Covid 19 Pandemic Week 11

Saturday May 23rd:
The day started with a new breakfast experiment; sourdough pancakes!  (They don't actually taste like sourdough but they are the fluffiest pancakes I've ever made!) Lucy likes to call them "cloud" pancakes.  Next we headed to the mountain biking trails for a short loop before some dark clouds came in. The kids also had a brief tea party outside (again difficult to get pictures due to Charlie's outfit choice).
Today was a new first for us in terms of pandemic events!  We did our first drive through party; a graduation party for Paula's son Jaeden.  The kids were quite confused but did seem to grasp the idea of it being like a parade.  Lucy was excited to color Jaeden a special fishing inspired card.  Unfortunately the skies opened up right as we were driving over.  The party was so much fun we drove by twice.  Since the rain was limiting all options, we drove all the way to Chaseburg to try for some flower baskets at an Amish greenhouse.  We realized part-way that we didn't have any cash but figured a gas station would have an ATM.  We completely struck out as one place was out of order, a bank didn't have a drive through ATM and a third town's gas station was just plain closed.  It was a nice drive though and gave the kids time to do some art.
The day did clear up at the end of the day, so the kids got out for some more backyard play with their new favorite toy, the hose.  As with most play sessions lately, they also took all their clothes off. It's becoming harder to find pictures to post because they are naked most of the time lately.  In a fun surprise, Kerry's scoliosis teacher/mentor stopped over to introduce her son and grand-daughter.  Her son moved in just down the road from us and will be starting his residency at Gundersen.

Look how fluffy those pancakes are!

Tea Party (clothes optional)

Mountain bike ride.

Getting ready for the party.

Eating ice cream from the party.

The drive through party.

Sunday May 24th:
Isaac drove to the cities this morning in order to visit his brother. The kids and I opted for a new hike that we have nicknamed "the race car hike".  Charlie liked the car and Lucy liked the butterfly meadow.  Both kids came up with an elaborate story about how their friend Sophie (she's made up) drove the car up into the woods and crashed it there.  Mom was hopeful to find some more morel mushrooms, but no luck today.
We made it home just in time to stay dry before the rains came.
After a quick storm, lunch, and unsuccessful quiet time we did another walk. This time we went into the marsh and explored some new trails as well as a stop at the prairie maze.  The kids ran all over the maze while Mom took a break on the bench, phew.
Isaac made it back in time to help with bed and do a lovely post-bed time fire!

Beginning the "race car" hike.

We found it!

Much discussion about "Sophie's race car" here.

Snack time in the butterfly meadow on top of the bluff.  We are excited to come back when the flowers are blooming and some butterflies might be present.

Walk #2 in the Marsh.

Running around in the prairie maze.

Always a wonderful way to end the evening once the kids are down!

Monday May 25th:
Happy Memorial Day!
The kids and I started the day off with readying our dough for pretzels.  Kerry's only new pandemic hobby has been learning the art of sourdough.  Charlie just touched everything in sight but Lucy really caught onto twisting the pretzel.  Mom went on a 10 mile run and then boiled and baked the pretzels upon returning.  Lucy loved the pretzels and Charlie wasn't sold.
Lucy went on a puzzle building rampage while Charlie took a monster nap.  We ended the day by exploring a small nature preserve.  We hadn't been there since taking maternity photos there 6 years ago!

Yet another clothes optional tea party.

Pretzels made by Lucy!

Lucy out on a campus ride with Dad.

Puzzle completed; this one used to be very challenging for Lucy and now she can spot pieces before Mom and Dad!

Checking out a water feature at the Paul Stry Nature Preserve.

Finding frogs in one of the ponds at the preserve.

Tuesday May 26th:
Back to work for Mom...A whole walloping 2 day work week this time.  The furlough continues, but we are now busier than ever now with trying to fit patients into the small time-frame we are there.

A cute picture Mom received while at work.  The kids are allowed to pick one toy to take to Paula's each day.  Charlie chose Froggy. 

 Wednesday May 27th:
Kerry's "Friday" was today.  It was an even busier day yet and resulted in the need to continue the paperwork tomorrow.  Although it was a bit of a chilly day, the kids' persistence paid off and we finally set up the pool they have been asking about for months.

Thursday May 28th:
The kiddos went to Paula's while Kerry finished her paperwork.  Next it was on to pool party day 2!
Thanks to the Hyland family for some pool toys to liven up the pool :).

Another chilly pool day but they don't care!

Thank goodness these two mostly play well together and often without facilitation.  This is dinner time with their stuffies.

Friday May 29th:
Time for the official weekend!
Dad and Lucy did some more biking today while Charlie and Mom went to the marsh.  Lucy is now working on a bigger bike with a handbrake. There were a bunch of kids Lucy's age up at the mountain biking trails when we were there last weekend.  Isaac saw a bike option and we decided Lucy should have a trail specific bike in order to help her rides go easier and more fun.  We have her bike ordered and there will be plenty of posts once she's up and riding!
Mom didn't get any pictures from the marsh walk but we saw a lot of neat wildlife!  Several muskrats, turtles, geese with babies, and a (school?) of carp (yuck!).  The carp moved together in a pack and kept swirling around and coming to the surface. 

Practicing on a bigger bike.  We sure appreciate the bike hand me downs from the Hylands and Lings!