Cars, Legos, Tracks, Animals

Below you will find a compilation of blurry pictures of my messy house. Hurricane Brassell Boys made their way through every room today. I love watching the boys play. Sometimes I have to use my imagination to love their play more than having a clean house. I love most seeing toys lined up in some play strategy that feels so very real to the boys. I also love the sound effects and hearing the conversations toy cars, animals, and Lego guys have back and forth. 

It is funny how their games creep. First in the boys' room, then Caity's room, then the hallway, then the entry and soon enough, my kitchen counter is a battle field. 

I just love watching and hearing them all play together. 

Santa's got a brand new sleigh!  

Back to School Prep Covid Style

It would be cliche to talk about how this school year is going to be a learning curve for all of us. I know I have no authority on what will guarantee a positive impact on how this "At-Home-Learning" will flow. I am full force prepping for what is ahead, despite having very little direction from the school as to how school will look come September 8th. I love hearing others' ideas, so I thought I'd share mine.

1. Make the First Day of School as Traditional as Possible. I'm planning to:
• pack lunches for my kids, 
• help them organize new school supplies in their backpacks, 
• have them wear a new outfit (that was one of my favorite parts!) 
• take back-to-school photos, 
• (Per Johnny's request), have them walk around the block, then back to our house for school since every year we walk on the first day. I'm a firm believer a good walk, let's out the first-day jitters!
• have homemade cookies for after school snack, so they can tell me all the details about their first day. 
2. A Back to School Celebration. We will introduce a family theme to keep us focused on the Savior in some way during the school year. This celebration is one of my very favorite traditions. We have a fancy dinner where the meal is split up into different courses and we make a special drink in my punch bowl. I decorate the house with my cheesy-but-I-love-them-dearly school themed decorations. I teach what our new theme means and we talk about Jesus Christ. John gives us all Father's blessings to prepare us for the year ahead. I feel like traditionally this is our last big send off to school every year.
3. School Supplies Shopping. Do we really need supplies this year? Probably not, but it always adds to the excitement for us. I always buy extra Ticonderoga pencils and crayons because I have a serious issue and love freshly sharpened pencils and the waxy smell of crayons.
4. Menu Plan. I made a meal plan for all meals and snacks for the first three weeks of schools. I even made accompanying grocery lists so I know what to buy each week. I think I'm going to be pretty tired keeping everyone motivated all day in their various classes, and this will not only help me stay consistent, but it will set a positive and stable routine for my kids. (Summer has been a little sporadic in the food category over here!)
5. Morning Meeting. At 7:30 AM every morning, I will meet with the kids and go over what each of them has going on that day and what they need to accomplish. I plan to have a white board where I keep notes, so kids can report the following day if they finished tasks. We will then read scriptures as a family and say a family prayer. All their morning responsibilities will need to be done before we meet together. I plan on having a regular playlist starting at 7:20 PM so the kids know it's getting close to finish what they are doing to come to the table.
6. Mom Bucks. This is a Johnny idea. As kids work hard at school and around the house, they can earn Mom Bucks that will buy them privileges like "educational game" screen time or staying up late with Mom and Dad. They can also trade twenty Mom Bucks to the dollar, so they can save up for things (like a lego set, ahem, Johnny.) I am most nervous about this system because I'm typically weary of incentives. With that said, I am willing to do almost anything to get my kids excited about school after their not-so-wonderful experience last year online.
7. Weekly Bonuses. I have a few week-long reward systems that I will pull out as needed. For example, the first week as I see kids make positive choices, I will reward them with a Hi-chew (as in "Hi-chews the better choice.") Another example: I have punch cards and as kids fill their punch card they will earn a personalized prize one week, and another week a one-on-one activity with mom. I also think it will be fun to try to earn points as a group to have a family movie party. These will not be used as bribes, but as recognition for their hard work. It will not be something done weekly, but as needed.
8. Prepped for "Pause Days". I am positive there will be a day in which we all just need a break. I figure pushing "pause" for a day is more productive than pushing the bright red "I QUIT" button. Option 1: I purchased fall/winter pajamas for my kids. On a day when morale is particularly low and endurance spent, we'll pull out the new pajamas and get comfy (even if it's 9:00 AM!) We'll close the blinds, and watch movies or read aloud, and cuddle all day just taking it easy. Option 2: Perhaps the same circumstances, but instead of a "comfy break" we beeline it to the coast for the day. Essentially, I am preparing to be OK if we need to step back for a day in order to reset and recommit. 
9. Learning Spaces. Caity pointed out it would be beneficial for every child to have their own special place to do schoolwork. We bought lap tables at Michael's and will fill needed supplies into the cubbies. William is already quite taken with his little lap table, and worked well into last night on his kindergarten workbook from last year. The night before school, we will set up everyone's mini-office, so they know where to go and how to get started when we divide for school in the morning. I will post a note in their space with all their pass-codes and school schedule. Last year we were all clustered around the kitchen table and it made for a chaotic day. 
10. Plan for the Worst. This is definitely a "me thing." Worst case scenario I am going to be bouncing around from Chromebook to Chromebook putting out fires from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It sounds exhausting. I mentally role play through the school day and will myself to stay positive among the glitches and frustrations. I think about how chaotic it will be figuring out each teacher's system and expectations, but I plan to give myself plenty of grace. I will need to focus on the small and simple things right in front of me so I don't get overwhelmed. I am determined to search for solutions among the inevitable frustrations. My goal is to be firmly optimistic...but perhaps have some special mom-only ice cream in the freezer to boost my morale as needed!
11. Create a Binder. It took me six weeks last spring to realize I needed a binder organizing all my kids' classes. In my binder I have a folder for each child, and to two sections to store finished work, important documents and notes. Current and unfinished assignments will go in the folder.
12. Deep Clean my House. This is pretty self explanatory. Clean house = happy Mary. It will be so much nicer to work in a tidy, organized space. I have already started organizing closets, drawers, and cupboards. The Saturday before school, we will do more of the scrubbing, wiping, laundry, and vacuuming.
13. Squeeze the Last Day of Summer for All it's Worth. On Labor day, John and I want to take the kids to float the river, perhaps go on a hike, and end the day with a bonfire. As a sidenote: I hope to wrap it all up by 6:00 PM that Monday so we have time for showers, next day set up, story time, and early bedtime.

So there is the hopes and dreams, I am sure a follow up will come in the next month updating on how everything went. I fully aware none of these could work or I am underestimating burn out. Either way, it so fun to document what is in my head as I walk into the unknown. I am sure years from now I will find joy in this short season prepping for the 2020/21 school year!

PEAR-fect Morning

 At 5:30 AM, I felt a little tap on my shoulder. Caity was fully dressed smiling at me. She excitedly whispered, "Time to get up, so we aren't late!" Her anticipation was a sweet wake up call.

Thirty minutes later, we walked the rows of our church's pear orchard with ladders in tow.
We watched the sun rise as we filled our picking-sacks. We got into a rhythm and when eight o'clock rolled around, Caity didn't want to leave.
To be honest, I was not looking forward to this little outing. It seemed exhausting, maybe even monotonous. However, there is something peaceful about working at the pear orchard, I soften and my busy mind rests. Every step I take up the ladder feels lighter. I physically see my surroundings more clearly the higher I go, and in turn; my mental view elevates as well. As I climbed up, then down, then up again; my thoughts meandered through memories of John and my newlywed days working, schooling, and parenting a baby Caity. My current problems and worries didn't feel so heavy in the context of my broadened viewpoint.

One pear at a time we filled our satchels, and one satchel at a time we filled the crates. One crate at a time will load semi-trucks, and one truck at a time will fill a warehouse. A warehouse of pears will become a warehouse of canned pears. Cases of canned pears will be distributed to needs around the world. One can at a time will reach the hands of someone who hopefully feels the love of those who picked the pears months before. Perhaps they will feel the sweet joy eating them that Cate and I felt gathering them.

I picked one pear at a time, but it wasn't lost on me the larger impact a small and simple act will have. What a beautiful metaphor for life.
It was a blessed way to start the day. To share it with Caity made it all the better.

Hikes, School Supplies, & Drives

To be quite honest, I am in a bit of an emotional slump.
It's not that I'm not happy, because when I think about it logically, I most definitely am. I imagine there are nerves at play in my mind as the new school year approaches, and I overthink how long this Covid-19 business has gone on and will go on. Perhaps all the ups and downs stock pile and neutralize my heart so it feels a little emotion-dead.  And yet, like an emotional defibrillator there are experiences throughout my day shocking the numbness, helping me feel what is "real" around me.

This morning John and I shook all our kids out of bed (except Johnny, the early riser) to go on a family hike. It was crisp air and lush scenery. Leaves were already turning color, and they displayed quite the sunset under our feet. I held Matthew's hand as we tried to outrun the others. Caity kept William motivated with her magical sister ways I can only admire. At the top of the trail, Johnny, John and I sat overlooking the beautiful valley and my heart felt content. The sun hit the hills of trees in a way I don't experience in our evening hikes, and it was like seeing the view for the first time. I didn't have words, so I just gave John's hand an extra squeeze.

I took the kids shopping for school supplies this afternoon. It makes me smile now, remembering the chaos. Hopefully this indicates it wasn't quite as bad as it felt in the moment. I optimistically brought masked, hungry children into a busy store. If they weren't overwhelmed between which composition notebook to choose, they were arguing over who got to push the cart (even though Mom reminded them multiple times, only Mom pushes the cart.) Even on the craziest of outings, those kids make for a good time. It is with great pride Johnny will show you his shark folder, and William his red notebook. There is something about new school supplies that feels like a field of sunflowers for me. I drove a van full of happy campers home from Walmart, that's for sure.

John and I snuck away to pick up a gutter for some camper re-construction project. We drove through those old country roads that bring me life. Grapes were ripening on vines, farmers were bailing hay, "hemp" was growing up in rows, and John was trying to sell me on a country song playing on the radio. I love making John laugh and I got a couple good chuckles out of him today. When I'm driving with John I don't have to worry about anything, I just feel like myself. Laughing together with the wind rushing through my fingers grounded me in a very happy and infinite memory.

In time I will feel like myself again. For now, I will ride this out collecting those sweet moments that remind me that I am still very much alive, valued, and yes; happy.

They looooove their dog! Hahaha!

Dwindling Summer

Summer days are dwindling. (Online) School starts in two weeks and I know I am going to crave the easy going nature of these days. This Summer has been particularly hot for Medford. A week ago, it was 108 degrees! We don't have a very functional A/C, so there have been a lot of lazy afternoons and evenings spent swimming in our little above ground pool. 

Because of Covid-19, it's been strange having "no where to go, and no where to be." This summer has been void of parks, large play groups, library visits, museums, family grocery trips, public swimming, and church and community activities. It has been strange. I know I will still look back on this summer with a sweet fondness. From tea-time Tuesday to Pokemon Trading Day (Friday), we've tried to create fun traditions to look forward to. Luckily, we live in a place with a lot of accessible outdoor activities. We have been able to float the river, go on regular hikes, visit lakes, go camping, rock-climb over-looking a beautiful valley, go black berry picking, and hunt for Big Foot! 

I think I will treasure closest to my heart the regular moments around our home.

Basketball Games in the driveway.

William and Matthew playing with toy animals for hours (and all the sound effects).

Lego creations with creative story lines that suck Johnny in for days.

Kids club in the back shed.

The Rice boys running in and out of my house all day.

Caity going on bike rides with friends in the neighborhood.

Homemade cookies multiple times a week. 

Nightly walks with John and Rosco.

Everyone up until 10:00 pm because it doesn't get cool until 8:30 pm.

Job charts nobody does.

Reading...lots of reading.

Daily wrestling matches (Matthew getting a bloody nose yesterday- eek!)

Running from the pool to the bath tub and back again.

Caity crafting at her desk, making story boards, and organizing some new idea.

Jogging with Caity in the mornings. 

William and Matthew playing with hot wheels. 

The boys helping John fix up his truck.

Switching bedrooms so William shares with Caity now.

Movies on Date Night.

Marco Polos with friends.

Kids riding bikes around the neighborhood.

I mean....just living. I am craving routine and clear direction like a crazy person, but there is something fleeting about aimless days of togetherness. Yesterday, I laid on the couch reading, serenaded by the kids' game they were playing and I tried to savor the simpleness of the perfect moment. I do feel like quarantining has compelled me to appreciate the sweetness of frozen time. 

In two weeks we enter society's schedule again as we will pull out our chromebooks and fill our calendars with zoom meetings. Rather than focus on the nerves this brings, I am just going to live in this "August Moment" a little longer.