As we work out way through the Star Wars movie, we’re playing a lot of Star Wars games lately. Overheard while I was working, “WYN Team, the Death Star has been spotted. Team – the Death Star is headed toward our tower. We’ve gotta go.”

I’m not sure what’s going on here but I loved to see the end result.

Turns out he man doesn’t have 6 legs. Sammy noticed and added another one later.

Tuesday was gorgeous so Penni took the kids to a local park where they spent a good 3 hours outside. Amaya was worried there would be bees so she dressed accordingly lo.

I love this picture of my socially distanced kids out in the world. And I’m glad that Amaya felt safe enough to take off her jacket and gloves. 🙂

Gabby couldn’t work on Tuesday and Penni left at 3pm so I got out, for the first time in a while so I took the kids through the McDonald’s drive through for a dinner treat. The Happy Meals toys were from the new Trolls movie and, with their order, I asked the kids if they wanted Branch or Poppy. We had orders for one Branch and two Poppys, but when we got home, we saw they made a mistake and we only had one Poppy figure. Sammy noticed first and burst into tears saying, “I asked for a girl troll, why did only Amaya get a girl troll?” I looked at him and said, “You did get a girl troll. They made a mistake with Amaya’s order.” I wish I could have captured this kid’s smile. I don’t know why he assumed it was his order that was wrong but I couldn’t let that stand. And Amaya was appeased by a Hershey Kiss.

Steven found a new spot to watch the neighbors doing yard work.

Stuck at home, we’re trying to get outside whatever the weather. I think the kids were actually excited to be able to play outside in the rain – but I’m not sure how many days we can pull that off.

Next time we’ll get the umbrella up before the rain starts.

It’s a season of celebrations around here and the kids had a good time this week with preparations for Jason’s birthday. All week, they hid birthday artwork around the house.

Steven watched a video to learn how to make his birthday craft.

This week, Sammy used his journaling time to express his POV about my work load. Though, to be honest, it’s normalizing. It’s just hard for the kids to have me here, but not here.

I peeked in on jazz class today and caught this exchange with Steven and Sammy. Bless these dance teachers instructing little kids in dance, via Zoom.

I bought felt for a project but didn’t realize that what I purchased is adhesive so the kids got busy with their own projects. Sammy started with headwear.

It was funny to see what the kids brought for show n tell on Friday. Sammy picked a carrot. Steven wanted to bring grass but he didn’t want to rip up real grass so he made some. Amaya brought Penni, via photograph.

Penni saw we had some perfect baking bananas so she and the kids made some delicious) chocolate chip banana bread.

They’re getting better and better at cracking eggs.

Amaya asked to see what it looks like to look through Stevens glass. She wears them well!

Coco, read by Daddy

Jason slept in a bit and, when went to get Sammy, I found him like this curled up against Jason. Both snug as bugs in rugs.

The kids have been sleeping with us a lot lately. To hep wean them, we have a new rule that they can only sleep with us every other night. If they choose to sleep in their room instead of with us, they earn 2 stars. So far, only Steven has taken us up on that offer but I think its been good for everyone to break the habit of nightly sleepovers.

Steven and Sammy got to work on a birthday breakfast for Jason. Sammy had the idea to make honey chocolate sauce so he melted hershey kisses on the stove and then added honey. His first original recipe! 🙂

The weather this weekend was amazing. We spent a lot of time outside on both Saturday and Sunday. The kids are back to bike riding and its amazing how much more confident they are now than they were in late fall. Same for their motorized car. Everything about being 6 makes life so much easier for all of us, especially now.

Steven has been committed to his tricycle. He was definitely more comfortable on the tricycle but I think he realized that he can’t quite keep up with his brother and sister so finally, finally, he gave his bigger kid bike a shot.

Go Steven, go!

He was really proud of himself.

The kids are all riding well, breaking well and pausing at driveways so they’ve aged into, and earned, more freedom riding their bikes. The end of our street curves into a dead end and they’re doing really well circling around down there and back toward our house with supervision from a distance, so we let Sammy try it on his own. It is amazing to be at this point.

Footrest for daddy!

Why not sew outside?

Jason was going to play ball with the boys and asked if I wanted to join. Steven said it’s more fun with just the boys! “It’s more fun with just the boys. But I still like playing with you, Mommy!” He said it’s because Jason is a better baseball teacher.

Amaya’s big plan for the day was a birthday tea party with Jason. <3

Photo credit: Steven

Photo credit: Sammy

Steven and I tried to play memory outdoors which worked, except for when the wind gusts came.

Finally, today was the last day of religious school for the year. It was always planned as the last day so the timing isn’t COVID-19 related. I hear they’re going to try to find ways to keep the kids engaged, though, since we can’t be at the temple now. (And until who knows when.)

I’ll leave you with this photo that turned up this week. Joanna and Sara, circa 1994. My senior year of HS, Sara’s freshman year.

Have a great week!