Day 19: Covid-19/Social Distancing/Self Quarantine/"Shelter in Place"

We are currently on day 19 of all of the above and I still can't even believe this is what life looks like for us right now! It seems so surreal! And while it would be easy for me to look at all the negatives, we really are thankful for so many things: John being able to work from home, all 5 of us continuing to be healthy, all the family time, our 10 acres and spacious neighborhood....just to name a few! The kids are doing a great job with our new routines and understanding why we can't be at school, play with friends, etc. I'm getting out about once or twice a week to grab groceries and pick something up to bring home from a local small business (I cannot imagine being a small business owner right now!) and it looks like the weather is on a warming trend so we will be able to be out much more than we currently are. Our days mostly consist of a little school type work in the morning and some exercise, lunch, alone time in the afternoon to rest, play in rooms, read, draw/color/etc and then some art projects and free play before dinner. After dinner we've gotten to play outside some more when weather allowed, had movie nights, played games, etc. I have taken on the project of organizing every nook and cranny of the house and John has began yard work and barn cleanup. We honestly can't say that we are really THAT mad about not being able to go anywhere, because we have kept plenty busy!

Mellany started remote learning today! I was a little apprehensive about it at first (mostly because I was just unsure of what it was going to look like--just like everyone else) but she is going to do just fine and her teacher is amazing! She was so excited this morning to see her teacher's face and to be on a video chat with her gym teacher and some friends; I think it was really refreshing for her!

For now, we are hanging in there and doing well. When the time comes that we can "get out" again, the Barretts will be (cautiously) ready!

Some exercise time....we love GoNoodle!

A really pretty sunset I caught one night

At Menards...I thought the kids would get the biggest kick out of this guy riding the floor cleaner :) 

School Activity: Parking Lot. Each kid had cars that needed to be placed. into the correct parking space. 

More school activities 

"Riding" the rides at Disney

Taking a drive to Rural King to pick up supplies....

Working on fixing the yard from the geothermal loops that were placed last fall. 

Wooden people art activity. I'm pretty sure John had the most fun! :) 

Exercising with mama

Meeting our new niece Emberly!!! 

Small group "Chat".....we can't get together physically, so this is definitely the next best option. 

Winston sure does love having John home during the day.

On my recent trip to Walmart, I thought I'd try to grab a few more hand weights....this is what the racks looked like! Everyone must have had the same idea! 

More school activities...(I think this was the day Mellany had decided she needed to work in her room.)

The vet is closed except for emergencies, so Winston go a haircut courtesy of John. 

Mellany does bodypump with me every Tuesday and Thursday...the entire hour workout, including using actual weights....she's amazing! 

Marshmallow and Toothpick construction activity....another one where I'm not sure who loved it more...John or the kids...

Johnny decided to help me clean and organize! 

The kids have been playing "school" a lot....they pack lunches, carry their backpacks to the basement, have recess and specials and Mellany teaches them certain things on the art easel. It's the cutest thing and makes my heart so happy to watch! 

Working on sticker books

Another Art Lesson: We watched a video on sloths and then painted a sloth. Charlie didn't want to paint, but Mellany, Johnny and I really enjoyed it! 

Remote learning....Google Hangout with her gym teacher and some friends. This social girl was in heaven! 

FaceTime with Simon....Charlie's face cracks me up!

Dumpster getting delivered to finish yard/barn cleanup....The boys didn't miss a single part of it. 

Coronavirus: Before & During...

It's basically the only thing anyone is talking about and the only thing on the news....the Coronavirus. It has slowly crept it's way over to us and like a bomb, it has arrived. We are making do as best we can given the circumatances. I've been putting lessons together with the help of teachers and Kelley (thank goodness for her motivation!) for the kids to do throughout the day, I've created a schedule for us to go by and are hoping to have a "field trip" into town soon. We couldn't be more thankful for our 10 acres and barn for the kids to run and explore when we get cooped up. 

As of right now, schools are cancelled until April and all major activities are canceled until the end of April. We aren't sure if we will even resume "normal" life at that point. I've also canceled my trip to KC to be with my dad during a procedure he is having done....which could end up getting cancelled via the hospital anyway.  The hope is to prevent the spread of the virus by "social distancing" and quarantine in homes. I'm just hoping that it doesn't last till Summer....but I have a feeling it will unfortunately get worse before it gets better. Until then, we are lysoling and Clorox wiping our mail and packages (because apparently the virus can live on these materials for up to 2 days!), and only getting out and about when necessary. 

Before we started social distancing.....

We "farmed" legos

The boys finished up their soccer season

Charlie had a visit to the doctor because I was convinced he had strep throat....(he didn't)

We got Happy Meals! 

We snuggled with Winston

Johnny's class took a field trip to a STEM lab and had the best time!! 

We made brownies

Had another field trip cancelled....

Took a bus stop selfie for John 

Painted at our Women's Paint Party at Church....(this was the young ladies table) 

Mellany lost another tooth!

Snuggled some more with Winston...

Worked on homework... 

Took some selfies...

Watched morning TV ....with the "Barrett Face" :) and Johnny pretending to sleep

Mellany had a dentist appointment....

The boys had haircuts...

And then the "social distancing"/community shut down/quarantine began.....I got this text from John and I knew it was only a matter of time before our schools closed too. 

I made a quick trip to the store to pick up essentials for a several day stay at home, thinking I would beat others to it.....not quite....Diapers/Wipes. toilet paper, paper towels, bleach products, pasta, and most of the bread were all gone! Never seen anything like it! 

Quarantine Day 1....the basketball goal ended up in my kitchen...

Day 2....We watched church via facebook live...(thank goodness you don't have to have an account/be signed in to watch)

We also took a field trip to John's office....knowing nobody would be there

Day 3/Monday.....I blew the kids minds when I pulled out my worksheets/activities for them....pretty sure they really thought we'd be on 3 week break during the school year...hahahaha! We had some worksheets, made play doh creatures, and recess was outside on the gravel pile. 

Winston has not a care in the world. I think we are all wearing him out being at home all day!

Day 4/Tuesday.....St.Patrick's Day.....We sorted lucky charms, completed a few more fun worksheets and watercolored. We also took a much needed walk! 

With all this crazy going on we are so thankful for so many reasons....that John is able to work from home and we still get a paycheck; that I can be home with the kids full time and still go through school work with them and they don't have to be shuffled around; that we are all healthy; that we have plenty of room to RUN!; that ultimately we know GOD is in control and he is good all the time!