The Faulkners: In Lockdown

January 1st started out as usual with yummy ebelskivers. They take a good while to make so Graham was actually pricing out a second pan but I think we would have to greatly increase the number of times we make them in order to justify the purchase. Given that we fill them with cheese, jam, nutella, peanut butter, or chocolate chips, and put maple syrup on top, we should probably just use the pan we have once a year. It's a fun tradition though.

After the ebelskivers, I kept working on my first 1000-piece puzzle. I enjoyed doing it but it was a little addictive so I'm not sure I'll try another one anytime soon.

On January 2, the three new members of our household arrived. They swim nonstop and go by the names Sam, Sunny, and "Coles or Lisa depending on whether it is a boy or girl." The novelty soon faded as the kids don't like the smell of the fish food so I feed the guppies.

On January 4, online school started. I'm so thankful and impressed by all that the teachers are doing. We have a new rhythm to our days with the various Google meets and lunch that starts at 11:05. It's fun to see what the kids are learning and to help them with it (and at other times it's less than fun). Overall, it's doable because I am home and able to help. Thankful for this.

Introduced the kids to The Sound of Music

This month I started an 8-week Health Challenge. I get points each day for various items - drinking lots of water, eating certain items, exercising, sleeping enough, not eating sugary snacks, etc. I LOVE points! After this is over I may try to make up a point system for cleaning my home. It's worth a try!

I started exercising by walking outside but the only time I am able to go is when it is dark and one time I was walking and heard a man yelling really loudly and sounding very angry. I went back home and he eventually passed my house and I have now seen him two other times (always in the dark, angry and yelling) so I don't feel great about that. I then started walking through my home and now I'm generally in my room with music on moving around for 45 minutes. I'm actually enjoying this time, which is very surprising.

There is one day a week when you don't get points for skipping sugar. In my world this sadly means that I go overboard on the sugar that day. However, this week I didn't feel great at the end of that day so perhaps this will teach me some moderation as well.

Graham thought to use a loaf pan

The kids made a fort/sleeping area on and under the large table in our living/dining room. They asked to sleep out there so we let them. Kohen and Lily-Anna slept on top of the table full of blankets and pillows and sleeping bags. Isaac slept underneath the table. I was a little nervous and checked on them a few times. The first time I found Lily-Anna lying off the table on a big couch cushion that was between the window and the table and her leg was dangling down. I moved her. I decided to leave them to God's care and get some sleep. I heard Isaac (who was probably the most comfortable) move to his bed in the middle of the night. He likes his bed. Kohen read Lily-Anna's Bible and another story to her before they went to sleep. He was so excited to help her. They had fun.

I think I have baked more than usual this month. Mainly cookies, I think. My mother has also been baking more and blessing us with it so the kids are certainly not short on treats. Her specialties are muffins, loaves, bars, cakes (and buying chocolate bars).

I just finished reading The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street to the kids. I really enjoyed the characters and the community in which they lived. I liked what the father said on page 251: "I have always believed that raising kids means more than just being a good parent and trying to do the right things. ... It means surrounding your kids with amazing people who can bring science experiments and jam cookies, laughter and joy, and beautiful experiences into their lives." I haven't done a great job of this as a parent but hopefully I'll do a better job post-Covid. By the way, I edit as I read if there's something I don't need the kids (or one of the kids) to hear so my recommending a book doesn't mean I enjoyed every single thing about the book. There are already four more books in the series so hopefully they are good as well. I'm very thankful for libraries!

These last couple of weekends, we have been enjoying the outdoors. We've gone to three different trails/forests (one twice) and had adventures. This doesn't mean my kids have been thrilled by the idea of going there but three out of four times they really enjoyed it. Today's outing was a little chilly and we weren't able to access the trail where we wanted so there were a few unhappy campers. Their favourite thing is not to actually walk the trail but to find the shelter made out of sticks and the old log that you can bounce on and the really steep hills to slide on and the place where you can try to cross the river or climb the steep slope, etc. I was originally hoping for an energetic walk but I have changed my expectations. It's nice to see the kids have fun in the fresh air.