Coronavirus through a child's eyes

Saw these "Corona questions" floating around Facebook and thought I'd try them on Iver (5).

1. What is the Coronavirus?

- A germ

2. Who is the president?

- Martin Luther King (Ha Ha-- this made me laugh so hard. WE WISH! We don't speak the name of our president, who we don't like, in our home).

3. How many days have we been in lockdown?

- Um, I don't know, how many days are there in March and April... let's see... . maybe 45?

4. What is lock down?

- Staying at home

5. Do you want to go back to school?

- I've been going to my school!

6. Who is the first person you are going to hug when lockdown is over?

- Angela (his beloved preschool teacher)

7. Where is the first place you want to go?

- Angela's house (I don't think he's allowed to go there!)

8. What do you think we can do to get rid of the Coronavirus?

- Have good doctors

9. Is mommy a good teacher?

- You're not a teacher!

10. How did the Coronavirus start?

-Someone ate a bat in Asia

11. If you had to wear protective clothing to help you what would it be?

- My clothes!

12. Are you enjoying lockdown?

- I am enjoying Angela

Little joke teller

Llama Llama, Celebrate (Mama)

We have had a slow, very relaxing Mother's day weekend (quarantine edition).

On Friday, we did a post-work drive-by to celebrate our friend Josh's birthday.  The kids (who stayed buckled) were good sports-- Iver even made a birthday sign.

Peggy went all out with car decorations!

The kids' favorite thing to do these days during shelter-in-place is to take a neighborhood walk and visit the two resident llamas (whose names we found out are Stewart [gray butt] and Leroy [red butt] from talking to their owner this weekend). We've done this about 4 times this weekend already.

Stewart (the less ornery one) is the one we see walking around on leash.

Today, on Mother's day, the kids both (without coercion!) slept past 6:30 (amazing!) and they made me eggs for breakfast and some cute videos.

It certainly does often feel like a shipwreck around here, although we're all smiles today.

The boys had decorated at school these totes for me for Mother's day.

Handmade cards for me from Iver

Card he mailed to "Baba"

On Saturday, Iver, who's been biking miles around McKinleyville, picked up and then dropped of a donut at the home of one of his favorite preschool teachers, Maddie. Then, later in the afternoon, she and Angela (his other favorite teacher) reciprocated with a lovely drive-by including dropping off a giant Iver-in-glitter sign and some other goodies, which totally made his day. These ladies are like his *other* moms, and we're so glad he has such great role models in his life.

While we're still in quarantine and can't actually hug our own moms, who are sheltered across the miles, we have a lot to celebrate. Here's to all the wonderful women and moms in our lives in this historic year! 

Quarantine Indispensables

This is our eighth week of quarantining at home in our "free time" (Kelvin and I still go to work and kids go to their small daycare for kids of essential workers and then come straight home).  My adaptation to (coping with) this way of life comes in different waves. It was really hard initially.  Around week 4-5, it seemed like our family was in a better rhythm, getting used to extended time in one another's company at home, and finding things to do and places to be outside that didn't violate any physical distancing policies, while also staving off boredom (see positivity post).  And while the kids don't seem to feel like they're missing out on anything and seem very upbeat and well-adjusted (and we adults are definitely feeling less acutely stressed), it's definitely starting to feel monotonous for us adults, and I wanted to share some key things that have helped us (well, me) get through this time.

Teachers

I have no idea what we would have done without the wonderful daycare teachers who care for our little kids so that we're able to still focus on our jobs. I am so thankful my kids still have these loving adults with whom to spend their days. This local news article just came out which explains the collaboration between our childcare center and our community health center, which has been a huge blessing and stress-reliever in our lives especially during this time. This week and in these times, more than ever, we should all take a few moments to praise teachers in our lives and recognize the amazing work they do for our little humans and for all of society.

Niall with the amazing miss Cila

Exercise

We are thankful to have a home elliptical, which my parents gifted me/us for our wedding, which has made it possible to stay in (relative) shape despite never having to go to a gym or anywhere.  I do sometimes run for exercise, although I'm not generally a "runner," and really try to avoid extra time in the outdoors and the pollen this time of year due to my severe allergies.  It's incredibly helpful and mood-boosting to get even 30-45 minutes in on the home elliptical machine while kids are sleeping or napping, and I love that I can still get exercise during home quarantine at times that suit our family's life.   Additionally, Iver has been obsessed with bike-riding (he and Kelvin have done up to 15 miles/day riding around McKinleyville); this exercise for him gets him tired enough to fall asleep without a fight shortly after 8 p.m. NAIL!




The great outdoors

We are thankful to live in a low density and incredibly beautiful part of the country. Despite my pollen allergies, we have been trying, on occasion, when it's sunny, to spend an hour or two at one of the outdoor trails or wild beaches (which still allow traffic, maintaining appropriate distancing) in our county.  Early on Sunday, we took the kids to Trinidad beach and passed a lovely bit of a sunny morning watching the waves and playing in the sand (there were about five other people there with their dogs). Fresh, clean air and sunshine are good for the spirit (especially the mostly-cooped-up-inside quarantine spirit).

 

Color-by-math worksheets

I've joined some parenting/ support groups on Facebook and printed off some "Color by math" worksheets for Iver do at home. He adores math and has passed many a half-hour meticulously coloring in such worksheets!  Even though we don't feel any pressure, since he's not even yet in KG, we've tried to engage his bright mind "educational" things for him to do, like online Reading Eggs, to vary the types of things we do at home, but nothing has quite caught his attention during this time quite like these worksheets (his other favorite things are eating snacks on the hour, making cards/art, and bike-riding in McKinleyville with Kelvin as above).

Little passports

My parents gifted Iver and my sister/Marco gifted Niall a subscription to Little Passports before this pandemic began. What a cool treat it is to open up a monthly educational box (many of which I saved/hoarded for rainy weekends but are perfect to use during this home quarantine) of activities designed to explore subjects such as chimpanzees, volcanoes, or astronomy, and pass some time doing learning, a craft project, and puzzles.  The "rocket" launcher that Iver built was a hit with both kids for days.

E-reader and books on loan 

While the public library branches are closed, our county has a fairly robust electronic book library for loans which you can get on a 2- or 3-week rental period for kindle. I have used my e-reader almost every day of the Pandemic (alternating reading with binge-watching my Australian dramedy Offspring.), which has been a really great escape from COVID-19 reality. I've read some great books, including most recently the nonfiction Becoming Nicole (Amy Ellis Nutt) and  Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. I find that the kindle allows me to read in short, even few-minute bursts, and finish books even more quickly sometimes than on paper (although, in general, I prefer to not read on screens). While some of the books on my to-read wish list have many holds on them, there is plenty else to choose from, and even when the library re-opens its branches, I may do a lot of e-reading as it's really convenient.

Airpods

I have blogged before about my relative Podcast obsession which has developed over the past few years.  I subscribe and listen to a variety of different types of shows covering news (NPR, NY Times The Daily), parenting (The Mom Hour, Parenting Beyond Discipline), birth (The Birth Hour, Birth Kweens), politics (I love most of the Crooked Media ones), as well as other miscellaneous ones like Trevor Noah's Daily Show (Ears edition) and scienc-ey Stuff You Should Know. While I prefer to read my books, I love to listen to audio like it's radio while I cook, walk the dog, or get ready in the morning (I find that coupling listening, something enjoyable, while doing something less than enjoyable, like cooking or chores, helps those tasks become tolerable).  Call me unengaged, but I have to confess that, to break up the monotony of this extra time trapped at home with little ones, I have occasionally stuck one earbud (in the ear away from the kid) while the kids are entertained, playing by themselves and not immediately needing my full attention, and gotten some listening in.  I thought it had gone unnoticed; however, I was with Iver while he was bathing the other day and he said, "Hey! I hear someone talking!"  Busted. But I don't think I'm giving this up. 

What do you have/do that have helped you get through this time?
What are your quarantine indispensibles or hacks?

(Meanwhile, in the category most useless things to have bought in 2020, I list a weekly paper planner, which I selected to help me avoid checking my phone, relying on digital calendars and tech, etc., while still staying organized this year. While I may try its use again in 2021 or 2022, it was a bit of a bust this year, nearly completely empty without plans, because if meetings or anything is happening, they are on ZOOM from the phone/computer...)

Reckless Arrogance

Our Vice President Mike Pence visited my medical school alma mater, Mayo Clinic, this week. 
Despite being briefed of the weeks-long universal mask-wearing policy (which is the standard at public settings and health care facilities nation-wide), Pence (who claims he's tested regularly for Coronavirus and negative) opted to buck the policy for his photo-ops for unknown reasons (or at least no valid ones like "wanting to look people in the eye" [masks don't cover eyes]). Despite his professed extremely conservative and "pro-life" Christian beliefs, Mike Pence's actions are extremely arrogant and dangerous for the lives around him. SHAME ON HIM and his blatant disregard for public health, policy, rules, patients, and staff. Shame on this reckless, unprepared, science-skeptical Republican administration. Shame on Mayo Clinic for not insisting he follow the policy or be escorted out.

Pence's act followed a disturbing press conference in which our seriously unhinged president suggested that introducing disinfectants into our bodies or blasting ourselves with UV light may be a reasonable way to fight COVID-19.

If you're a Mary Poppins fan and need a laugh in these dark times amidst a reckless administration, check out this parody my mom sent me:  "A Spoonful of Clorox."

And then there are the protesters (largely MAGA and libertarian types) who think that the state-imposed restrictions on commerce and travel are too Draconian, infringing too heavily on their "personal liberties."  There aren't enough words for me to express how misguided and selfish these people are, often unmasked, gathering in crowds in close proximity, armed, in Trump-style campaign rallies in states (like Michigan) with some of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks (which require stricter measures!). Public health should not be partisan!

Do we have a constitutional right to protest?  Yes.  Is it the right and wise thing to do in the middle of a public health crisis with a highly contagious infectious disease?  No. Are we all struggling with despair, anxiety of the unknowns of these times and do we all wish that we could escape the monotony of our houses and days and get back to (normal) work and life? Absolutely.  Do these individuals know better than scientists, health care providers, public health experts, and their informed leaders to choose the precise right timing and cautious logistics in these challenging times? ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Lifting restrictions widely and too early will only prolong the pain of periodic lockdowns as case numbers and fatalities rise (the hammer and the dance). We can do things right (à la China, Korea, Taiwan, or New Zealand), or we can prioritize our American "liberties" and  sense of exceptionalism and live in this pain for a couple of years until treatment or vaccines are widely available. From a concerned doctor and one who cares about others (and who is glad to live in taking-this-appropriately-seriously California [thank you, Governor Newsom, for your leadership]): It's not about you. Stop being reckless and arrogant.  Love thy neighbor.

Wacky World & Wednesday

It was "Wacky Wednesday" at the kids' daycare today.

Iver decided to wear his shirt backwards and wear one sock with mismatched shoes.

Niall wanted to match and showcase the Dr. Seuss book.

I have just been thinking about what a wacky world we live in right now.

Facebook reminded me that six years ago (to date!), Kelvin and I were cruising the Yangtze River on vacation in China, kidless and carefree, and passing through Wuhan.  Wow, how our world (and lives) have changed (and we will never forget Wuhan).

There have been so many articles and words written about how our (and our children's) lives will be affected by the pandemic. I sometimes don't know that there's anything that hasn't yet been already said. It's hard to realize that there may be an "other side" of these wacky, strange times.  (I've also been reading Karen Thompson Walker's fictional The Age of Miracles, in which the world is changing with longer days/nights which touches and alters all aspects of human life and which is eerily fitting right now. I recommend you read it and see the parallels). To us adults, who have lived a long pre-pandemic existence, our worlds have been shattered. However, our children seem to be somewhat blissfully un-stressed, despite all of our conversations and the changes in their lives.  Iver surely will have some memories of this quaran-time and the life that preceded it, but I wonder how Niall will reflect on how the world changed during this time (or remember at all his pre-COVID existence).

I wonder and (while I'm not a poet!) I wrote this short poem for my kids:

Do you remember a time...
when we could touch our friends, teachers, and neighbors, 
when we could gather to celebrate birthdays, 
stand fewer than six feet apart,
visit libraries and theaters,
go to restaurants and break bread together, 
and worship in the company of others?

Do you remember a time...
when we didn't have to wear masks all the time, 
and we could see others' faces,
instead of only hearing their voices 
and watching their eyes for the hints of a smile?

Do you remember a time...
when we could travel to far away places, 
when we could sit on a plane, 
to visit our loved ones in another part of the state or country, 
and when our words (and worlds) and connection were not confined to screens?

Do you remember a time...
when we could plan things in advance
and say "yes, we can do that" instead of 
"maybe, possibly, we'll see..."?

Or, when you are older, will you remember this time when we could do none of those things?

I wonder.

A friend posted the following on  Facebook, which I loved as it celebrates the "upside" of this, which is how I guess many children may experience these wacky times despite how unsettled we (adults) feel. 

Child - "How old are you, Grandpa?"

Grandpa - "I'm 81, dear."
Child - "So does that mean you were alive during the Coronavirus?"
Grandpa - "Yes, I was."
Child -... "Wow. That must have been horrible, Grandpa. We were learning about that at school this week. They told us about how all the schools had closed. And moms and dads couldn't go to work so didn't have as much money to do nice things.

They said that you weren't allowed to go and visit your friends and family and couldn't go out anywhere.
They told us that the shops and stores ran out of lots of things so you didn't have much bread, and flour, and toilet rolls.
They said that summer holidays were cancelled. And they told us about all those thousands of people that got very sick and who died.
They explained how hard all the doctors and nurses and all essential workers worked, and that lots of them died, too.
That must have been so horrible, grandpa!"
Grandpa - "Well, that is all correct. And I know that because I read about it when I was older.
But to tell you the truth I remember it differently...
I remember playing in the garden for hours with mom and dad and having picnics outside and lots of bbqs.
I remember making things and fishing with my Dad and baking with my Mom.
I remember making forts and learning how to do hand stands and back flips. I remember having quality time with my family.
I remember Mom's favorite words becoming 'Hey, I've got an idea...'
Rather than 'Maybe later or tomorrow I'm a bit busy'.
I remember making our own bread and pastry. I remember having movie night three or four times a week instead of just one.
It was a horrible time for lots of people you are right.
But I remember it differently."

Remember how our children will remember these times.
Be in control of the memories they are creating right now, so that through all the awful headlines and emotional stories for so many that they will come to read in future years, they can remember the happy times.

- Author unknown 

These are seriously strange times that are complicated for adults, but they can still be simple and joyful for our children who have our presence and attention.  It'll be interesting for us all to look back from "the other side" (if/when we get there).

Two Funny!

"show me your muscles" photo

Niall was being particularly poky at dinner one night, doing very little eating in favor of messing with his food by grabbing and dumping it out all over his tray and then saying he was "all done."
Kelvin said, "Niall! You hardly even touched your food."
Niall replied, showing us the food-crusted and slimy palms of his hands and fingers, "NO, BUT I DID!!"

Kelvin also served him breakfast one day and said, "Here you go, baby boy!"
Niall replied, "I am a BIG BOY, NOT a baby boy!"

Potty training is going well, except one naked day, a little nugget came out of Niall when he was climbing on the sofa before he recognized he had to go (we rushed him to the toilet, where he finished his BM). He is still learning to use appropriate pronouns but says not infrequently," 'Member [remember] when my [I] pooped on the couch?!"  When we asked him if he pees on the potty at school, he says, "NO! IN THE URNINAL (urinal)!"

Iver had given up napping but, now combined in a small class with some younger preschool kids, he was encouraged to nap/rest on his cot at daycare (which we don't really like, because he then takes forever to fall asleep at night).  This week, his teachers have been letting him stay up to do "art" or notes during the other kids' naptime.  This note (to a daughter of a colleague) made us laugh.

A week or so ago, Iver was being very persistent in arguing with me about when I'd check on him after he got into bed (he was lobbying for every 15 minutes after 8 p.m. although I was declining).
I told him, "Iver, you've been arguing with me for five minutes about this, which is really exhausting. Why should I compromise with you?"  He replied, "No, I've only been arguing with you for four minutes. I stared at 7:55 and now it's 7:59."   As I often am with this super strong-willed (and literal, numbers-oriented) child, I was frustrated but this one made me laugh.

The kids also decorated the daycare door for Earth Day.  Except it's not May. 

Three times this week, I have turned into our neighborhood to see a woman walking a llama down the sidewalk. I kid you not! I wish I'd taken a photo, but I've been driving all three times and was so flummoxed I couldn't get it together to stop in time. I have seen a (I assume this) llama in a neighborhood backyard before, but I'd never seen it out for a stroll!  Even the llama is having cabin fever, it seems! There used to be a guy in Arcata who walked yaks, but I haven't seen him in years. Only in Humboldt...

(Kelvin finally caught a photo)

And here are some matching pictures of the boys. Niall, who usually gets dressed second, often wants to match his brother, which is cute.

He also wants to imitate his moves!

(No kids were harmed in the taking of these photos). 

My sister-in-law Katherine sent me some Ramblin' Mama quotes

These kids sure make me tear my hair out a lot of the time (especially when trapped indoors), but also are a source of a lot of levity and smiles.