Day 7- March 20, 2020

Day 7- March 20, 2020

This morning was quiet.  Last night, we gave the kids explicit instructions to PLEASE stay in their rooms if they woke up early.  No more "stay in bed if it's dark, but you can go downstairs if the sun is up".  Because frankly, I am WAY too light of a sleeper and wake at the slightest floorboard creak.  In a house built in the 1890's, that's a lot.  The new rule is keep a book where you can reach it, and if it's light enough for you to read, you can do that.  But no getting out of bed until I come to get you.

They listened (!).  My younger daughter was sitting in her room, reading a mermaid book to her stuffed animals.  I offered her pancakes, but she shushed me and went back to her rapt audience.  Sneaking into R.'s room, I quickly noticed she was nowhere to be found (though her blanket, several toys, a painfully placed Hatchimal, and numerous clothes were strewn about).  I ducked down the stairs and discovered her on the couch, where she gleefully pointed out that she had heard me go into E.'s room, and had taken it upon herself to turn on Boss Baby (the new season that dropped last week). She was eager to partake in pancakes, so away we went.

School this morning was relatively uneventful.  E. was excited about her writing (we shared her "friendly letter" that she wrote to her grammy with Grammy, and got a sweet text back), and eagerly jumped on an assignment to watch a drawing special on Youtube and create her own fish landscape, complete with clown fish (anything Nemo related and the child is happy.  I blame her broken leg when she was a year old, when she watched non-stop Nemo and Monsters Inc. for about four weeks.  It was the only thing that kept her from trying to shimmy across the floor in her cast).

One of my best friends, a nurse who has been working all week, called while I was putting in time sending online resources to some colleagues, and I took my "prep" period.  We were chatting away when I decided to head to the basement to switch the laundry- and promptly missed the railing and slammed my left shoulder and back on the stairs as I made my way (painfully) down them.  The girls, thankfully, heard me fall, and I sent R. running to find my husband upstairs.  Fortunately, if you're going to fall down the stairs during a pandemic, it's really great to have a smart, caring RN on the phone who can walk your husband through a check up to make sure you don't need to go rushing into the fire for X-Rays.

I was really sore, and R. brought me icepacks while E. worked on her homework.  With Mommy hurt, both girls were remarkably self-sufficient on finishing their work, and I'm very proud of their resolve to not fight once while I was stuck on the couch.  Jeff brought me Tylenol, and we spent about two hours watching Kids' Baking Championship and The Great British Baking Show.  We then decided that perhaps this wasn't the best idea when rationing food, when the idea of an upside down tomato cake with tomato jam started to seem appealing.

Once the Tylenol kicked in, I started to feel a bit better, and was able to get up and move around a bit.  This was key, because the weather outside had gone from rainy and dreary to sunny and warm.  I couldn't pass a soccer ball with the kids like I normally would, but Jeff took over, and I got to videotape E. showing off some moves, and enjoy the kids taking on their dad in a game of 2 vs. 1 (he won- he refuses to let them win, but he did keep it close at 5-4, and a few of their goals were completely legit).

I treated everyone to lemonade (happy to have CountryTime mix in the house since we ran out of juice three days ago), and we sat on our front porch while people watching.  A giant Newfoundland walked by, and I told the girls that is what Aunty Coley's puppies, Jack and Bonanza Jelly Bean, are going to look like soon.  We saw a friend of R.'s, and they played invisible catch (this game is really catching on), and my old co-worker/work bestie jogged by with her husband and we sent air kisses.

We did a Facetime Happy Hour with my mom, stepdad, sister Nic and brother-in-law David.  There was much laughing at the kids insisted on doing extreme close ups of their faces, and David and Nicole explained people keep showing up at their house, knocking on the door and wanting to come in.  "We tell them we're isolating, and they keep knocking, or hold up a six pack."  We talked about how so many people up by them, in rural upstate New York, aren't taking this seriously, or think it's some sort of conspiracy cooked up by "the liberal media".  It's a little frightening to think about, that there are still people out there (see Spring Breakers from yesterday) who don't seem to grasp the gravity of the situation.

There was family dinner time (Annie's Mac and Cheese was the star) and then the kids and Jeff settled in to watch Clone Wars.  Today's good news of the day was discovering that Ashoka would be appearing in the new Mandelorian season (granted, who knows when it will get filmed, but we're all rather excited).  This gave me a chance to catch up on writing, and on a new idea I had today, a Facebook Group called #WaldenChallenge.  The idea behind it was what I wrote about yesterday. 

My first post was:
I used to teach my Philosophy and Literature students about Walden by Thoreau, and as a project, they had to answer "What would they do if you went into isolation for a period of time, stepping away from society?" Inevitably, they had books they wanted to read, instruments they wanted to learn to play, languages to learn, art to create. I never really thought there would be an opportunity for such things as an adult- as a college student, perhaps over a summer or between semesters. But I am challenging myself and challenge my friends and former students- figure something out. Take advantage of this precious time if you can. Share with friends- hoping this is a bright spot for all of us! And I hope you have fun! #WaldenChallenge

I figured it would hold me accountable for trying to find positives in this lockdown, and hopefully give my friends, and their friends, and maybe even their friends, a good outlet and wealth of ideas. 

Day 6- May 19, 2020

Day 6- May 19, 2020

Today was a relatively good day. Yes, there were tantrums. I may have threatened to throw a Chromebook through a window. My daughter may have let me, lest cooler heads prevail upon realizing this would be detrimental to both online learning, and keeping the house warm. There are at least 2-3 fights a day between my daughters that escalate into tears, but I'm thinking that is just par for the course. Close quarters, no outside contact, strong personalities- if there weren't fights, I'd fear someone had replaced my children with pod people.

Math was easier now that we are doing the basics instead of fifteen steps. The silver lining to
this whole thing may be the elimination of common core math. It's a gift for the teacher gods. R. couldn't find any vocabulary words in the nonfiction texts she was supposed to read that she didn't know.  She also informed me that the grades 4-6 texts ALSO didn't have anything, and could she please use her new Periodic Table of Elements book to find some terms?  Her teacher was extremely supportive (I emailed him and had a response within about three minutes), and her words ended up being nitrates, nitrites, galleons (full disclosure: I have no idea what their definitions are, though I have heard of them, and Honors Chemistry was the only class in high school where I earned a C for the year- and I mean earned.  I worked my butt off for that C.).

I fully expecting her to win a Nobel Prize when she's in her twenties. 

I hate that ChromeBooks don't scroll as well, or work half the time when tapping the cursor. Then again, I'm comparing them to my MacBook Air, which (at eight years old) is markedly superior. The Spanish issue has been solved as we went to using Rosetta Stone through our public library (bless them for having that option). One of my friends said her son is going to learn from Dora (which is awesome- I remember learning Spanish words from her too).  I'm thinking we'll start watching Miraculous in the original French (aka Miraculous, les aventures de Ladybug et Chat Noir) and then we can learn multiple languages.

Speaking of which, decided yesterday I'm going to devote some time to re-learning French using Rosetta Stone. I remembered back to a lesson I used to teach my Philosophy and Literature class- we would read Walden by Thoreau, and then I would ask the students what would they do if they went into isolation for a period of time, stepping away from society? Inevitably, they had books they wanted to read, instruments they wanted to learn to play, languages to learn, art to create. I never really thought there would be an opportunity for such things as an adult- as a college student, perhaps over a summer or between semesters. But with children and a job? Forget it. Until now.  So I hope to be fluent shortly.  Or at least back to French 5 level like I was senior year of high school.

We watched some quality television- more Zach and Cody.  And we were able to watch The Indigo Girls perform a live concert.  I teared up just seeing how many of my friends, and random strangers around the world, were sending such positive messages during the performance.  In these crazy times, we need things like this to remind us that there is much good in this world.

The news said two people in my town are now infected.  My friend who lives across the street from the hospital sent a video to our group-chat of the line of cars of people getting tests (there were pop up tents that made it look like a really bizarre craft fair).  In the video, the song "American Idiot" by Green Day was blasting in the background, and we all agreed it was apt.  

People seem to finally be taking the social distancing a bit more seriously, though we could still see

self-involved morons on the news talking about how they are on the beaches because they didn't want to give up their spring break trips.  Every one of them was clearly toasted, and I wish for loud noises in the morning, the smell of something awful, and no coffee.  I do not, however, want them to get sick.  I think a terrible hangover would suffice for now (no one should have this virus wished on them).

At a little before five, my friend Rachel who lives in DC texted me to remind me of a Virtual Happy Hour she had created on a Google Hang Out.  It was an odd sensation to get to know a few of her friends virtually, and catch up with her.  We all agreed that it was a good thing to be able to connect to others, especially in this crazy situation.

We ended the day with family snuggle time, watching Schooled with the kids.  Family Snuggle Time is something we invented when we were living with my mom.  We didn't have our own living room, and the only tv in our space was the one in our bedroom, so the girls would come jump onto the bed, curl up between us, and watch television.  Last night, they had to go to bed before Schooled aired, so they were very excited to see it.  They got to learn about Four Non Blondes, and the importance of safety when driving a helmet-shaped car.

Day 5- March 18, 2020

Day 5- March 18, 2020

Today was chaos.  Homeschooling is exhausting.  Being in a house with everyone on edge is exhausting.  Knowing there is not set time when this new world will go back to something relatively normal is exhausting.  I can feel my anxiety mount every time my phone dings with an alert from school (my own or my children's).

There was more homeschooling, of course.  Some things went smoother.  R. completed most of her work without issue.  E. had a blast brainstorming reasons why she recommends loft futon beds:
1. You can turn the bottom into a couch and put all your stuffed animals on it.
2. You can sleep on the top bunk
3. You can hang things down from the top bunk, like vines, to make it seem like you are in a jungle.

Math was simpler now that I've allowed E. to go to simply solving the problems and checking her work by any means necessary.  There was Cosmic Kids Yoga for R., and E. listened to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (with headphones).

We still spent time outside with the kids.  There was a family soccer game, which culminated in changing from the normal ball to a gigantic one two thirds of the way through.  We practiced shooting, and after one particularly high shot flew over our fence and down the sharp cliff behind the property line, I went exploring and discovered the tiny runoff for the nearby brook.  I took E. with me, and we traipsed carefully along, stepping past discarded soda cans, an old holiday wreath and Christmas Tree, and several golf and lacrosse balls.  She was fascinated to see where the water would run when the brook levels rise, and I promised that on a warmer day, we could walk along the trail and see what else there was down there.


I found more virtual experiences for the kids, including a wonderful session with author Ben Clanton, where he drew Narwhal and Jelly from his adorable books.  The girls were happy to have me type in questions and suggestions (E. thinks they should have a mermaid for a new friend), and draw their own sea creatures.

There were copious amounts of "play dates" today.  Both girls had friends who were able to do some variation of FaceTime, which led to many giggles and running up and down the stairs.  More veggies were planted, and more bread was made (we attempted an apple bread that I think needs more sugar, less cinnamon).

I got to spend quality time on the phone with a good friend who also happens to be a vice principal at the middle school around the corner.  We were going over ideas for our students, ways they could continue to be engaged while not becoming overwhelmed.  And we lamented the mommyhood anthem of trying to live up to whatever standards society has placed on us, even in this crazy new normal.  I told her about the color-coded hourly chart I'd seen on Facebook, which had been scratched out and replaced with "try to keep kids alive while also working from home and pray they don't start fighting while I'm on a conference call."  We agreed that at this point, a little math, some reading, and lots of play to maintain sanity for everyone involved.  I realized that adults having connections via voices, and not just texting, is vital to my mental well-being.

I ended the day watching The Goldbergs.  This is television gold.  It's a throwback to when I was child, when mom and dad made me laugh, when television didn't cause heart palpitations, when silliness was king.  I love that it allows me a brief escape from the constant bombardment of terror I feel from the newsfeeds on my phone.  And I love that every episode has a happy ending (except when Barry and Lainey broke up, but that was fixed by Schooled, so I'm okay).

Day 4- March 17th, 2020

March 17th, 2020

Today was rainy and dark when I woke up. I had been dreaming I was in college, and running late for class (which, apparently, I was supposed to get to using a boat). It was 7:30, over an hour later than I normally awaken for work, and I could hear cars occasionally driving by outside. At the rumble of a large truck, I woke fully panicking, remembering today is the first day of bringing our garbage to the curb- and I had forgotten.

My town has a wonderful waste-management company that goes into the driveway, and takes the trash. But in lieu of trying to get people home and out of public spaces as quickly as possible, and give the workers as little exposure to others as they can, this new proclamation has us rolling (or dragging, in the case of my garbage that is missing a wheel) the trash out to the street.  So I rushed out, in full pajamas, winter coat, and hauling an umbrella over my head to try to stay dry, and managed to get the bins to the curb before the truck got to my house.

Then, I returned to begin the daily homeschooling lessons.  Perhaps I should mention that I've been a teacher since 2008.  Three years ago, I jumped to being a librarian, and worked in an elementary school for almost two years.  Now, I am a high school librarian- I deal with tech daily, curate resources, lead online learning, and still.  STILL.

I navigated major tears over here because the %&# Pearson math book online had two identical answers- but only one of them was right! And the box with the illustration for the problem - wait for it- covered up half the answers- so you couldn't look at it while decided what was correct. This is the argument for using paper and pencil to do math... Meanwhile, E. was on the floor freaking out because she had to use a number line, and just wanted to solve things using normal math (carry the one, subtract using normal "old fashioned" math). We took a "mommy-mandatory" time out for food, ate a snack and regrouped, and all I could hope was to make it through the rest of the assignments.
It's taken me two days, and I've undone Common Core.  While I admit it may work for some, the idea of replacing one system because it didn't work for everyone, by forcing another system that does the same thing (forces kids to use something they don't understand) is not a good substitute.  Let kids experiment with both, but if something works, and they like it, let them stick with that.  Don't say "oh but here are five other alternatives that you have to learn as well.  You figured out one that does, go with that."  If something works for you, go with it.

The physical education assignment for my third grader was "work on your locomotor skills - go outside and practice walking, running, galloping, skipping, jumping and hopping!" However, it was pouring- so instead, my oldest was in her room, and it sounded/felt like the ceiling above my head was going to collapse in a heap of drywall and energetic legs.  The Lego Challenge followed, with both girls creating rockets (each with windows- E.'s showed an astronaut, and R's was hollow, with pieces inside that moved when you shook it.  "To show gravity", she said.

The sun eventually started to slice through the clouds, and since I was going stir crazy (to say nothing of my children), I forced the family into the backyard to run around.  This turned into a walk around the block, where we were able to drop off a birthday present for a neighbor, along with her girl scout cookies (everything was left a driveway away, and she walked over to get it while we crossed the street).

One of my favorite memories is that while chatting across the street (#socialdistancing), my kids took it upon themselves to begin playing imaginary catch with their best friend, who lives a few houses away.  The girls giggled and leapt, creating the illusion of dramatic grabs.  Several houses away, two of the neighborhood boys did the same.  The sight of this "new normal"- no actual contact, but still interacting and socializing- was still a beautiful thing.  Hope finds a way.

Back home, there was some videochatting with friends and grandparents- our glimpses into the lives of others, and the joy of seeing familiar faces.  I'm grateful we live in an age where such things are possible.  We had a family snuggle fest to watch Frozen II (which caused multiple bouts of crying- my own- damn you Disney for making beautiful movies), and got the kids to bed by reading a mermaid book to E. and the kids' version of How We Got To Now by Stephen Johnson to R. (each night we read a section- she's fascinated, and I'm glad because I read the adult version and love this book!).

Watching Cheers to unwind (thank-you Netflix) rounded out the day.  When it doubt, go with the comfort show.

Day 3- March 16, 2020

March 16, 2020

This morning I woke to sunlight streaming in through the window.  It was muted because of the curtain, but still bright and I smiled, because normally, I wake up on Monday morning in the dark, since I need to leave for work by 6:30 AM.  I know the reason that I'm home is a pandemic, but the extra sleep and sunshine are bright sides I can look to at this point.

Creeping out of the room, I found E. curled up in a blanket on her floor, reading Ivy and Bean: Doomed To Dance.  Considering this is a child who, until this year, cried and did everything possible to avoid books, I take this as a win. 

R. was on the couch watching The Suite Life of Zach and Cody (again- I think this season has 789 episodes- currently, they are on a futuristic oceanliner in outerspace and Mr. Moseby has a robot doppelganger.  I love this show, but they may have jumped the proverbial shark).

First up was eating breakfast (cereal with milk from our already-dwindling supply), and calling the girls' Grammy to wish her a happy birthday via Google Duo.  Videochatting isn't the same, but there was a round of "Happy Birthday" singing, and of course, silliness.

There was some eager anticipation as I loaded my computer and clicked open today's assignments from their teachers.  Fortunately, reading was first, so both girls were calm and quiet, happily lost in their stories (R. is re-reading Eleanor Roosevelt is In My Garage- an autographed copy I bought from the author at the 2018 NJASL Conference, and E. is still on the Ivy and Bean book). 

After that it was a schmorgesborg of frustration with some of the technology (My cursor won't move!  The page won't load!).  There were some difficult moments as I tried to alleviate both kids' anxieties while not losing my own head reading emails from work and conversing with a librarian colleague on the phone.  I'm grateful for my librarian training, because it helped me with fixing Chromebook issues, knowing how to find additional eBooks (their school library has a limited supply, but I know how to get them from the town public library, which opens up LOADS of possibilities).

Oddly enough, the most frustrating part of the homework was actually for my second grader, on an art project where she had to fill in frames with things she is grateful for.  She loved the idea, but the frames were tiny, and she wanted to add details and make them perfect.  Alas, her perfectionist goals and her fine motor skills were not cooperating.

I eventually sent R. upstairs to work on the first day of a 30-Day Lego Challenge (she's building a rollercoaster design).  Both girls reaped the rewards of technology with virtual play dates with friends.  They also got to go on a virtual field trip to the San Diego Zoo, where they were super happy to see baboons (and baboon butts). 

There was a family soccer game, and excitement at simply being outside, and not cooped up in the house.

There is massive fear among friends as the reality of the "new normal" sets in.  Companies are cutting back hours, and people are nervous about layoffs. There's a shiver running through the texts I read, that this may continue, that we aren't prepared.  It seems like forever ago when I was worried people would think I was crazy for pulling my children out last Wednesday, instead of waiting for the Superintendent mandate that finally acquiesced to closure on Monday.  At the time, it was a gut reaction- we need to stop this now.  I don't want to wait the extra days, I don't want to go to work myself (even though I did.  Even though I hid in my office and was washing my hands literally every time I touched a surface or a pencil or a Chromebook).  I'm still nervous that exposing myself to my school on Thursday and Friday was a bad idea, but I'm new and was worried about taking the days off.

As it went, I took off Monday with the blessing of my administration (who I am so grateful for) because my town went to lockdown status.  We are using the next two days as "snow days" and go live with teaching on Thursday.  I'm just grateful right now to be in our home, to have my children with me, and to at least be on the cusp of spring, since I can't imagine how awful this would be if we couldn't go outside.

Day 2- March 15, 2020

Day 2- March 15, 2020

We started off the day with snuggles while reading the kids' version of How We Got To Now by Stephen Johnson.  It explains innovations from history, and how they changed the world.  We were wrapped up in my grey velvet comforter, stuffed in between squishy pillows, and if not for the constant dinging of the group chat on my phone (two people in my town were just diagnosed, and three others are at the local hospital, for a total of five people hospitalized a few blocks from our house), it would have seemed like a typical Sunday.

I came downstairs, and began making pancakes.  Jeff was working with the plantings again, and E. was watching Zumbo's Just Desserts on Netflix.  He had already fed the girls cereal and soymilk (I noted the cartons were getting lighter), so I decided to go for the leftover pancake batter.  In an attempt to add "fresh" fruit, I took a handful of frozen blueberries from the freezer, and rinsed them in hot water until they were at a temperature that would allow the batter around them to cook, instead of oozing purple out the sides.  I mixed them into the batter, and set to pancake making 101.

Jeff came in and we talked about how there are now confirmed cases in our town, and that towns around us are calling for full quarantines and curfews.  It seems like every hour, there's another group shutting down.  The local parents board is full of fury as people lament that teens and college kids are treating this like a homecoming reunion, that stores are still packed, and people are commuting left and right.  People are using social media to beg the government to step in because people can't be trusted to control themselves.

We calmly discussed that there may not be a quick ending to this, that the quarantine could last, and we could find ourselves in a situation where stores shut down, and the government is delivering rice and beans to the masses.  It's a far-fetched, dystopian idea- until it's not.  While neither of us wants to be alarmists, this is the new norm, cautiously realizing that there are dangerous possibilities ahead, but also hopeful that cooler heads will prevail, and if we can curtail this, everything will go back to a reasonable normal in a few weeks.

But if months go by, people haven't socially distanced enough, and hospitals are overrun, suddenly all this might not feel so crazy.  I hope I read these words in a few weeks, and nod my head thinking "thank God we avoided this".  I'd rather take an abundance of caution right now.

R. touring the Van Gogh Museum

So we have decided to somewhat ration our food.  No, we're not limiting totally, but if we are full, we can put aside leftovers.  If we can stretch something, we will (I froze the remaining broth from the Progresso soup I made yesterday, just in case we need it in a few weeks).  We're eating the food that will spoil first, making conscious decisions to be mindful of what our bodies need vs. what they want from habit (I don't really need a 3 pm snack if I eat lunch a little later, he is going back to intermittent fasting).  The goal is for the kids to not even realize we are doing this.  We want them to be safe and healthy, and blissfully unaware of the chaos in the world right now.



I joined a group on Facebook called "Distance Learning Ideas" yesterday evening, and have been posting online resources for kids, and adults, including links to virtual field trips, Facebook Live events that are coming up (I'm hoping to catch one on Oceanography and Marine Mammals tomorrow), and videos.  R. took a virtual tour of the both the Musee D'Orsey and the Van Gogh Musuem (I jumped in on both).  She was fascinated by being able to "walk" through the halls, and read the plaques as pop-up windows.

Recreating an epic Star Wars battle

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of cleaning out the garage, going through old bins of toys, decorations, and deciding what to keep and what to give away.  I found blow up light sabers leftover from R.'s birthday party last year, and the girls spent the better part of an hour pummeling each other with them, and running around the yard and the playhouse out back.  There were soccer drills, this time involving cones and dribbling.  We created another loaf of bread from scratch (thank-you breadmaker), and watched some quality television post-dinner (Zach and Cody, The Suite Life On Deck).

Checking in with friends via messenger on Facebook and group texts was also consistent, as by late in the day, our town declared a Proclamation of Local Emergency, shutting down parks, school playgrounds, and urging people to stay on their own properties.  I almost feel better now, that people are starting to take this seriously.  I have anxiety, and it's been through the roof these last several weeks as I had to go to work despite not wanting to for fear of this virus spreading.  Being able to be home with my family is giving me some semblance of calm, and I'm hoping we are all okay!

Day 1- March 14, 2020

March 14, 2020
I spent much of this morning cleaning.  And I mean cleaning.

The floors were mopped with Murphy's Oil Soap, so my whole house smells lemony-fresh, like some 1980's television commercial.  I disinfected every doorknob and light switch, and cleaned the counters.  I then painted over a spot in the living room from where the electrician opened the wall a month ago to install a switch for our new recessed lights (it's been on my to-do list).  The laundry, which we have been trying to do religiously, finally shrank down to a manageable mini-pile (I always think of the trash heap from Fraggle Rock when I look at it- most days, I half expect it to start chatting with me in a sweet old-lady voice).  The girls' rooms were vacuumed and dusted, and all clutter found a place (some of those places were recycling and the garbage, but I digress).

E's boat

The kids rediscovered Legos.  I had put the bin in the attic months ago, when we had the floors redone (our tenants' pets had done a number to the original hardwoods and they were so old, we had no choice).  After carefully ducking to avoid the ceiling nails (no insulation under the roof, so the nails come right in), I had retrieved the large plastic bin, and the tiny plastic pieces were sloshing around as I made my way to the guest room.  Within an hour, R. had crafted a giant version of one of the Lego people, and E. had made a boat with a kitchen, triple bunk bed, and ladder.  Considering E.'s obsession for rearranging her room, create unusual homes and vehicles with Legos, and her desire to always work with Jeff or myself when we are building something (a greenhouse, a bar, a shelving unit), I expect her to someday have her own HGTV show.  That, or she's going to be on the US Women's Soccer Team.

We made fresh bread (something we plan to do daily, since we aren't going to the supermarket until April).  Jeff purchased copious amounts of baking products a few weeks ago, when it started to look like being quarantined was inevitable.  Knowing my love of gluten, flour was a large part of that acquisition.  I started using the breadmaker we received for our wedding twelve years ago, something I used to do all the time, and rediscovered about a month ago when I unpacked boxes from our move home.  The girls love watching the yeast bubble and hiss, and the dough rolling around the bread pan (Ella decided it looked like a fat hamster last week, and I now can't think of it as anything else when I check on it.  We have named all dough balls Humphrey).

Jeff has been planting seeds for the spring.  We have all sorts of sprouts coming up in our sunroom, where rows of upcycled cans, egg cartons, and containers now house spinach, beans, tomatoes, and more.

I spent some time on the computer (as one does), posting resources I have curated over the last few weeks to Facebook and sending them out to friends.  I'm attaching them below this post, so that others can remember some good options while stuck at home.  The main thing was the idea of using the online resources that libraries offer- check your hometown library's website, you might be surprised by all your free online movie, book, and music options!  Librarian rant over.

The girls spent much of the late afternoon outside playing soccer.  The air was cold, but the sun was bright, and I could hear laughter through open windows. I went outside to play with them, and lost a close contest, 10-9, which resulted in a piggyback-ride-turned-falling-down-gigglefest for the girls.  We worked on shooting drills after, which E. has been focused on for her travel team.  She's extremely proud of her ability to hit the goal from distance, and occasionally kick it OVER the goal (yesterday, she even sent one up, over the goal, over the fence, and down the sharp hill into our neighbor's driveway.  That resulted in some very loud celebrating).  She's seven, so I'm hoping that eventually, she realizes putting the ball into the goal is more impressive than sending it over the goal.  Until then, she plays a lot of defense anyway, so being able to kick the ball high and far with one touch is a major asset.

And in proud parenting news, we only yelled at the kids once*, after we had spent 15 minutes of intermittently reminding them gently that they needed to go outside.  They had been on their Chromebooks for school, checking out their assignments for Monday, and asked for time to start on a few of the online suggestions, like playing Prodigy Math.  We had allowed it, but after they put down the computers to run upstairs and change for outside, they got distracted by the aforementioned Legos, and needed to be sat down and read the riot act.
*twice.  I started writing this earlier, and then bedtime happened, and there was much Lego playing instead of teeth brushing and pajama changing.

Overall, a good first day.  I'm hoping others are faring well, and that we all can stay healthy, calm, and happy as we weather this storm.

Good Online Options for Learning:

Local libraries have a TON of online resources. Go to your library's home page, and you will discover a ton of options.  In my town, we have Rosetta Stone (learn a language), FREE movies and music through Kanopy and Hoopla (also has tv shows and audiobooks), ebooks (thousands- for your kids AND for you), and magazines (over 250 of them). 

Second, Scholastic has twenty days of interactive lessons and fun activities for kids, which are divided up by grade levels:https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

Third- if you have cable, you can probably download the app for a number of your stations, log in, and then see a slew of back episodes of shows.  We've been watching Kids Baking Championship a lot using Food Network's app, and it is GLORIOUS.  My kids are inspired.

For the athletes among you (or your children)- I got my daughter a Dribble Up soccer ball for her birthday, and it's a ball with a chip in it, and goes along with an app so she can do drills using a phone, ipad, or tablet.  Here's a link if you are interested:  https://dribbleup.com/products/smart-soccer-ball. They also have a basketball.  And of course, if it's nice out, head outside and practice :)

Finally, Youtube has a USWNT Soccer channel.  It's free, and has games (FULL LENGTH GAMES!) going all the way back to 2012, when my kids were babies.  This direct link should work (or look for USWNT Soccer channel)  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEuAiCKLH5F86is1N9QgW-Q. I've watched several with E. since we discovered this a few weeks ago, and it's a lot of fun (especially seeing some of the players who have retired when they were in their glory days).

Batten Down The Hatches

It's been a while since I've had the time and energy to sit down and write.  I lost a business, started a new full-time job as an elementary school librarian, lost that job (reduction in force), and then found myself in a stellar new librarian position at a high school.  We moved in with my mom (when we lost the business), moved back into our house after two years (two weeks after I lost the elementary school job), celebrated that we could stay in our house (when I got the new job).

And now here I am, with (finally) my librarian endorsement completed, a job I love, and the Coronavirus changing life as we all know it.

So as my family battens down the hatches for two weeks (my children's school is closed through March 27th, and mine through April 11), I thought I would start to document my activities, to "bear witness", as my great-uncle would say.  After each great (and I mean that by life-altering, not necessarily good) event in America, we look back at where we were, and what we were doing.  History books will judge the leaders, society will judge the rest of us, but it's the little personal stories in between that we will remember. 

That is where I am writing from- a place of wanting to remember these weeks, perhaps the only ones in my life where I will get to work from home with my children underfoot, but with a remarkable amount of "free" time.  We are not planning to leave our property until the girls have to go back to school, or I do.  We have stocked up on food and (yes, we were lucky) toilet paper and cleaning supplies.  We have internet, clean water, and heat.  And we have video chat options on our phones.

I'm a school librarian, and while I will spend my school days checking in with teachers, answering questions and working with administration, and doing work that I can do remotely, I am going to document less of that, and more of how my family reacts, what we do, and how we celebrate life, by taking these steps to maintain the world around us.

Social distancing is going to be hard.  Not running to the grocery store, not seeing friends in person.  But the quality time with my kids- that's a blessing.  Praying and hoping we all stay healthy- that we have somehow avoided exposure over the last few weeks as there has been a halting response to actually halting school and activities.  If not, I fear for what happens if one of us does get sick.  But if we can pull through this without becoming ill, then I am hoping the next few weeks will be a wonderful bonding experience.  I'm trying to think on the bright side. 

10 Girl Power Books To Celebrate Women's History Month

For lessons on girl-power, here are 10 books for primary school children that center around female protagonists who are ready to take on the world:

1. Kristy’s Big Idea by Ann M. Martin (Apple Paperbacks, 1986)

Kristy has the brilliant idea to start a babysitting club with her best friends, Mary Anne and Claudia, and their new friend Stacey. Cue pranksters, energetic toddlers, and petsitting misunderstandings, and you have the recipe for a classic.  There are secondary plot lines involving Stacey’s diabetes, and Kristy’s mom dating Watson, which are both dealt with in realistic, but delicate ways. The lessons of friendship, loyalty, hard work, and entrepreneurship endure, and there is a new, graphic novel version of the book available as well by Raina Telgemeier, which makes for a great comparison of original lit vs. graphic novel.  The first book in one of the most beloved series of all time.

Reading Level: 3rd-5th Grade

2. Ada Lace - On The Case by Emily Calandrelli, Illustrated by Renee Kurilla (Simon & Schuster, 2017)
This is the first book in a new series that takes classic sleuthing, and modernizes it by using math, science, and technology to solve mysteries. Ada (whose name is an homage to Ada Lovelace) is Generation Z's version of Nancy Drew, and she is set on finding out who stole her neighbor's beloved dog.  With the help of her eccentric neighbor Nina, Ada uses her knowledge of all things STEM to solve the case.  As an added bonus, author Emily Calandrelli has a “Behind the Science” section at the end that explains some of Ada's science and sleuthing items, and how they are used in real life.

Reading level: 1st-3rd grade, STEAM themes

3.  Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras) by Asia Citro, Illustrated by Marion Lindsay (Innovation Press, 2017)

This is the first book in a new series about a little girl with the power to help heal mythical creatures.  When Zoey discovers her mom holding a glowing photo, she learns the secret that mythical creatures come to their barn for help.  When her mom has to go away for a week, Zoey (with the aid of her cat Sassafras, and her "thinking goggles") uses science to help baby dragon Marshmallow.  Young kids will love the handwritten science journal entries Zoey keeps on her dragon patient, and the glossary of definitions at the end will help children learn scientific terms (much  in the vein of the Fancy Nancy books with vocabulary words at the end) .  Reading level: 1st-2nd grade, STEAM themes

4. Goldie Blox Rules the School! by Stacy McAnulty, Illustrated by Lissy Marlin (Random House Books for Young Readers, 2017)
After Goldie literally sends the second story of her school into Mars, and the mayor shuts down The Blox School, Goldie heads off to her first day at HiBo Prep, a school for gifted students that her mom is now a teacher at, and that doesn't take well to Goldie's creative genius. So Goldie and her Gearhead friends set off on a mission to get the Blox school reopened, and get Goldie away from the tradition of excellence and order that she keeps disrupting at HiBo Prep.  Filled with humor, inventions, and crazy ideas, this book is sure to inspire young inventors as Goldie works with her friends (each of whom has a special talent) to get the Blox School reopened- only to realize that sometimes the best way to make a difference is by not fitting in. This book is based upon the Goldie Blox engineering toys that encourage building, and is chock full of zany adventures, Rube-Goldberg-like inventions, and science experiments gone wrong and right that are sure to inspire young inventors and creative minded kids (especially the ones who always seem to make a mess of everything).
Reading level: 2nd-3rd grade, STEAM themes

5. "Grace For President" by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Scholastic, 2010)

When Grace Campbell finds out that no woman has ever been president, she makes the bold proclamation that she will be the first one.  Her teacher, Mrs. Barrington, decides to hold a mock election to introduce her students to the election process, and Grace is up against Thomas Cobb, a boy from the other class who calculates that with more boys than girls, all he has to do is appeal to their gender to gain votes.  But when the votes are calculated, will Grace and her hard work be enough to overcome gender stereotyping?  With lessons about the electoral process, and a sly nod to feminism and equal rights, this is a book with a great lesson about being the best person for a job.

Reading Level: Picture book, Grades 1-3 (a perfect companion to lessons on the election process)

6. "Ladybug Girl" by Jacky Davis and David Soman (Author/Illustrator) (Dial Books, 2008)

Lulu, aka Ladybug Girl, is upset that her brother and parents are too busy to play with her.   Determined to show she is not little, and is in fact a strong, independent person, Ladybug Girl heads out with her trusty sidekick (her dog Bingo) on adventures involving saving ants, conquering puddles and fallen trees, and proving she can do anything she sets her mind to.  A story about being proud of who you are, this book uses sophisticated, creative language to introduce children to the idea that with a little imagination and gumption, you can do anything. 
Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades K-1

7. “Twinderella” by Corey Rosen Schwartz  (Author), Illustrated by Deborah Marcero ( G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2017) 
In this re-imagining of the classic “Cinderella”, Cinderella, and her lesser-known twin sister, Tinderella, still live with their mean stepsisters and stepmother, but Tinderella uses her knowledge of fractions to divide chores, food, and even their bed.  While Cinderella still wishes to be queen, and the girls’ Fairy Godmother appears to make them royal ball-ready, it’s Tinderella who uses math to come up with the perfect “happily ever after” after they both spend the evening dancing with the prince! This book speaks of kindness, the power of love, and how math can help you solve real life problems- and find your “happily ever half-ter.”

Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades 2-3

8. "Part Time Princess" by Deborah Underwood, Illustrated by Cambria Evans (Disney-Hyperion, 2013)

A twist on the classic damsel-in-distress, this princess is a normal girl by day, but at night, is a ruler of a far away land who understands that dragons and trolls can be best dealt with through kindness and compassion, instead of swords and fear (a powerful lesson some politicians could do well to learn).  This book is for anyone who has dreamed of living a double life, and using their powers for good.  With subtle lessons of empathy and understanding, this book also brings in elements of creating your own happily ever after instead of waiting around for someone else to save the day (one of the best lines is "I even dance with a prince.  Maybe I'll marry him when I grow up, but right now, I'm too busy").

Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades K-1

9. “Pirate Girl” by Cornelia Funke, Illustrated by Kerstin Meyer (Chicken House, 2005)

This is the tale of Molly, a little girl who is sailing aboard a ship to go visit her grandma.  When the Horrible Haddock pirates come aboard, she tries to hide, but is captured, and the pirates decide to hold her for ransom.  But little Molly refuses to give her parents’ names, only saying that “if I told you my mother’s name, you’d be so scared, you’d cry like a baby.”  The pirates laugh and put her to work, thinking she’ll crack.  But in secret, Molly begins sending messages in bottles, and when her mom does show up, it will be the pirates who are in for the real surprise.  A tale of adventure and fearlessness, “Pirate Girl” is sure to delight children who know that their mommies will be there for them, and together, they can conquer anything.

Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades K-1

10. “Rosie Revere Engineer” by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by David Roberts (Harry N. Abrams, 2013)

Rosie is a quiet inventor who dreams of becoming a great engineer like her great-aunt, Rose. When her first big experiment fails, and her uncle laughs at her, she determines to give up on engineering.  But after overhearing that Great-Aunt Rose’s dream is to fly, she makes up her mind to give it one more go.  A story about learning that failure is the first step towards success, “Rosie” is a perfect book for teaching resiliency to budding inventors.

Reading Level: Picture Book, Grades K-3, STEAM themes