Isaac's birthday and the beginning of strange times

 Well, before all this quarantine business happened, we had some good things in the works.  I was able to present at a small conference with a colleague.  It went pretty well and we even matched unintentionally!

Isaac celebrated his 7th (gasp) birthday!  He had asked for a new bike, since he had never been the owner of a brand new bike.  Happy Day buddy!

 We did a small gathering with Mike's side of the family on Saturday, March 14th and then another small gathering with my family on Sunday.  Mike made him a Sonic the Hedgehog cake this year!

 Then the official "no school" declaration was made and the boys and I were home.  Sam discovered his love of rubix cubes and had a bit of a mishap with a smaller one.

 After one day of me working remotely, this is what their rooms looked like.  Hopefully when this is all said and done we will have some time to clean and get these back in shape!

Isaac worked on some important writing.

 We have been trying to keep active during all this home time.  So, Isaac has been working on riding that new bike, he is coming very close!

 And each school day, weather permitting, the younger two and I head out in our pajamas for a scooter gang round up.  Helps get the wiggles out before online school work.

 I've been getting used to having lots of online meetings with colleagues, parents, and students!

 The boys have had lots more free time to do things like drawing and wiki stick art, Sam is loving it!

 Their amazing teachers from Nerge School have put together a whole v-learning platform.  It took us a few days to get into the flow of it all, but we are figuring it out!

 Our neighbors arranged a group facetime/kahoot game that was super fun!

 And I designed a fun writing club for my kids and several others that has been pretty exciting.  Isaac is digging being able to use a computer for writing.

I had some online drinks with friends on Friday night.  Thank goodness for technology to help us stay connect through all of this!

 The cats are also adjusting to life with us around all the time.  I don't think it's altered their napping or lounging schedule much!

 This weekend we did some shrinky dinks!

 And we had a rousing game of pie face!

 Sam is now engrossed into learning how to draw all kind of creatures and superheroes.  Here is a recent one, Godzilla.  I may have to pick up more drawing paper on my next essentials run!

 So, hoping we all stay safe and sane during these strange times and by the next post things are improving for all!

Almost spring

Well, we can just skip over February, right? Because it's a dark, cold month.  But we did have some fun despite it being the worst time of the year.  Noah finally achieved his ultimate goal of Black Belt! He had done a lot over the last 6 months especially to prepare for this day.  We prepared by making signs and gathering a good crowd to watch!

He was a little nervous heading in, but mostly just excited!

 Fred and Philie came with a sign too!

 His buddy Ari came right from basketball to join the spectators.

 He got that belt!

 So many Noah fans were there!

 We went back to the house and had a good time celebrating too!

Noah also had a play at school.  Plays/musicals are not his jam, but he did well nonetheless!

 The boys had a half day off school and Bamma took them to a new spot: Cinnaholics!  They discovered some great treats.

 Isaac joined the ranks of the toothless 1st graders!

 I had a nasty bout with shingles, it was a week I'd like to forget for sure!

 Tiny kitten, Minnie, is getting bigger and braver.  She now climbs around everywhere.

 It's really been a pretty mild winter with not a ton of snow, but we did get enough to scoop up and bring in for the cats to explore.

 We got together with the Rodriguez crew to celebrate Papa's 70th!

 And, Fred and Noah revealed some big news - the 6th graders are heading to Universal Studios in May!  Philie and I have been talking about this trip for ages and planning it for the past several months, so we are relieved to finally have the surprise out!

 Monica and Daren came over for a night of cocktail making.  Malort never tastes good, end of story!

 Minnie was spayed and had to wear the inflatable collar of shame for a week.  She was not a fan.

 Finally some sunny days to be outside!

 Sam and Isaac and I headed to the Nerge Fun Fair.

 And the cats continue to be cats, lazy and adorable or wild and mischievous! 

So now into March and the birthday gauntlet, can't wait!