Days with the Dorans

 I kind of figured this would happen sooner or later but Al has decided she's not going to take viola anymore. She's kind of nervous to let her orchestra teacher know since she said something about her being in the more advanced orchestra next year and typical Ali doesn't want to let her down. She's decided to keep going with French (to take AP French her senior year) and also wants to take art as well as some other classes psychology/ sociology that she's interested in. I get it. There's never enough time and I remember having to choose between art and sports in HS and I even had a 0 and 7th hour (independent studies) to get things in. Still, I'm going to miss hearing her play- maybe just maybe she'll pick it up now and then and play a little Harry Potter for her dear old mama...

  Even though the kids aren't IN school, they certainly are still doing it. I found this video of Z playing (he must have had to turn in a video) on my phone. And likewise... we got a concert from my favorite fourth grader. School has been interesting for him because I'm finding I need to be more on top of him and help him with questions and things. I love that he has his own instrument to play too. I wonder what he will choose when it comes time for middle school!

Well, it looks like Easter is going to look different this year. And... We aren't going to be able to go on our trip to Myrtle Beach (now Covid is making me mad... I was OK to take off a couple weeks but.... grrrr) To lighten up the mood and get in the spirit, we decided to paint the window to make it look like stained glass- and BOOM instant church window, right? Time to set the fab four to work! Sean was the first to bail, and then Z but the Bigs did finish and then randomly they all decided to hang out on the stairs. I guess it is the best place to view their masterpiece!  

OK~ with all this togetherness and stuck inside it was time to learn new things and leave it to my sweet, smart, daughter to find something to do that would benefit us all! Ali loves watching those baking shows and while yes- this is just a boxed cake- she did it on her own and let me tell you it looked and tasted great! In addition to this cake, she's also been making homemade banana bread (no boxes for that) and yummy cookies. I guess it's a good thing we're all still running/ getting exercise because these sweet treats are hard to put down! YUMMY!!!  

  Well, thanks to JoJo we had some fun to send the kids on! They went on a scavenger hunt throughout the neighborhood where they had to find things, take a picture of them and then send them in. The first one to find all the things won. Since Joey has his license, we sent him with the kids and they had fun while Ali took the pictures. I'm not going to lie- this may be a fun thing to do even if we weren't in the middle of a crazy virus! And this picture I just had to keep big- I think maybe they had to find a garbage can or something... I laughed because they were not keen about taking pictures and worried someone would see them. I just had to laugh. And I think so did they. It was fun!

  Getting out for a good run is just what the doctor ordered and look who joined me!! And... loved seeing the kids out and playing some soccer too! Not everything is wrong with the world... ;-)

  Ok~ I'm not going to lie. Our family has always gotten along really well and I'm kind of digging being home together. We're having more game nights and I'm not missing the crazy running (well, I like running, but you know what I mean). We're even getting a little silly... I love these people (and dog).

  Not going to lie~ it's strange teaching from home and learning all of these new things. I knew a LITTLE (and I mean little) about Google Classroom but this is a whole new ballgame. We're teaching from home so I post in here and the kids write to me. It's been different and my mind is certainly on overload. In addition, we're using this thing called "Zoom" it's like Facetime but with lots of people so we have had some staff meetings like this. It's crazy how fast we are pivoting to learn new things to make this work.

  Well~ here we are! Another day where my favorite runner, ran. I just need to put it here to document that it happened!

  St. Patrick's Day was on a Tuesday. Normally we would all be going to school but because of Covid, we were all home and I'm not going to lie, I love that all the kids were able to go on the scavenger hunt together! Yes! The Leprechaun still came, made a mess and left clues around the house. It was great to see the kids working out the clues together to find the treasure which was (of course) a box of Lucky Charm cereal and a few other fun trinkets. And this mom got the gift of a group picture! Normally the Bigs are gone before Zach even gets up and Zach leaves before Sean is up so to have them all together and sitting at the island having breakfast was pretty cool! Even Marty got in the holiday spirit with his green bow! School is weird... I'm helping Sean with his posted lessons and I think he kind of likes having mom help him. ' I KNOW Marty is getting spoiled having us all home! One of Sean's lessons today was to draw a leprechaun. We all got into it and did it...

  So this is weird! There's a virus going around that is really contagious so we are closing down schools until after spring break. Our last day with kids was Friday the 13th and it was weird (and not just because it was a full moon). We had them take all their winter gear home and had to put things together quick for them to do at home.  Some of my kids didn't come to school on Friday and one poor kiddo was terrified and didn't even want to come in my room. He was terrified and I was so sad for him. I haven't heard too much about this virus but it is very serious. We had professional development today to learn all about Google Classroom and are going to be posting lessons for the kids online. This is weird. At least I'm familiar with making videos for school (thank you YouTube). I'm wondering if we could go to Myrtle Beach a little early... I feel like I could use a break!

So after a week off from running (which felt like FOREVER) I started running again- easy and on the treadmill and then it was time to take Marty out again. I actually signed us up for a 5K and he ROCKED it!! He looked so handsome in his medal so of course I had to take some pictures of him! Great job, Marty!! Great to be running with you again!  

What do you do on a Saturday night, when you're in High School? Well... you do this! With my ankle still hurting, I wasn't moving. Ali and Joe had friends over (Ali's bestie and Ali's boyfriend who also happens to be Joey's friend- so weird but I guess that sort of thing was bound to happen). Still watching them play the Switch was HILARIOUS! I love Ali's BF, Ellie. She is such a sweet gal and I love how sweet she is to Seany too (and I think he likes it too). She came with Ali to help me set up my room and wants to be an elementary teacher. Though I wouldn't recommend this profession if you have a calling, you have a calling and I would definitely help anyone who truly wants to work with kiddos! And yes... I'm still resting!!! And Marty is still my little mama's boy!