2021, March 8-14

March continues to race by. Hard to believe that it's been a year since we were told we would have to do remote learning with the kiddos for "at least" two weeks. A year later, Eliza has made quite a bit of progress in her academics, and both kids have seemed to thrive in spite of what has been an unusual and challenging twelve months. Fergus has gotten so used to having us at home that he may (but only may) miss us when we go back to being out of the house all day. 

King of the Castle in restful slumber while Dad and Eliza do school. 

Landon felt under the weather Tuesday, so he did some school from home. Both kids are learning about Utah's tribal peoples and measurement. 

As part of Eliza's social studies unit this week, she learned about Navajo blanket weaving.

She also wrote a fun "fractured" fairy tale: 

 The Mouse and the Three Cats 

Once upon a time, there were three happy cats living in a teeny tiny cottage. There were papa, mama, and baby cat living in the itty bitty cottage. They were making lunch. It was too hot, so they went for a walk. A greedy mouse living in the cottage went outside of his hole to play in the cottage. He was a mean mouse, and the cats were trying to catch him. 

The mouse was scared, but that didn't stop him!! He started to eat the food. The food was absolutely delicious. He couldn't stop eating until he ate it all!! He was tired and his belly was full, and so he went over to sit on the couch. The couch wasn't very comfortable. It wasn't even tall. It smelled like cat feet. Plus it wasn't a bed. He chewed his initials onto the wood of the cat's couch. Then the mouse climbed up the stairs very slowly, and then he went to the cat's room where there was a huge bed. He fell fast asleep. 

The cats came home to a mess!! First they found the empty bowls, and they were mad. They knew it was the mouse. Then the cats went to the couch. “The mouse chewed his initials on the couch!!” said the Papa cat. The cat family was very mad. Then they went upstairs. They found the mouse in their bed. They started to wake the mouse up!! The mouse woke up, then the mouse screamed and ran downstairs. The cats were chasing the mouse all over the place. Then the cats saw the mouse’s hole. The mouse was heading toward the hole. The mouse escaped the cats! The cats were very mad. They were going to watch out for the next year. 

Mom got the kids (and grown ups) Easter candy and corned beef, as they were on sale this week. For Eliza and Lily, this meant a couple of early gifts. 

Eliza and Hallie also got new glasses this week. At the rate Eliza breaks hers, she'll be back to the eye doctor for replacements sooner than later. 

We got flocked by flamingos on our lawn (part of a fundraiser at a local school). They were adorable, if small :) 

The weather has oscillated between warm and cold this week, with snow, rain, and clear skies often within minutes of each other. The cloud-shrouded mountain views have been astounding.  

Eliza had a hard time falling asleep Thursday night into Friday. Apparently at some time during the night, she put on "scary clown" makeup. Oh, help. 

Later in the day, she had her last meet of the season. She ended the season on a high note, placing 4th overall in her division and first on vault which was a tough one for her this season!

Look at this handsome boy. 

As Sunday was "Pi" Day, we had delicious country apple pie a la mode. 

As part of a low-tech day, Eliza and Dad made a "diamond painting" scene. Eliza learned the word "tedious" in the process, but she was very pleased with the result! 

Mike has continued developing his vector drawing skills, concentrating on learning how to produce the illusion of shading with layers.

He even has managed to get requests for paid work, something quite surprising!