Quarantine 2020

Looking back at my last post, I can't believe it's been over four years since my last blog entry.  In light of the coronavirus pandemic we're in, I wanted to document some of activities we've done together as a family during this time.

March 12, 2020 was when this all started for us.  We received a phone call the night before that school was canceled for the kids.  Coincidentally, I was already scheduled to work from home, but what we didn't expect was that this would be the beginning of a new norm called social distancing.

What I've discovered during this time is that online learning (or "distance learning," as our town's school district calls it) is not very effective, especially for younger kids. I know the teachers are trying and doing the best they can, but watching YouTube videos as the students' primary form of instruction just doesn't compare to having a real classroom setting experience.  There is no accountability in baby M's class; nothing needs to be handed in to show that they've done the work.  Big sister K's school is slightly better, where they actually take attendance (via a Google form) and have work that they must submit each day to get credit.

Once schoolwork is done, the kids have been spending the rest of their waking hours on their electronic devices.  Take your pick between watching YouTube videos on their Chromebooks, playing video games, or finding a new series to watch on Netflix (they managed to catch up to the current season of The Flash and finish all seasons of The Arrow).  To get them away from their screen time, I've tried dragging one (or both) of the kids out to walk or jog around the block with me in the late afternoon, but am not always successful.

Here are some things we did to keep ourselves busy while homebound. :)

Month of March

Badminton in PJs:

Our make-shift ping pong table:

Wiffle ball in the backyard:

Cornhole:

Month of April

A visit to Thompson Park in Jamesburg before the governor decided to close all county and state parks:

Annual Easter egg hunt in the backyard:

Big sister K's Virtual Spirit Week:

Month of May

Back to Thompson Park after the governor lifted the ban, opening back up the state and county parks:

Baby M's Virtual Field Day (it was raining that day, so we had to bring all the activities indoors):

Made a Jeopardy board on the computer for family game time:

An apology letter from baby M for misbehaving... this just melts my heart:

Teaching the kids how to play MJ:

Kickball:

Slip and slide on Memorial Day:

M finally had time to teach the kids how to ride a bike. So proud of big sister K for getting it right away! And baby M is not far behind. Soon I will be the only one in the family who doesn't know how to ride a bike 😩.

Nerf wars, some bow and arrow fun, followed by a bit of relaxation on the hammock:

Month of June

Baby M concocted a body of armor out of cardboard boxes:

Nothing like a friendly game of nerf wars:

Big sister K gets a haircut:

A surprise visit from baby M's teacher!

Family trip to Bradley Beach: