COVID-19

Working differently 

So it’s been a crazy last few weeks.  We as healthcare worker have never experienced anything like this before. We are lucky in Minnesota that we have time to prepare and be ready as we can when the numbers hit us.  I have been quarantined because of a possible exposure at work.  I feel fine- I had the swab and it was horrible!  If all people knew what a NP swab felt like it would encourage social distancing.  My swab came back negative.  I’m still working from home and watching for any symptoms.  I’m so grateful that I have a job that will allow me to work from home - even though I would rather be on my unit helping.  I will be able to return to work next week. As nurse leaders we will be covering some weekends and working from home a couple of times a week.  Things have been changing daily.  I miss our old norms and know that it will be a long time until things feel normal again.  The kids are home and we started distance learning this week. One good thing for having me at home was to be able to be here and get them up and running.  The kids have no idea  how weird the world is right now.  I wonder how they will look back on all this.  They will be like remember that year we had the really long summer ?!  The next few weeks are going to stay just as crazy as the last few! I hope everyone stays healthy and doesn’t run out of toilet paper :)  Blessings and thank you’s to all the front line staff all over the world.  Keep showing up and doing your thing!!

Ansel turns 6

My baby boy turns 6!!

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Dinner at Rancho Loco

Whipped cream in the face! 

 Yes, we got him a dart gun.  Yes, not enough 3 minutes later someone was crying because the boys were shooting each other in the head....boys....

Bowling party with friends

Mine craft cake 

Happy Birthday Ansel!  Time sure does buzz by way to fast.  Our littlest is 6!  We are totally out of the 'little' kid phase in our house.  Ansel has changed so much this year.  He loves kindergarten.  He has learned to read!  He loves doing any thing his brothers are doing- including fighting, making a mess, peeing on the floor- you know boy things :)  When he grows up he wants to be a scientist. You sure do complete our crazy family Ansel! 

Pushing through winter

Movie dates! 

So much playing

Cavities- Milk shakes after always help! 

So here we are entering another month.  The time seems to speed up every month no matter how busy we are or not.  The boys are all doing well in school: Axel 6th grade- he was on the A honor roll again!  Abel 3rd grade: doing great at math and reading, learning cursive   Ansel Kindergarten:  has done so well learning to read, write and do math this year!  Home work time is in full force at our house.  Most days it takes a little push to finish but they all are doing so well.   All three boys love video games- they have an Xbox and Nintendo switch.  Most of the games are WAY beyond me but I do like to play smash bro when I can- but the boys totally whoop up on me no matter how many times I try :)  The weather is slowly starting to get warm.  I can't wait for summer. 

I want to ride my bike

I have been blogging a little less lately but I have a new focus that has been taking my free time. I got a Peloton!  I have had it just over a month.  I have really enjoyed getting a little time for me: getting healthy and don’t have to leave the house.  It really makes a different with our schedules and being so saturated with kid stuff. Yay for biking to no where :) I’ve been getting an average of 3-6 miles a day.

Vegas

The entry to the pizza place - no signs 

Found the secret pizza place 

 Brian and I got to sneak away for a quick three day trip to Vegas!  The tickets were super cheep- gives a good excuse.  We have found out that only going away for a few days is better for the kids.  Thanks to Ann for watching the boys for us!  I just love traveling with Brian.  No kids- just the two of us!

My big wins!  I didn’t gamble the rest of the trip 

Our view 

3rd grade concert

Abel all ready for his concert! 

Brothers :)

12 years old!!

We have officially entered the weird zone of having a pre-teen in the house!  It's crazy how much he has changed and grown up this year.  6th grade- in the middle school.  Middle school has allowed him to become involved in so many thing: cross country, math league, speech, band, choir and robotics. He even had his first school dance- so awesome and scary!   He was on the A honor roll during the first semester!  He has big plans to go to MIT.  Keep up the grades and it will help! 

Turning 12 is a big deal! He only has one year left and he really is a teenager!  When did that happen?  This year has been full of school activities and friends.  Being social is a big part of his life now. (we did end up getting him a cell phone this year also- its been nice for communication for picks ups and what not)  Axel is officially taller then me and his shoes have grown 3 sizes this school year alone!  He is hot and cold with his personality right now- way more then he ever was.  I have to remind myself to take a breath and give him space.  I remember being his age and I get it- there is a lot to figure out.  I love the talks we have in the evening.  He is becoming such a cool interesting person.  (he even put his head on my shoulder while sitting on the couch the other night- I could have sat there all night :) sure doesn't happen very often any more.)  Happy Birthday (Jan 5th) to my first born.  I'm so proud of you!