Around Here Week 23: 05/31-06/06

Thursday, June 18, 2020

A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this minute and during week 12 of Covid-19 (yellow phase -opening to green phase!)



















Intentional Outdoor Hours: 120+ hours (of 1000)
Up 22 hours this week with a long day outside on Sunday when we brought home our first two goats! It was a seven hour day as we got them settled, chased Polly multiple times when she hopped out of the fence, and then sat outside in the yard to watch while they were adjusting. I got a walk in with dogs one evening to find the two meatballs (Vi & Rust) waiting for me on the path because they thought I needed found (heheh), we had a fire, went for ice cream on Krause's opening day (in a rainstorm!), and lots of beautiful summer time weather to enjoy in our yard.


Listening & Learning. I studied up on historical events like the Black Wall Street massacre (video) and the Rosewood massacre (video) and following a ton of new instagram accounts to amplify Black voices in my own social media feed (@bscott @embracingblackculture @andrehenry ). Since we weren't able to get out and attend the BLM protest happening in our own community on Saturday, the kids and I attended an online 'family friendly' protest with ParentsTogether Action and Moms Rising. During the BLM zoom protest, we danced and marched in place, listened to some poetry, and heard perspectives of people from all different ages, backgrounds, and locations. My favorite part was a momma named Angela who talked directly to the kids listening and said (paraphrasing) 'you may have already learned about people who tried to get equal rights for all people before, right? Like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. And you may be wondering why didn't it work that time? Well, my thought is that it didn't exactly work because we didn't have you! We need each of you - exactly as you are, to be part of this too; your voices and your passion for all people to make it work this time.' 

Bringing home our goats! Brandon headed out very early in the morning on Sunday to pick up our two yearling Alpines, Donut and Polly. The kids and I helped move them into the fence and it wasn't until later that evening that we realized maybe we should have done some more "bringing home goats for the first time" research. Polly hopped the fence LITERALLY 1 minute after we let her out of the crate. We had to search party for her three times that first day; half laughing, half crying, half considering returning them both and scraping the whole idea of raising goats. It got better each day - even though Polly still hops out whenever she darn well pleases. On Friday, Brandon, Grey, Gem, and Vi all took a road trip to pick up our three doelings (two La Mancha/Alpine and 1 Boer/Alpine). They were so tiny and cute (8 weeks old!) and they seemed to adjust much better than Polly. So far, so good!

Cheering on Red as he pushed through the rotten 8 as an official 2 month old! He loves tummy time and strengthening his neck muscles, he likes being in the carrier, and most of all coo'ing and goo'ing to anyone who will talk with him. He is really getting strong and can already roll from belly to his side (!)   
Heading to the pediatricians for well checks for Grey and Red. Both did great - they are growing and developing and my biggest and smallest boys are stark contrasts in how quick time moves. Red looks a lot like Grey when he was a baby and sometimes it gives me severe time lapse vertigo. 

Voting! 

Singing Happy Birthday to our four year old! The Rustman turned four on Wednesday and we had pancakes for breakfast in his honor. Abba brought over ice cream cake for lunch and we went to Krause's for ice cream later, but mostly for the tube slides because they're the best! After much discussion, we are planning a water battle party for Sunday (water guns & water balloons!) for our first actual party at our house following lockdown! 

Clapping and congratulating CT seniors in their graduation parade, including our cousin Morgan. (we are so proud of you!) I am literally incapable of watching a graduation or grad parade without crying. At least I'm consistent. 

Playdating since we are moving into green phase for the pandemic. The kids ran all over the yard with the Stephens girls while B and I got to catch up with Coach Mal. Kitty and Michael stopped over to play with the kids one evening and it was the biggest blessing to get some clothes folded and take the dogs for a walk just B and I (dog walk date, yes please!) Our neighbors stopped by to see the goats and bring our chickens some scrap watermelon (thank you!), Abba visited one afternoon for a cup of coffee, hugs, and a chat (my favorite kind of visit!), and B attended my Dad's old guy/young guy competition party for a day of outdoor activities like horseshoes and cornhole which meant Uncle Jonny had a sleepover at our house and that always makes the kids happy (and Bullet too! hah)

Summer sporting with the first baseball practice for Grey on Friday evening. He was pretty pumped to get back with his teammates again. He is playing Majors (a year early) but it will be a shortened season; playing through the end of July. 

Homeschooling for the last week of the year! The kids (barely!) finished their packets and we got everything turned in on the last day near the final hour - hah! By the end, I had taped up unfinished worksheets all over the dining room so they could each see how much they had left to do and could take them down as they finished them. The school had a sweet end of year car parade at the school that we attended. The kids got to wave goodbye to all their teachers and Violet got to tell everyone, "I'll see you next year when I'm in kindergarten!" She also joked to Mrs. Roxby, "We killed your frogs" with a straight face while Grey and I died laughing - because what the heck!? We did NOT kill any frogs, but Violet, man. She's ridiculous. 

Making hamburger casserole, turkey tacos, sloppy joes over Texas toast, buffalo chicken mac&cheese, frozen pizza, and take out pizza brought to us from Kitty & Michael when they came over to play at out house! Kitty also brought me a Dunkin iced coffee and it put actual life into my soul (love you!) 

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