First week of Kindergarten

 Silas started kindergarten this week at Richmond.  Unfortunately, it's still all distance learning and likely will be for the foreseeable future.  He really misses being able to go to school, and Daphne still talks about Eagles Nest and big girl school with Muchacha.  I feel so bad for them missing out on so much....  

New Wheels!

Our neighbors across the street have been cleaning out their garage and brought over some old tricycles their kids were done with.  Silas and Daphne both had fun riding them around the yard, I think Silas really misses the bikes they had at Eagles Nest and getting to ride them.

We have recently learned that Eagles Nest will be closed for the entire 2020 - 2021 school year.  That was hard to hear,  I was really hopeful that she would get to go and learn as much as Silas did there.  I think she would have even been in the same class as Leona and Lilly, so would have been an easier transition for her.  I'll try to arrange some small pod play dates for kids her age so she can still get some socialization.

Richmond will be starting full distance until the governor approves opening schools.  For that to happen, I believe the county needs to be off the Covid watch list for at least 2 weeks.... probably not going to happen this year.   Allison is looking at arranging some regular group activity which would be good.  I just realized today that school formally starts August 26th.... so different than I imagined it would be.  I see how much Silas loved Eagles Nest and I know he would have loved kindergarden too.  I feel so bad for them both, missing out on so much.

Summer Days

We've been trying to make the best of being home.  We're all ready to go back to "normal" but with the COVID numbers increasing so much everyday, that likely won't happen any time soon.  The announcement was made today that schools in LA county won't be able to open in the Fall.  I'm sad they won't have the school experience, but also glad that I didn't have to make the decision on trading their safety versus education.  I hope the distance program for Silas has something to offer, and Allison is looking into coordinating a teacher for a small group.  At least now we have a little more time to plan and know what to expect.

We've still all managed to stay healthy, which I'm very grateful for.  But we're all definitely under more stress and all snap at things easily.  We really do need to figure out how to make this work longer term.

It hasn't been too hot this summer, fortunately, but we've done a few water table and water balloon days.  Steve did a great job leveling the yard and we are trying to grow grass.  Maybe by the time that is ready, we'll be able to use the slip n slide. 

Preschool Graudation

This week was the last week of preschool.  Not quite how we pictured it would be.  Silas was excited about graduation, and has brought up a few times that his school is now Richmond.  I'm still sad for how much he missed out at Eagles Nest, and that he won't get to go back.  He loved his class so much, was doing great there, and was learning so much.  It will be hard once he does go back.

We met up with Hunter, Allison and Maxley today to scooter at the TLC parking lot.  Of course, Silas and Hunter played together closely but the rest of us kept a 6 foot distance.  Silas seemed to really enjoy it, so hopefully it will help things.  I know he has really missed the socialization with other kids.  We'll keep an eye on the number of cases now that things are opening up, and can hopefully do that again.

Week 11

It's settling in that this is our new reality, at least for the foreseeable future.  When the shutdown was announced, we knew it would be longer than 2 weeks, but were saddened by the announcement school would not be resuming for the rest of the school year.  Now, even enrollment in the Fall is a big question.  The schools have said they plan to open with social distancing measures, but that is a risk we may not be willing to take.  For now, there are many questions and not enough answers. 

All we can do is focus on what we know, and the blessings we do have.  We are both able to still work from home and receive our full income.  All indications are this will continue.  We are healthy, we are healthy, we are healthy,  This weekend is a holiday weekend, our first holiday for the year!

Since we're saving over $2k a month on childcare expenses, we've been buying more things to help them keep entertained and learning at home.  Our latest purchase was new water toys, both kids loved these squirt guns. 

Week 8

Silas and I were looking at some old pictures tonight, and he told me he's tired of staying at home.  I think we all are.  We're definitely lucky, so it's hard to complain too much.  Both kids recovered quickly from their strange fevers, and otherwise we have been completely healthy.  Steve and I are both still able to work from home and get our full pay.  We've been able to get everything we need.

The scary part is, I don't see things returning to "normal" for quite some time.  I'm doubtful Silas will get to go back to Eagles Nest for summer camp, I wonder if he'll even be able to start school in the fall.   I can't see playgrounds opening up any time soon either.  I'm just trying to focus on the blessings we do have, and take it one day at a time.

The weather has been warming up a bit, so we have been using the water table.  I bought a bunch of little toys from the 99 cent store the kids have been enjoying.

Quarantine Week 6

We've developed a little more of a routine, now that we've gotten through 5 weeks of "safer at home".  We do circle time and crafts everyday, which the kids really like.  I'm so impressed that they are willing to try any of the random crafts I find online.  Some turn out better than others.

Both kids have had a low grade fever for a few days, Daphne last week and Silas this week.  They were lethargic and Daphne seemed to have a lot of mucous/post nasal drip, but no other symptoms.  Daphne seems to have gotten over it fine.  Silas isn't quite over it, but his temperature and his activity level is much better today, so hopefully he's over the worst of it.  It's odd that Silas has had a fever exactly once in last two years, but he picked up something now when he's only been directly exposed to immediate family over the last month.  I'm grateful that whatever it is, it seems to be minor for both of them, and Steve and I haven't had any symptoms.