.  What can I say?  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  ;)

• 7-8 AM -- I'm woken up by the younger boys

Typically the waking up is happening much earlier -- i.e. when they inevitably end up in our bed in the middle of the night, but ever since I've started turning a blind eye to their sneaking on screens in the bonus room when they first wake up, I've been able to sleep in a little bit longer.  Hahahahaha.  

• 8 AM -- Morning Walk

This is one of my favorite times of the day -- with Alex, Jane, and Isaac sneaking on screens, the older girls both still asleep, and Ethan hard at work for the day, I'm able to come downstairs in peace, do a quick clean up of the kitchen, and eat breakfast before heading out on my daily walk with Maxwell.  Luckily, the weather has been pretty cooperative this last month temperature-wise even if there have been several rainy days.  Listening to conference talks while walking around in the beautiful outdoors for a couple of miles each morning is kind of the perfect way to start the day.  

(Not actually on our walk -- but you get the picture.) 

(I had to take him to the vet last week for his check-up and some shots.)

(One of the masks I made.  When I talked to my sister Emily earlier today, I think she was genuinely flummoxed to hear that we've been following strict quarantine for the last month and not only have my kids not gone anywhere or seen any friends since the lockdown started, Scott and I have really only left the house for essential trips like groceries.  I believe her exact words were, "I didn't think anyone was actually doing that."  Hahahaha.)    

• 9 AM -- Scripture Time

It's at this point in time when things get a bit hairy.  Once I'm back from walking the dog, I begin the process of waking Sophie and Grace up (which is an ordeal in and of itself) and forcing the younger ones off of screens.  I feel a lot of pressure to be punctual with our designated start time because Ethan is a busy man and can't be disrupted from his work and routine for too long without it causing added stress.  Hahahaha.  In all seriousness, though, he has so much more work to do than the other kids -- plus he's the only one who tends to helps out around the house without being asked -- that I really want to cater to whatever he needs to be successful with this whole AMI adventure.

(Technically this picture is from Sunday when we tried to wake the girls up for our home sacrament meeting, but rest assured the scene is the same every other day of the week, only located in the family room rather than the piano room.)

• 9 AM-12 PM -- AMI Time

Honestly, this is mostly for Alex and Jane.  Ethan is already well into his school day at this point, and Grace and Sophie are usually still asleep on the couch, so once scripture time is over I put my teacher hat on and get the younger 3 going with "school."  Jane heads up to her room and logs into Google Classroom on her school-loaned Chromebook (Grace and Sophie both wind up there as well once they're finally awake -- which usually isn't until 11 or 12) and Alex sets up camp in the bonus room with HIS school Chromebook.  After setting up Isaac with PBS kids downstairs, I head up to hang out in the bonus room while Alex works in case he needs any help.  In full disclosure, the first few weeks with Alex were ruff.  Baby-stepping him through every. single. assignment. was pretty much the worst torture on the planet.  Thankfully, he finally hit his stride in the past week and has become mostly self-sufficient which is fantastic.  

(I'm not really sure how any work is being done.)

(Ethan has fashioned himself two different work spaces -- this "standing desk" along with his regular desk below.)

(Taking a break from his work.)

(His AP Chemistry exam is in 2 weeks and he's been methodically studying and creating notes for the last month.  I think he's really stressing because the exam format is going to be so unusual this year thanks to the pandemic.  I keep trying to reassure him he's going to do great.)

(For his ceramics class, his final project of the year was going to be a ceramic shoe.  Since that won't be happening anymore, I think he's just going to be graded on his paper prototype.  I was pretty impressed when I saw it, myself.)

• 12-12:30 PM -- Lunch

I realized quickly that I had to designate an actual lunch time or else most of the kids would skip out on food in order to get to screens faster.

• 12:30-2:30 PM -- Screen Time

No explanation needed.

• 2:30-4:30 PM -- Play Time

I think the older ones are rolling their eyes at this segment's title, but that is essentially what I'd like them to do.  Whether they want to play actual games, work on projects, or just do nothing, I don't really care so long as they're not on screens.  Some days are more successful at accomplishing that than others.  

(Isaac has been really into playing Tenzi.)

(Tower Tenzi is is favorite version.)

(Trying to find an old family picture to recreate.)

(The girls were on a sewing kick for a few days while they made some aprons.)

• 4:30-5 PM -- Chores

Truth be told, Ethan is the only one who sticks to this exact schedule of chore time.  And he's also the only one who does his chores every single day.  As Grace and Sophie informed us the other day, they've dubbed him the "Most Likely to Succeed" in our family.  Hahahahahaha.  

• 5- 6 PM -- Outside/P.E. Time

This is probably my second favorite time of day.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing them all playing together and having fun.  And for whatever reason, rather than becoming the witching hour, this time of day has become the trampoline fun hour.  Hahaha.  They've made up a couple different games that I have no idea what the rules are but all 6 kids are involved in playing and having fun and that hardly ever happens so I'll take it as long as it lasts!

• 6 PM -- Dinner Time

• 6:30-7 PM -- Book of Mormon 

• 7PM to Bedtime -- Screen Time/Free Time

• 8-8:30 PM -- Alex and Isaac Bedtime

(Isaac was excited to take a picture with his pet to send in to his preschool teacher to post on their class facebook page.)

• 8:30-9 PM -- Jane Bedtime

• 9:30-10 PM -- Ethan, Grace, and Sophie Bedtime

Whew!!!  And that's a wrap.  Rest assured that there are plenty of fights and fits and freak outs happening that I didn't particularly care to document.  Hahahaha.  There are only 3 or 4 weeks left of school for the year, though, and since our schools are officially closed, we'll be finishing things out with AMI.  I have to say I'm not too mad about that!  Only time will tell if I'll be eating my words in a couple of weeks.  Hahahahaha.  ;)