Covid Week #4

Just finished our 4th week in isolation and heading into week 5. This week the teachers were on their spring break. Technically the girls were supposed to be doing "enrichment activities" but you can imagine how that went. 

This past Sunday we put these girls to work - time to earn your keep scrubin' toilets and moping floors! Everyone has to contribute.

We had a lot of rain this week and one afternoon we went snail hunting! There is Emily building up the courage to pick one up.

Taking advantage of some nice weather and playing a board game.

Emily dialed into the iPad.

Not sure why but the girls decided to wear matching red dresses the other day.

In other news - we finished our puzzle!! It took about 3 weeks. There were several times when we almost threw in the towel but we persevered.

* As of Friday April 10 there are 1,138 confirmed cases in Orange County and 17 deaths

* As of Friday April 3 there are 711 confirmed cases in Orange County and 13 deaths.

* As of Friday March 27 there are 321 confirmed cases in Orange County and 3 deaths. 

Covid Week #3

Well - we have now completed 3 weeks of isolation due to Covid. So far so good. This week the school went a little better and seemed more organized. Although, next week the teachers are taking off for their "spring break" so the girls might have to fend for themselves. 


We have been going on a lot of bike rides around the neighborhood to get fresh air and exercise.

Ellie has to complete a non-fiction book report so we looked at the Who Was? series of books and picked out three that seemed to peak her interest - The Berlin Wall, The San Francisco Earthquake, and The Chicago Fire. Seems like she is into disasters and human suffering.......sign of the times I guess.

To help with all the lessons and school work Ellie is having to do virtually/online we broke down and got her her own Chrome Book, she was excited. And now she doesn't have to use our computer. 

Emily having her first Kindergarten virtual meeting and doing some online homework on the computer.

When Emily isn't imersed in her school work she has turned her room into an elaborate "zoo" for all her stuffies. There are daily feedings to boot!

Making good progress on the puzzle although certain sections have been a slog.

 

* As of Friday April 3 there are 711 confirmed cases in Orange County and 13 deaths.

* As of Friday March 27 there are 321 confirmed cases in Orange County and 3 deaths. 

Covid Week #2

Week #2 of our Covid isolation is behind us. This week the girls started their on-line, virtual schooling. Hooo boy - we are making the best of it but difficult for Darcy and I to work and tutor the kids at the same time.


Ellie logged into her virtual learning experience. 

Emily at her executive desk awaiting the days assignments which seem to be drawing and writing about the weather.   

To help pass the time I thought it would be brilliant to do a puzzle so I ordered this 1,500 piece puzzle which arrived earlier in the week. To use an eating analogy - my eyes might have been bigger than my stomach. This thing is INSANE! Still, we have made some progress and the girls are chipping in here and there.

 

*As of Friday March 27 there are 321 confirmed cases in Orange County and 3 deaths. 

Life in Isolation During the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020 - Week 1

Well a LOT has changed since my last post way back on Feb. 1st for opening day of softball. We were cruising along busy as ever with work, girl scouts, school, softball practices / games etc etc and then it all ground to a complete halt due to Covid-19 this past week. 

When I was in Macau and Taiwan in mid-January and things were ramping-up over there the locals were taking it very seriously. Boarding the flight from Taiwan to Macau the entire Taiwan team (about 15 people) all put masks on and looked at me like I was a little crazy when I didn't have one. During the few days we were in Macau there was a lot of chatter about what was going on in the mainland and several members of the Chinese team left early. When I got back I was paranoid it was coming here but then I fell into complacency..........I guess it took about 7 weeks to get to that point here.

So schools are closed, softball done (which is a huge bummer - we were having a great season), play dates over - everything is essentially on hold.

This coming week the girls are supposed to be getting some sort of on-line curriculum from their school. The challenge is that Darcy and I are both working during the day and trying to keep the kids moving along......fun times. Time for the kids learn some independence and chip in.

1 week into shut down --- so far so good, nerves are frayed at times with everyone essentially in the house but we are making the most of it. 

Here are some pics the past 1.5 months.  

 

 

Still waiting for Em's front tooth to come out.....we have told her it has to be out by the time our Covid isolation ends.......

Opening Day

It's that time of year again and somehow I find myself coaching on both of their teams......going to be a fun season!!

40th B-day

Well on the 29th I turned the big 4-0........yikes!!  As I reflect, 40 does seem different than previous birthdays, halfway to 80, which comes with a sense of mortality I suppose. But no better way to go through this than with Darcy and the girls and the best family and friends. Here is to the next 10 being better than the last 10! 

Before my trip to Asia,my brothers came out for a visit so that we could celebrate, just the three of us. We spent a day and night up in Long Beach, which really means exploring the bars and night life of Long Beach. It did not disappoint and they have a hell of a promenade up there!

When not at the bars we explored the USS Iowa a retired Battleship that has been turned into a museum and is docked in the Long Beach Harbor.  A lot of firepower on that thing.

Three years ago , when Jeff turned 40, we went sailing of of San Diego. In another three years David will turn 40 -- better start planning!!

On my actual Birthday we celebrated at home with the girls and a lemon meringue pie (after I got back home from a softball coaches meeting).

Thanks all for the Birthday wishes!!