Just Another Week in Quarantine

Okay, well, technically we are not "quarantined".  We aren't "locked down".  We aren't "sheltering in place".  Salt Lake County is under a stay-at-home order-- which basically means stay home unless you have to go out.  That does leave some room for interpretation, but for us, we stay home a lot.

We do go out to grocery stores and Abe and I do the occasional take out.  We have snuck out on a couple of car double dates with Daniel and Lori (Abe's brother and sister-in-law).  That is perhaps our "most dangerous" behavior.  I suppose a trip to the grocery store is more dangerous.  Our highlights are family hikes-- which you would think would be quite removed from many people, but a lot of people are out enjoying nature these days.
Anyway, a week at home passes so quickly and it is quite pleasant.  It seems strange, but I think we will look back with great fondness at this time of unprecedented family togetherness.

We got some good laughs with a game of Kahoot with friends.  For the record, I know nothing about Star Wars, but am really good with Jane Austen.  I mean, I don't want to brag, but I was the best with Jane Austen.  I am considerably lacking in many valuable life skills, but at least I've got THAT!

Cannon and George are doing Zoom ballet classes at home pretty much every day.  I have been really impressed with the quality of classes and the experience the boys are having with classes at home.  Peter and Greta and George also have classes with Wasatch Arts Center and once again, I am blown away with how resourceful they have been in providing effective and enjoyable dance instruction.

They are getting to know and work with faculty members at Ballet West Academy that they wouldn't have an opportunity to work with under normal circumstances.

I also really love that I am getting to watch them dance.  Normally I get to observe once or twice a year.  But I am getting a better understanding and appreciation of what they are learning.

On Monday morning I post on the refrigerator the dance schedule for the week.  Between classes and online music lessons (for the kids) plus the piano lessons I teach, our days are pleasantly full and pass quickly.

Faith was Greta's school teacher this week.  It was so cute and Greta was in heaven.  Faith made her a desk with all her supplies.

Greta knows a lot of her letters and sounds thanks to older siblings and Reading Eggs and The Letter Factory.  Faith was helping her learn to write them.  Like I told Abe, I don't think I'm even going to need to homeschool Greta.  I think Faith will have it under control! 

I remember loving to "do school" with my youngest brother and teaching him to write his name and such.  So as much as Greta loved it, I think Faith enjoyed it just as much.

Back in December or early January we were introduced to this super fun game-- Camel Up.  It was out of print for a while and this week we finally got a copy of it.  It's a camel racing betting game and as such it is somewhat addictive!  Great fun!  We'll probably play again tonight.  

When you can't get together with your besties.....a Zoom playdate is the next best thing.  They each got out their toys and played with their own toys simultaneously.  It does leave something to be desired, but at least it's some interaction!

The Brothers Fox rocked out in the basement.

Clark is staying busy finishing up the semester at UVU.  Of course it's all online right now.  He'll start summer classes which will at least start online.  Hopefully they can transition to in person partway through the term.  He is also working a lot at Subway.  He's got a job lined up with the Census Bureau, but that has been put on hold for now.  

In sad news, The Cat died this week.  We don't know what happened.  Abe found it dead on the grass near the drive way.  Now, I know we were not good pet owners.  I know we didn't really ever give the cat a name other than "The Cat".  I know it was known as our evil cat for quite some time.  Clark and Cannon might have felt some sort of actual attachment to The Cat at times.  We never touched it and it never touched us (its decision, not ours).  It birthed 14 kittens in it's short life and had more on the way.  We were not good about providing any appropriate veterinary care.  

Even still, we were shocked and saddened at its death.  Even so, most of the family was shamefully irreverent at its funeral.  We all tried to think of something nice to say about The Cat.  It was a stretch for some.  My gosh!  We are horrible people.

Can you still be friends with us?

On to a happier topic.  HIKING!!!!! Hooray!  It's warming up and we are back to hiking.  On Friday evening we hit up our favorite trails up Rose Canyon.  Lovely, just lovely.

All that hiking a couple summers back must have sunk deep into their souls.  They love it.  Peter is putting his full weight of influence into hiking and constantly asks when we are leaving on the next hike.  He likes it and that's good--- except when it's not good.  I do mean asking constantly.

Saturday we hiked up Corner Canyon on the Canyon Hollow Trail up to Ghost Falls.  We hadn't done this hike before we LOVED it.  There were lots of mountain bikers, but they are a very pleasant and polite group in our experience.  Anyway, we will look forward to going back there.

So yeah.  Hiking with the fam is my favorite thing these days.

On Saturday morning before the Canyon Hollow Trail, Bethany and I walked to the Jordan River Temple.  Of course, the temples are all closed right now and even the grounds are closed-- but it's about 4 1/2 miles, so we went for it.  And it was a lovely walk with a lovely daughter.  I think we'll try walking to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple next time.

Sunday evening Faith called for a Foxy Ladies Meeting on the trampoline at 8 pm.  If Faith feels she is being left out of important "more grown-up" conversations with older sisters, she has found it is very effective to call for a somewhat sacred Foxy Ladies Meeting.  In such a meeting all questions and topics are free game and answers must be truthful.  Faith will not be left out.

I guess we think we're pretty hot stuff:)

To get the most accurate and sensitive information, Faith insisted it we wear out uniform jackets.