I think it was March 18th we began learning at home. This is definitely a time we will never forget throughout history. Never in my life have I experienced a time when kids were sent home to distance learn, where masks and social distances, shutdowns and precautions are all on the rise due to the Covid 19. The kids are all embracing the change of pace and are rocking it at this version of homeschooling!
Our school was fast acting in getting kids supplies and technology in order to get back to the swing of things as quickly as possible.
Welcome to a household of Zoom meetings around every corner. I had to set alarms on my phone to help the younger children remember when to get back on with their classmates in between other school work.
My time teaching Gavin at home swiftly took a turn. We worked on preschool together and tried our best to balance all that was pulling at my time and attention during this time frame...all while trying to stay safe and healthy during so much on the unknown. My main goal was helping to keep the kids on task and maintaining a stable environment for the family as we went through this together.
I was so pleased with how resilient the kids were through it all.
They embraced more time at home and did so good at school.
It will always be a time we cherish and remember as a family.
The little things we did made life enjoyable. Like this cute little snowman challenge that went around Fairfield People could drive around in their cars to see other snowmen. (Unfortunately, the snow was less than perfect to build and pack down into a snowman, but we made it work.)
Snow forts during some outdoor play!
The girls also went to phone calls for their piano lessons and trooped through.
With the kids around more, we had a few more pranksters and had to be on our toes!
Made me giggle!
Perhaps the icing on the cake was the extended time our family had while doing church at home. We had the sacrament in our home (blessed and passed by loved ones), many good discussions as a whole family, and felt the spirit while embracing this time together and doing our Come Follow Me lessons. I'll be the first to admit that it wasn't always perfect but we all benefitted from this spiritual time in our home. It helped us grow closer as a family.
Snuggling up while ready for church!
The kids's thoughts were so special!
It was lovely!
Bonding time.
One afternoon we decided to head down to Freezeout Lake to take in the sights of all the birds migrating.
It was so cool!
Fun times!
I find it unique that our family calendar actually modeled what was happing in the world around us. It says, "Going back to a simpler life is not a step backwards"...isn't that the truth?!
Warming up with GO Noodle before starting school.
I think for the most part, Gavin loved this time at home with his siblings.
We have been baking and making lots of yummy things to eat at home in the hopes of staying home more. It was a good wake up call when it comes to assessing our current food storage situation.
My little breadstick helpers!
Some more warming up and getting out some wiggles.
The kids were really getting the hang of this way of learning and were making the most of the situation.
The school provided lunches and that was a big help during this time.
It was the perfect timing for a little brain break.
Taylor and his love for peanut butter, lead him to making a batch of cookies.
Kenzie is in art and I was impressed with this art work of hers.
I saved some of their work.
My me time became almost non-existent, as to be expected when so many people were in need of my help and attention.
It was therapeutic to escape on a bike from time to time.
The kids also enjoyed the fresh spring air.
Love these kids!
This is my tribe and I happy to be going through this life together!
Brielle and Gavin prepared an object lesson for our Come Follow Me.
Our church services at home have been wonderful and challenging at the same time, if you didn't think that was possible...I assure you it is a real feeling as a parent to be trying your best and seeing the beauty in this time while also striving to keep the peace in the home as well.
Through all of this, I happy to share my life with these people and I am extremely blessed to be on this journey with them!
Together we have it all and have enjoyed this time spent more within the walls of our own home!
With the Bosch my parents gave us for Christmas (I have often felt like this has been a timely gift to have during the pandemic) I've been doing a bit more baking for my family.
Homemade Buns for hamburgers has become a must have in our household! YUMMY!
Kenzie made an art project for school including things that are important to her. I love it as she included everything from volleyball, tennis, ukulele, biking, food, pictures of family trips, and last but not least the temple. She is a girl of many talents!
The picture brings a smile to my face as it shows how several of us started our mornings before school. It was fun to have a few minutes of GO NOODLE to get moving and energized for the day. Dad even made a few appearances before heading out the door to work. Go Gavin, Taylor, and Brielle!
Fun times!
All this time at home made for more time playing games.
Baking to satisfy a sweet tooth! Taylor trying his hand a cookie baking!
Nerf BATTLES filled my house with stray bullets and laughter as a family.
Gavin is sneaking up the stairs to attack someone.
These kids are such buddies!
Sweet smile...
Kenzie is sure enjoying her time at home!
This was for another art project.
Now Payton is in the kitchen.
This time he made a cake for a school science demonstration.
Cuddle time while watching a movie is some of our favorite things to do!
Breakfast before church for this good looking crew!
These guys are such foodies!
I'll always appreciate how much we all love and enjoy a good meal gathered around the table with family!
More of Kenzie's artwork.
Gavin has been enjoying biking and is doing so well without training wheels.
Way to go bud!
Time to really go biking as a family!
This is a time frame I hope to always cherish and look back with fondness. In my lifetime, these are some of the first times I've experienced mask mandates, some bare shelves at the stores, limited gathering in groups, church at home, etc. I will forever be grateful for good health, beautiful kids, a supportive husband and the best partner to go through these uncertain times together as a family-hand in hand! Counting my blessings!!
