Safe at home they say.  Yes.  We are safe at home.  There is so much to be just thankful.  I am able to work.  We are healthy…There is also a lot to laugh at right now.  So let’s just recall some of my favorite memories so far…

Video Conference with my Boss and her Team Lead

There I was during my early morning video conference with my boss  and her team lead.  “Work, work, work, work” # Productive # HappinessAndJoy.  20-ish minutes in…all three kids tumbled sleepily into my office in some semblance of clothing (thank goodness).  Our people-deprived children were SO excited.  Simultaneously all three people started crawling over me and gawked at my boss while I was trying my best to maintain some semblance of conversation.  At some point, Ellie climbed behind my laptop onto my desk and put her hair was in front of the camera.  In a move of desperation, I sent them to the other room to watch a SHOW.  A weekend only activity.  My boss continued as if nothing happened.  My brain was m.e.l.t.i.n.g.  I am so thankful to have a boss who has had children.  

Working/Experiments During Nap

Ellie has dutifully given up nap time — as one does during quarantine-times.  While G naps, I feverishly knock out as much work as possible.  This work period often becomes a work versus risk evaluation.  For instance, who would be overly worried about a four yr old washing the dishes.  Sure I’ll need to re-wash the kitchen, the floor, the dishes, the walls…but that’s on the menu anyway.   I’ll buy 20 minutes of un-interrupted work…

Fast forward to today…I was prepping dinner.  Peels of laughter tipped me off that something might be awry.   Dear Gretchen, I always wanted pink sprinkles glued to the floor.  All of which thankfully cleaned up fairly easily.  # ItHappenedSoFast # WhoLeftSprinklesOut

Note to the Not So Fun-ness

I am hoping the difficulty is in my head.  That it’s me who is silently melting on a daily basis as I feel so far less productive.  Work is usually my re-charge time.  My time for me, for adult thought, for creative space.  Sharing this space has truly been a challenge.  I get many spouses stay home.  That is an incredibly hard job.  For me, work provides a welcomed balance.  Right now, there is no balance.  The end of my work day is a battle between InstaAnger and Patience.  How did every. single. toy. get thrown on the floor.

Major credit is due to George for not questioning the daily house explosions.  He comes home and silently picks up while turning on the “robot clean up song” to inspire assistance from the crew.  SO MUCH THANK YOU.

Happiness and Joy

I could couch this time as rainbows and butterflies but the truth is it’s been hard.  How do I balance my work expectations with three little people who need…need…need.  I’m incredibly grateful for this time for relationship building, for quiet moments but it’s been a struggle.  I’m so appreciative that Sweetpea can do her own school work and needs limited assistance — as I was so sweetly reminded today.

It hasn’t been all doom and gloom.  It’s been REALLY hard but we’ve tried to add in special moments.  We celebrated Aunt S, Grandma, and Grandad’s birthdays by singing Happy Birthday heartily while eating pie or pop tarts.

Sweetpea is learning to roller skate, Ellie is trying to ride a two wheel bike and Gretchen…potty train (sometimes).

I was told in no too uncertain words that Easter was the best day EVER.  “I eat bunny hop” – Gretchen referring to her chocolate bunny.