We were paying attention to what was happening in China, then Italy. Soon there were a few confirmed cases in Washington State and California. Here in Berrien County, Michigan, we were still going about life relatively normally. We were being asked by our school district to wash hands and keep hands off face. Signs were starting to go up on all school sinks to remind us all. We were asked to consider thinking about what elearning would look like, in case of a school shutdown. I was still very consumed with school work, so while I was aware, I had no real clue.
Burke took students to NYC March 4-8. This is around the time the first case was reported in New York. I was truly alarmed, and (mostly) joked that if he brought Coronavirus to SW Michigan, I'd leave him. He told his students to help him "save his marriage." They had hand washing contests, and used hand sanitizer on and off the busses. [For the record, as far as we all know, no one from his orchestra group presented symptoms upon returning from NYC.] It will no doubt be a memorable experience for all. Not only is it an important life experience, to go to NYC, but it was an exciting musical experience, too. Now, it's also punctuated by the nearness of locking down NYC, and pretty much the entire country.
At school, leading up to the shutdown, we had the Variety Show. I organized Science Olympiad. We had second trimester report cards due, parent-teacher conferences, and Maker Day. Here's Evan coding Microbits on Maker Day (3/6) - a day to celebrate and focus on STEM learning.
We also counted Pennies for Patients donations at our local Coinstar machine (3/6). This was a Student Council initiative for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We only counted half the coins. "I'll come back next week to finish up," I thought to myself. Nope. I have tons of coins and dollar donations, just sitting/waiting to be counted. Who knows when I'll get to that...
I took the boys to the high school robotics meet while Burke was in NYC (3/7).
Just in the nick of time (3/12), Evan got his brackets off, and now will wear a retainer to hold this Phase 1 work in place until he needs to start Phase 2.
On Wednesday, 3/11 our district asked us to use our meeting time to design a virtual learning plan with our grade level team. On Thursday, 3/12 @ 11PM, the Governor shut down school effective Monday 3/16. On Friday, 3/13 we all experienced a very surreal school day, as we prepared ourselves and our classes, as best we could, for this extended shutdown, and sadly had to say goodbye for now. I brought home my one plant, shut my room down as best I could, grabbed some items I thought I may need, and left.
It's been just about 2 weeks from that day... We are thankfully healthy thus far, so we are focusing on trying to maintain some semblance of a schedule, stay calm/positive, and make the most of this time together as a family. Our local authorities just told us today, they suspect community spread is now in our area, and we should assume grocery stores, etc. have contamination. So, we take it day by day.
Filling our time... We are flexibly following this schedule, paying more attention to the chunking of time rather than the exact times.
Our normally busy schedule (concerts, tap classes, meetings, etc.) looks like this now.
From Burke's daily sarcasm calendar...
Can you believe this?
Creative Time
Game Time
Outside Time
much welcomed signs of spring
We had a socially distanced visit with my parents, and went for a socially distanced walk with my dad. We are buying their groceries as often as we can/they'll let us.
Our school's PTO Facebook page is trying to connect community by offering spirit days to post pictures. I posted this one on Show Us What You're Reading Day...
We shut down in the midst of Reading Month, my favorite month of the year. Last Friday was supposed to be Fuzzy Sock day, so my class and I posted pictures on a shared Google doc in honor of that day. I'm trying to keep a virtual Reading Month focus with my class.
There was also a School Spirit day on that Facebook group - wear your school district gear. So, we joined in that fun.
Ryan's math teacher posts a problem of the day on Google Classroom. He seems to be enjoying that routine.
Evan's watching some social studies videos and Mystery Science outside yesterday. It was a beautiful day!
More virtual learning...
Projects: We were just starting the process of market analysis, and moving toward putting our house on the market this spring/summer. I doubt that will happen this year (if ever). We were already not thrilled with how much the realtor thought we could ask, and now, home values are bound to go down. Maybe? Anyway, I don't think we want to participate in the home-buying/selling game in the wake of all this. Nonetheless, speaking to the realtor gave us motivation, and now we have time. So, Burke started this big garage project. He's scraping peeling paint, filling holes, sanding, and painting. He has some helpers sometimes. Looks so much better already!
Sometimes we are all stir-crazy and moody, not only Ryan.
Food: Generally, the our food experiences have gone up a notch. Thankfully, Burke enjoys cooking, and now we have time to try new recipes and make ones that take more time than we usually have. Grocery shopping is stressful due to my personal fear and paranoia. We need groceries again soon. We'll wipe things down, maybe leave packages outside, and the shopper will shower upon returning home. I'm am very much of the better safe than sorry mindset.
Here is a food fail - of course, of my doing. I was trying to use up some old marshmallows, and attempted Rice Krispie treats. Haha! They were so hard, and check out the awesome shape. They pretty much went straight in the trash. And that, my friends, is why I cook/bake as little as possible.
One of my better ideas was root beer floats, which I'm pretty sure the boys have very little experience with. Delicious!
Not surprisingly, we've also had a lot of music happening in our house - cello, piano, guitar, viola, drums, and recorders. Burke is giving, and Ryan is receiving virtual lessons. I am doing piano lessons with both boys. Burke and I had some fun figuring out lyrics, rhythms, chords for Islands in the Stream, in honor of the late Kenny Rogers.
To close, enjoy these moments of music.
Stay healthy and safe. XO
