May at the Briens'

In May we settled into patterns and got more comfortable with quarantine. We found ways to get out of the house while still honoring the regulations, and enjoyed the slower pace.

We invested in wetsuits and starting bodyboarding in the ocean--so fun!

Sunday afternoon kite flying on the beach.

Audrey got a great haircut (had to wear a mask).

We took a hike to Garland Regional.

Ooh, I'm in this picture!

The kids finished "school" and Ian got promoted to middle school (which will hopefully open for real in August). Praying so much for that normalcy!

Mr. B planned a fun lunch with awards and games to celebrate the last day of school.

The gorgeous purple carpet delighted me on my many walks.

I had an amazing Zoom call with my siblings.

Mr. B had a birthday; we celebrated him well and he got to play his favorite game.

We visited the tide pools and found an unexpected creature! This sea lion was right next to us before we noticed, and we snapped a picture and then left it alone while we searched for crabs and sea stars.

April

By the end of April, we'd been quarantined seven weeks. Everything was canceled--Ian's birthday party, all of church events (though we've been meeting virtually on Zoom with a Sunday devotional, and YW has been having virtual meetings on Wednesdays), all school events (while the kids do school assignments online, with varying degrees of success), all social events, all possible trips. Mostly we feel fortunate, having enough to eat and plenty of toilet paper, stable incomes and no big plans canceled (we'd just done Disneyland in February--go back a few posts for those pics). But some days are really challenging and with no end in sight, it's hard to think about the future with any optimism. I have to admit I was concerned about my birthday in April, worried that I wouldn't enjoy my celebration without being able to go out, but it turned out to be one of the best birthdays ever. My friends sent packages and well wishes, and met me for a socially distanced lunch. I had my door heart attacked by a friend, an amazing steak dinner cooked by Mr. B and a wonderful butter rum cake from Red House Cafe. So much love. I tried to show Declan just as much love on his birthday and I think we've really made the best of things. Here are this month's highlights, in pictures:

Our family photographer took "porchraits" for us--pictures on our porch while she stayed 6 ft away (social distancing). We decided to show off the best part of shelter in place: reading in our PJs. Love my bookworm family.

Some of my birthday magic!!

I was cooking dinner when I noticed this Audrey artwork--ha!

The kids got some book mail from grandparents! Ian especially has been ripping through any new books and misses the library.

Sunday family walk, found a fallen tree. These kids grumble about going outside or taking walks but usually enjoy it once we get going. I would love to skip the grumbling.

The Brien grandparents sent a super fun package with candy, toys, tees, handkerchiefs and gift cards to Baskin Robbins. Here's Audrey in her new tee and kerchief. 

The kids had a week off school in April for Spring Break, so I tried to come up with fun activities. They had a sleepover on air mattresses in the living room, some spa time, and this restaurant lunch, their favorite. They helped me make a menu and then I took their order like a server, refilling their drinks or sides as often as they requested. I had quiet background music and left the check saying, "on the house because I love you." Declan dashed off to get a dollar for a tip, and Ian helped clean up. Audrey typed and printed the menu beautifully. We had a great time.

I started a chemistry set subscription, and the first set of experiments was amazing!

By the end of the month, we were required to wear masks to go into stores. I often took one kid with me to the store just so they could feel normal. I'm not sure this helped us feel normal, but it is an experience to remember! 

One night for dinner we tailgated in the mall parking lot, just our family, with a pizza. It was windy and we didn't end up staying long, but it helped us add some fun to our day.

Our friend and neighbor owns a balloon business and decorated all the houses on her street with a rainbow bouquet. We had to walk over and take some pictures--great date night!

Declan really wanted a "Great British Baking Show" cake for his birthday, so I did my best. I'm pretty proud of it! We got him a fun balloon bouquet from the friend previously mentioned, and did a lot of fun celebrating. He loved his ninth birthday!

March

The first two weeks of March were pretty normal. Our last hurrah before our lives turned upside down was pi(e) night:

I made a key lime pie, cherry raspberry pie, and a chicken pot pie (no pic), and we had some friends over, who brought even more pies. We had a great time.

THEN.

Quarantine began. It started with church and church activities being canceled worldwide. Soon school followed, and social activities, and then non-essential businesses were ordered closed. We're supposed to stay six feet from people, stay in our homes as much as possible, and do online school, work, seminary. It's been a challenge, and we have many weeks of this ahead.

Audrey doing art for her 7th grade art class.

The boys wrapping each other up in blankets like burritos.

 We celebrated Ian's birthday and St. Patrick's day with delicious food and lots of fun. We sent Ian on a scavenger hunt to find his gifts, took everyone through the drive-thru to get curly fries, made his favorite dinner (homemade taquitos and black beans) and a new dessert: angel food cake and strawberries. He had a great birthday in spite of his party being canceled.

One morning we took a walk down the rec trail and then climbed around the rocks at Lovers Point, chasing squirrels. Great outdoor time!

Our first day of church at home, we studied the parable of the olive tree from Jacob 7 and made playdough olive trees, grafting and dunging and such. The kids enjoyed it, and church at home is nice, if less reverent.

We've almost made it through March, let's see if we can survive April!

February

Mr. B got his next belt: blue-green! He's definitely getting to the more advanced requirements, and doing so well. Super proud of him.

 Audrey was in her first play, Frozen Jr! She played middle Anna. She did amazing, even had a solo!

 She also got braces at the end of February! Hated it but got used to it quickly.