The Daily Hailey

Its day one of the quarantine. Not for everyone, I suppose. I know not everyone has the luxury of being home with their kids, and for that, I am SO grateful. It doesn’t feel so different than just an average Saturday over here, but I’m not dumb to the reality that, by the end of a weekend, the big kids are ready to get back to school. Its going to be pretty interesting!

I have lots of goals. Maybe “goals” is the wrong word. I’d LOVE to do a good job of having my kids home for this length of time. I’d love to have some semblance of schedule, where the kids do some workbook stuff for a chunk of the day, and a time where they for sure read. An artistic, colouring/crafty time. So their days are interesting and productive and not just a total free for all. Though there is definitely a place for free for all days. Lots of them. 

I’m for sure taking this first week to just feel it all out. I’m curious what will happen at the end of the week, when school is officially closed closed. I hope, by then, I can be somewhat organized, and make the most of our months. I want to be hands-on, but gentle, and calm. We’ll see how that all turns out. Not all of those are my strong suits. 

I’m happy to say this morning has been fairly smooth 🙂 Apart from one good solid meltdown from Solomon, everyone has been happy and docile. We began with cinnamon buns I found in the freezer yesterday.

The kids LOVED that. It was as though we were celebrating the quarantine. See? Making the best of it. Dekker and Laela finished breakfast first and I asked if they’d help me a bit in the kitchen. I was going to ask them to help me unload the dishwasher, but then as I ran around, doing things for the other kids, they finished that up and loaded it together, too! I’m so grateful for my kids. Once dishes were done, I started to assemble supper in the crock pot, and while I didn’t give the kids much to do with that part (its a VERY sticky supper) I talked them through the recipe and how to read it, how to use a slow cooker, etc. They listened great from their spots at the island. Both of the big kids have been asking more and more to help make meals, so I guess we’re going to do that now!

Since the help in the kitchen wrapped up, this has been our morning. 

All on their own. Just reading to each other, and themselves. There are stuffed toys, blankets, and books littering my floor, and I’m really happy about it. I know every day won’t look this way, but its a pretty sweet kick off ❤️