Face Masks

Noah was assigned to make a face mask by his science teacher.  He constructed it out of Bounty Paper Towels and rubberbands.  He did a nice job creating this although he can't really wear it outside.  We are continuing to social distance, we are wearing face masks, and not going out.  It's been 11 weeks.  Is this our new normal???

Just keep swimming

Micah created this drawing and Jawsh had some fun animating it.  As we head into another month of distance learning, social distancing, and Zoom everything... we just have to keep on swimming.  When will this end???  

Night walk

We have been taking walks together throughout the day.  Night walks are especially fun because there are less people out and we can enjoy the sounds of the frogs from the creek.  Here are my guys...  we are lucky that we all get along.  How long will this last???

Rice Krispies ala Lucky Charms

The Tuesday tradition of Rice Krispy Treats continue.  Tonight the boys picked out the marshmallows out of their Lucky Charms cereal and added it to the mixture.  What will they think of next???

Beach antics

We are very fortunate that we live about 5-10 minutes from the beach.  We are still not going towards the water because there are just too many people without masks and not social distancing.  However, there is plenty of beach for everyone and we have enjoyed our time there.  Jawsh and Noah have been throwing the football around and Micah has been into digging holes.  I don't know why... he just really enjoys it.  So, as I sit and watch the waves roll by and breathe in the salt air, I am thankful that our family is healthy. Will we head into the waves next time???

2 Point Perspective

Noah and Micah both have Art class and have been working on different pieces but sometimes their assignments overlap.  The boys were both assigned a 2 point perspective piece and they drew their bedroom.  They did a nice job drawing and it doesn't hurt that their Dad is there to help them along.  What other art assignments will they complete this term???

Remote Teaching

15 years of teaching has not prepared me for this moment... teaching remotely is quite a challenge!  Zooming with my first and second grade students, lesson planning, and making sure that the curriculum is being taught well can be really stressful.  There are a lot of factors that we are all dealing with and it's hard to tell if I'm being effective.  While I am teaching, Jawsh is in the living room working, and Noah and Micah are working in their bedroom studying.  Micah has been Zooming with his math/science teacher daily, but Noah's teachers have not scheduled online classes so it can be pretty frustrating.  When will this end???

Venice Canals

As each Mother's Day passes, the less I want to have a day to myself but time with the boys.  Although we are still in full quarantine mode, we took some time to take a walk at the Venice Canals.  The Venice Canals are near Venice Beach and there are four canals that are about a quarter mile long.  There are beautiful bridges and homes.  I have never been and I was pleasantly surprised by the walk.  The paths were a little narrow which made it tricky if people walked past us so we would find ourselves on the steps of someones front yard to make sure we weren't too close.  All in all, we had a nice time and I was thankful that there were not too many people and that we were able to able to enjoy the beautiful weather outside.  When will we visit the canals again???

Purim Play

Before COVID-19, the boys were working on a play about Purim with their peers in Hebrew School.  We got to view it today over Zoom during Shabbat.  It was fun to watch the kids reenact Purim.  Micah played Moses and Noah was the narrator.  What play will they act out next???

Rancho Palos Verdes

Today we took a scenic drive down the coast in Rancho Palos Verdes.  There was so much marine layer that it looked like we were above the clouds.  It was a beautiful day to drive... we could see Catalina Island and Malibu.  When will we take our next drive???

Happy Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day, all of the cousins participated in an Earth Day contest.  Noah made Darth Vader out of a toilet paper roll and Micah made ObiWon Kenobi out of a Yoplait cup with Jawsh.  Sophie made a cactus plant holder and Daphne made various items out of a t-shirt (i.e. bracelets, dog clothing, etc).  Kaitlyn made a Timothy Chalamet doll and Emma made a flower out of paper.  Out of all of the recycled items, the Denver cousins won the first annual family contest.  What will they make next year???

Mofettas

In honor of Shavuot, a spring holiday known as the "Festival of the Giving of the Torah" the boys made mofetta. It reminded the boys of crepes. They participated with their Hebrew class and joined a Zoom with a Kosher chef. They had a great time and added whip cream and fruit topping. When will they make this again???

Halmoni's Chicken Tacos

We had quite the surprise when my Mom and brother dropped off groceries for us.  The boys were so excited to see that my mom dropped off her marinated chicken and we made tacos.  It's amazing how food connects us.  When will we get to share a meal with our family again???

Happy Easter

Although the boys were happy to receive their Easter baskets they were definitely disappointed that they did not get a chance to celebrate with their cousins.  Their cousins also felt the same way.  Throughout the day, they were calling one another but it wasn't the same.  We know that we want to keep everybody safe by keeping socially distant but it's also very hard to do.  When will we get to see the cousins again???

Pandemic Puzzles #2

The second pandemic puzzle has been finished. This is the puzzle of the world that the boys enjoyed so much more than Star Wars. They thought it was easier because there was so much color and they finished the puzzle within hours! Will they do the MC Escher puzzle next???

California Poppies

We have been home for three weeks now.  Mask wearing, socially distant, ordering groceries, and remote learning is our new reality.  We decided to venture out to the Antelope Valley to see the poppies.  It's been a while since we have been out and it was a good day trip.  It was extremely windy, so much wind, that my ears were hurting! The boys loved running through the fields without a mask (there was not a lot of people around) and we enjoyed looking at all the poppies.  They looked so beautiful, bright, and waxy!  When will we head back???

Star Wars Puzzle

The first puzzle of the pandemic.  This one was challenging with 1000 pieces plus all of the black from Darth Vader didn't help either.  The boys worked together and were happy that they finished the puzzle.  Since they have time, I am going to bring out the MC Escher puzzle out next.  How will they do with that puzzle???

Rice Krispies

Tonight the boys made Rice Krispies.  Although they wanted to make cookies, flour is hard to find at stores.  We were able to order Rice Krispy cereal and marshmallows so they enjoyed making that.  They did a great job.  Will they start making treats now???

Skateboarding

The boys have a few weeks to learn how to skateboard now that school is officially out for a break due to COVID-19.  We know that we have to stay socially distant from friends and family now.  What will the next few weeks bring???

Google inspired

These Google illustrations were drawn by Noah (top) and Micah (bottom) with the theme of kindness.  With all that is going on in the world, our hope is that we can all show kindness right now.  How will we show kindness to others???