Eighth Birthday in Isolation.

Another week at home. We actually got a ton of things done. I want it to be over. I miss people. But I finally hit a groove on about Day 12 of isolation, and I think we are getting into a better routine.

I started out with too many goals. My thoughts were--let's be as productive as possible now that we have all of this TIME. Also, I didn't want to slide too far out of our normal routine because my routine helps me keep my anxiety at bay.

But my goals were too ambitious, and they broke me at about Day 3.

Then came the slothful period, which led me back into antsy-ness.

Now, I feel like we are on a more relaxed schedule but still getting a lot done. And I'm trying to be more aware of when we can push through more and when we just need to call it good for the day.

In fact, the girls have even made a "No Yelling" chart to keep me on track.

A few weeks ago, I blew my top about something insignificant and decided it was time. Time for a no-yelling chart for Mom. I've been thinking about this for months, and every time I would lose my patience I knew it was time to do it. Then time would pass, and pride would get in the way and I would rationalize that I don't need a dumb chart.

Well I do need a chart. Especially if this isolation period is going to end positively.

So the girls made me this one. And I've gotten a star every single day. Go me!

The poster says "No Yelling Zone!

1. Breathe. 2. Count to ten 2 or 3 times and then the GOLDEN RULE.

the others days: peace sign peace sign peace sign peace sign."

I told the kids I won't yell, but I might throw someone out of the window. June thought I was being serious and solemnly told me that throwing a kid out the window "counts as a yell". So many restrictions!!!

Anyway, why am I talking about this? Boring. Who cares? On to the other boring stuff I am going to blog about.

The kids have been enjoying the doodling tutorials that Mo Willems has been posting. My kids LOOOOOOVEEEEE Mo Willems, and so that's been fun.

June's pigeon. I was impressed!

And other crafts.

The BIG news of the week is that it was June's birthday this week. The big 8! 8 is GREAT.

I normally make pancakes in the shape of the letters of the birthday kid's name. This week, I had already made a huge batch of pancakes a few days before, so I just grabbed some leftovers and used a pizza cutter to make her name. You could actually read it this year, as opposed to previous years.

I feel like with all of changes to our lives recently I forgot how we normally do birthdays. Luckily, Dan the Man saved the day and went out to the store the night before and bought June candy bars to make her candy bar poster (which I forgot to take a picture of). Attached to her poster was the first clue for a scavenger hunt in order to find her presents.

She received some pearl necklaces and pearl earrings from Grandma Kristi and Papa which go along with her baptism dress Grandma Kristi made for her.

Grandma Kristi also wrote a note to June. It was all about baptism and was very touching.

For birthdays this year, Dan and I want to focus on getting stuff for the kids' new bedrooms. We don't need ANY more toys. I kinda despise toys.

So June picked out this wall hanging because she's currently in a horse phase.

She also received a string of lights that you can also hang pictures on and a new bedspread. We will be painting her room soon and will post some pictures of the final result then.

Here she is sporting her new "It's Great to be 8" necklace Grandma Sandy sent her. This was during a piano lesson, and letmetellyou teaching a piano lesson on someone's birthday is like trying to contain confetti.

Dan also picked up a cookie cake at the store, which we added our own personal touches to.June wrote her name (or something close to it) in chocolate chips.

Also this week, we went on lots of walks. The kids like to try to walk on the sidewalk ledge, which works out better for some than others. Harris fell multiple times but refused to be deterred.

We also played in the backyard. We still don't have grass yet. It's pretty messy. But Dan and I showed the kids our soccer moves (read: none), so that we can continue the tradition of non-athleticism down to the next generation.

Dan and I have been playing a few rounds of speed when we get the chance, and he has been sorely bitter that I win every time. He won a game this week, and the solar system could not contain the sheer magnitude of his gloating face. Now I'm the one in the losing rut, but I tend not to care about such trivial, petty things.

Enjoy it, Dan. I'm coming for you.

For our Friday fun night, Dan insisted that we watch "Where the Red Fern Grows". The kids were NOT into it. It was my first time seeing it. I liked it, but Dan wanted everyone to really really love it. I think he was disappointed. But there's nothing like seeing a 12 year old singlehandedly lift his family out of poverty to give you a different attitude about family chores. So Saturday we cleaned. A lot. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth. But the entire house was cleaned, and it felt amazing.

We also started another project I've been meaning to tackle FOREVER.

How long as the church been asking us to index names for temple work? Forever? Yes. If I am completely honest, I'm a family history flunkie. But I'm determined to change. So this week, my BFF Linz walked us through how to index. She's a pro. She's done over 4,000 names. I'm amazed.

Linz and I were reminiscing how 15 years ago our go-to fun activity was going to the outlets in Park City, Utah and spending all of the money we had and also all of the money we didn't have, and now our "fun" consists of Zoom meetings about indexing. We are 35, and we don't care who knows it!

Though I would still love going to the outlets more than anything. When do I get to do that again?

And for church today, the girls both wanted to wear brooches from my jewelry box.

We had a great Sacrament meeting. Both girls gave talks, Dan and I bore testimonies, and we watched "The Lifeline of Prayer" by President Faust. June fasted for her very first time and did pretty darn well. 

The End.