Hi!  I hope you’re well – so much has changed since my last entry.   I’m not sure how things are where you’re at, but we are still under stay at home orders here in Virginia. They closed down schools and went to online learning as soon as places started shutting down.  In the beginning they had a hard time with school closing so suddenly.  They missed their teachers and their friends but ultimately it really hasn’t bothered them because they have each other to play with and we’ve been trying to keep busy at home.  They know that a lot of places are closed because of the “germs” but that’s the extent of it.

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When we’re at home we have a bit of a routine.  Tas has school, and while he does that the girls will either play or get on their computers and do ABC Mouse. They think it’s fun and it keeps them learning or at least remembering what they’ve already mastered.  They are both so smart and curious.  At this point there also probably more computer savvy than I am.  I bought a butterfly kit off of Amazon that comes with larvae in a cup that turn into caterpillars and then into butterflies.  They are fascinated by it. Right now our caterpillars are just starting to create their cocoons.  I really hope school opens on time in the fall because  I’m not sure that I’m a great teacher. I’m just trying to not let their brains turn to mush until I can pass them on to real educators.  Another activity that they really enjoy are jigsaw puzzles.  Taya in particular really likes to do them.  Emi will do one and then be done, but Taya likes to do more.  She mainly likes to do them by herself, but I’ve bought a few more challenging ones that are 100-150 pieces and she will ask for help on those.

After lunch if it’s nice out we head outside.  The girls ride their bikes and we take the dog for a walk around the neighborhood.  They are still on training wheels and don’t seem to be in a big hurry to ditch them.  I would live for them to get off training wheels because then we could go on trails, or other bike rides that we can’t do now.  We tried them on 2 wheels last week and I think Emi would have had it if she wasn’t distracted by Taya.  Emi has more determination.  They both still get frustrated easily but Emi will want to keep trying.  Taya just throws a tantrum and quits. I think next time we’re going to take Emi by herself and see how she does. If she figures it out then Taya will definitely want to do it too.  Almost everything is a competition with them.  Here’s a prime example:  Taya lost her first tooth yesterday.  We knew it had to happen soon as both of her adult bottom teeth grew in behind her baby teeth so she had 2 rows, like a shark. (The dentist said this was fairly normal). Emi doesn’t have any loose teeth nor does she have her adult teeth coming in.  She was devastated that Taya lost a tooth and she didn’t. We had tears on and off all day because of it.  Then the tooth fairy visited last night and we had a rough morning.   If Taya had been able to go to a store and spend her money, I’m not sure Emi would have been able to handle it.  So maybe this quarantine isn’t all bad.  🤣.  

Part of the reason they’re not terribly interested in riding bikes is because they love their scooters.  Tas is really into scooters and skateboards and that kind of thing so we’ve got enough ramps and grind rails to turn the road into a mini skatepark.  The girls are little dare devils on the scooters and are also very fast on them.  I actually just bought a scooter for myself so we can maybe do some more adventures together, like ride to the ice cream shop or down the boardwalk by the beach, but I’m going to have to do some practice so I can keep up before we go anywhere.

 

They’ve also been doing a lot of sidewalk chalk.  We’re kind of lucky because they relaxed our road last year so it’s nice and black and smooth.  We live on a cul de sac so don’t get much traffic and the girls will decorate the whole street. Our neighbors think it’s great and frequently bring them new chalk to keep up the artwork.

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I realized that we all get a little crazy if we don’t go do something once or twice a week, so we have found new trails to walk and areas to explore.  We’ve gone fossil hunting in old sand dunes, walked the botanical gardens and visited every state park within 2 hours.  Last week we went strawberry picking and then cooked a new dessert every night.  So far that’s their favorite – shocker 🤣.

                                                                           Taya 

We’re looking forward to warmer weather so we can jump off the dock, take the boat out and spend some time on the beach!  Hopefully life will get back to normal soon and we will be back to sports and parties and amusement parks but for now we’re trying to make the most of the situation and stay sane.  Hope you’re doing the same.

 I also just want to acknowledge that today is Mother’s Day and I hope you’re able to celebrate.  I know that this day wouldn’t be as wonderful for me if it wasn’t for you.  Thank you.  Stay safe-

Lori