This Is Kinda Fun (and Also Stressful)

We're a few days into this virtual learning thing, and although I'm still pretty frazzled as I try to figure it all out, there are some parts of it that are actually kind of fun.

Like Todd's math assignment to put playing cards in order (which is the equivalent of assigning Martha Stewart to make a fancy centerpiece).

We still had virtual class meetings . . .

. . . but this week some of them involved coloring a funky bunny . . . 

. . . or wishing classmates a happy birthday while the teacher wore a unicorn headband.

Daniel and Anna attend the same school and have the same art teacher, so they had the same art assignment and decided to team up on their "found object color wheel" project.  I think it's pretty cool that they could work on it together.

Todd could use any medium he desired for his art assignment (as long as I could snap a picture and text it to his teacher), so he opted for an Etch A Sketch.  Years from now, when life is back to normal and the kids are back in school doing worksheets, I hope we'll look back with fondness on the fun quirks of virtual learning (and forget how hard it was to keep track of everyone's assignments and virtual meeting schedules and educational website passwords . . . ).

Bandits and Bunnies

I'm not sure which is more distressing:

Having to dress like a bandit to go to the grocery store . . . 

. . . or seeing this bug-eyed chocolate Easter bunny near the cash register.

Virtual Learning Begins

After a few weeks of basically leaving us to our own devices, our school district started its new "virtual learning" program today.  It's been rough going so far.  Joy is pretty self-sufficient, but the three younger kids need a lot more help, and each of their teachers has a completely different system for assigning and collecting schoolwork.  My brain is kind of fried right now.  

I made this schedule (which Joy illustrated) to give a little structure to our day, and it's helping a little, but life still feels really hectic.  As one school administrator put it, "Launching this program is like trying to fly an airplane while we're still building it."

Oh well.  As Todd wrote in his little notebook, "Things I cheer up from are hugs and kisses."

Some Things Don't Change

It's General Conference weekend, and some things were a little different this time.

Instead of addressing a conference center packed with thousands of people, speakers were recorded in an empty auditorium, with every speaker sitting a safe 6 feet away from each other.  For me, the strangest part was not hearing lots of people quietly chuckle when the speakers said something humorous.  I missed that feeling of sharing this uplifting conference with countless other people across the world.

Not all changes are bad, though.  Joy made her own Conference Bingo sheet this time, which was actually a really good idea, because she could focus on topics that she has heard about a lot lately, which would be likely to come up in Conference talks.  I think I may invite the other kids to make their own sheets for the next General Conference in October.

Other aspects of Conference Weekend were comfortingly familiar.  I still prepared treats and surprises for my kids . . .

. . . who still played "Conference Bingo" to earn those prizes.

Most importantly, General Conference was still the usual treasure trove of practical counsel and inspiring reminders that God loves and is mindful of us.  If we turn to Him, He'll help us through our trials and teach us how to find lasting joy.

Life Isn't All Virtual

It's been three weeks since school closed, and although our school district has more or less left us to our own devices so far, they've announced that they're going to launch a "virtual learning" program at the beginning of next week.  Frankly, it already feels like we're spending a lot of time on screens.

Joy has her virtual geometry class . . .

. . . the three younger kids have virtual class meetings . . . 

. . . and the three older kids have virtual music lessons.

Life isn't all virtual though.  The kids still make time for some good, old-fashioned, non-virtual reading . . .

. . . and this evening we joined a global movement to clap for first responders, grocery workers, and others who put themselves at risk serving their communities during this pandemic.  THANK YOU!!!

A Nutty Sense of Humor

Well folks, we made it through March healthy and only slightly stir crazy.  As we begin another month of social distancing and non-essential business shutdowns, we're doing our best to keep our chins up.

A little pantry organization humor can be helpful at times such as this.

Bouncing Back

The kids are going a little stir crazy inside our house, and the last major threat of snow has apparently passed, so . . . 

. . . it's time to set the trampoline up again!

Daddy and Joy attached the mat and side netting, I tied the knots to hold the blue spring cover in place . . .

. . . and then Daniel came out to make sure everything was in working order.

Yep!  Everything checks out!

Todd headed out this afternoon to offer a second opinion . . . 

. . . and soon Anna went out to join him.  I'm glad they have an easy way to get some fresh air and burn off energy.

And maybe even practice some sweet dance moves.