Quarantine Mixed Bag #4

Indoor activities edition! 

Hello friends! Welcome to another scattered blog post that is a bit of a mess, but is justified by me calling it a “mixed bag.” Today’s mixed bag is about all of the things we’ve been keeping busy with when the wind is keeping us inside. That being said, there is zero order. So, be ready. 

First – the kids.

Waverly’s newest word is “windy.” She’ll come in from outside, hold her hands up to me, and cry “windyyyyy!” She’s been knocked out of chairs outside, thanks to the wind. Laela has also had the patio door whip into her hand and gash her open. My poor kids. SO many bandaids already this Spring! 

During the inside times, we listen to a lot of music, and the kids read almost constantly. The middle boys will sit and look and books to no end, and Laela and Dekker will commandeer the recliners and tuck away for hours. My old Family Circus comics are a big hit, but Dekker cracked out “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” and loved it so much! He wrapped it in less than two days! I’m SO excited that he’s into full blown chapter books now! 

The kids have been colouring a lot, as have Cher and I. She printed off some awesome colouring pages she found online for them, and we’ve been enjoying them alongside! Besides colouring, our kids have picked up Skipbo! Brady and I play it pretty regularly as it is, and we’ve convinced Cher to join us, though she hasn’t played Skipbo in years. My mom joins too, and she was the one who discovered Laela knows how to play! Since Laela learned, she has been teaching Rowan, and while Dekker doesn’t love card games, he knows how, too, and plays along often enough. It’s SO fun! 

When all of the usual go-to’s are played out, the kids resort to chanting “Mets Featherbottom” while marching through the house. 😳 No, I do not understand why, but its true. Its LOUD. 

As for us adults, we’ve been rolling with basic life stuff, but far more diligently than usual! I’m cooking a lot more, trying new recipes that are actually going over really well! Just today, we made a yummy cookie dough dessert, and some home iced tea. Neither are hard jobs, but they’re things I wouldn’t normally prioritize. Tonight is taco night, and I’m not scrambling. Meat is already made. Woot! 

We’re also cleaning a lot more, trying to stay on top of things better than I used to! I’m trying to diligently put as much away as possible so I don’t stress out over clutter and mess. I’m trying to stay super extra on top of dishes, tidying off the island top, keeping the fridge empty of old leftovers, the floor as swept as possible, etc etc etc. Finally bought a toilet brush for the basement bathroom, and a couple of nail brushes to get the garden off of my hands at the end of the day. These are all such standard things, but if nothing else, this break all together is an excellent time to fall into some good habits. 

I’ve been crocheting and knitting again, which I’m really enjoying! I’ve missed being creative, and now that my hands are back in working order, its a relief to be able to do a little here and there. I have a few other projects I’m thinking of and have the materials for. Just have to find the time! 

During all of this inside time, we’re still responsible for our garden and flowers! We’ve put up the appropriate cages and stakes, covering tall things so the wind don’t get them, watering, poking at, and trying to maintain what we’ve worked so hard for! 

None of this makes any sense 😆 Hopefully you follow a little. Its a busy time, but in a good way. Its bananas, but I’m not mad at it!