Greta’s quarantine birthday fun

Starting to feel bad gut Greta... last year we all had influenza. This year we are quarantined so no party. I tried my best to make her birthday special even though we couldn’t do a lot if the things we usually do. 

Presents in the morning. New rollerblades was her favorite. Although she’s definitely made more rubber band bracelets.

She picked the food menu hit the day. Pancakes like at I-hop, tacos and cheeseburgers.

A cookie cake - made by me! And it was actually good. 

A surprise virtual party with friends, which both made my day and made me sad because I miss people. The girls played charades and had a dance party. 

The night ended with Aristocrats - her pick and a camp out in their box fort. 

Here’s to many more happy birthdays. And hopefully one year you’ll get to have a party. 

Happy 7th Birthday Greta

Wow! Hard to believe I have a 7 year old. I still look at her and see my first baby girl. I remember when my water broke and we scrambled to pack and install the car seat. I remember then next 50 hours waiting maybe not so patiently for her to make her entrance... eventually by c-section. I remember seeing her for the first time. I remember nursing her for the first time and last time.  I remember her first words and steps. All those cute baby things,  And now as she is growing up and into a big kid, I'm enjoying big and little moments with her - learning to ride a 2 wheeler, losing her first tooth and then another, watching her score her first basket and the huge smile that came after. So many more moments.

Big moments in her 6th year!

• First 2 lost teeth
• Reading like a champ
• Getting a new little sister
• First year of softball (well t-ball)
• First sleepover with Lyla (and Aunt Alicia and family) at a hotel (we were just down the hall)

Interview with Greta

My favorite friend is: Presley, Loralei, Sydney, Izzy, & Mia
My favorite thing from last year was: Going to Chicago
If I could go anywhere in the world it would be: Chicago     
When I grow up, I want to be a:  Teacher
If I had one wish, it would be: Lose my top teeth
What do you want to do now that you are 7: Carry Nora
Food: Cheeseburgers and Mac & Cheese
Snack: Little bits muffins
Book: Freddy the Fearless First Grader
Color: Coral
Sport to play: Basketball
Team: Cobras (my Upward team)
Subject: Gym
Song: Old Town Road
Movie: Turbo
Toy: Horses and Barn
Season: Summer

She’s smart, determined, creative and an amazing big sister. 

Adventures of Nora

Greta, Lola snd I came up with a shirt ideas for adventures of Nora or Nora the Explorer. So I few updates to my 5 week old.

Lots of smiles

Spit up after eating 

Likes to be part of the action and not left out 

Day 9 and 10 Homeschool

Greta

Math - workbook

Writing - so many stories 

Lola

Pre-k workbook

Sight work practice - and and the

Scavenger hunt outside 

Gym - scooter, walks,  trampoline with spelling name exercises 

STEM - Egg dying and decorating 

Home Ec - Donut making 

Movie snuggles 

Book reading 


Game playing 

Donut Making Day

My Lombardi made lots of donuts to bring down for Nora’s baptism but since they weren’t able to come we didn’t get to enjoy them. So I decided that I could make them with mom via FaceTime. And it was fun and made it feel like we were together. 

After the first batch of dough didn’t rise - which I kind of thought because of old yeast. 

I made a 2nd batch with new instant yeast.. and success!! 

And then cutting and rising again

And then frying. Lessons learned - less time is better. I over did the frying. I need a new shiffling spoon. 

So proud of myself!

And they passed the girls’ taste test

Homemade bread

Being home has made me want to cook and bake a bit more... so today I made bread and super proud of myself - I turned out!!

Only took a picture of the dough after it rose

Greta has almost eaten half a loaf! 

https://www.isavea2z.com/homemade-amish-sweet-bread-recipe-step-step-instructions/

Next up on Quarantine Bakes - mom’s donuts!

Day 7 and 8 Homeschool

To be honest, I have lost track of the days. All day Wednesday I thought it was Tuesday and now that it’s Thursday I feel like I lost a day somewhere this week. But we’ve been keeping at it and doing little bits of work each day - not much but enough that I feel good about it. 

Greta 

Animal research - she found 2 books about animals and then did a worksheet on them, writing down facts. 

Lola

Started working on sight works - just to see how she’d do. Greta even made her a word wall. 

STEM - silly putty semi-fail. we made the most of it and turned it into something more like play dough but had fun. 

Also had some super nice weather on Wednesday and spent most of the day outside - the power of vitamin D. Bike rides, barbies on the porch, horses and scootering. 

Girls finished the day with their feet in the Barbie pool 😂

Day 6 Homeschool

Well my creative juices are back at it agin. We had a good day and did some coloring, playing and a little homework. Plus Greta taught Lola and I art class and it was a lot of fun. 

Greta 

Writing - 2 stories 

Word searches

Played Sorry

Read books

Lola

Wrote letters

Started her new pre-k book which so far is too easy for her

Working on popcorn words - and and the

Sunday school - a day late I know - but Jesus walks on water. We made blue jello and then colored and cut out Jesus and put him on a popsicle stick and made him walk in water - girls thought it was cool. 

And because we live in Michigan and the weather is crazy - we made snowmen in the morning. 

And finally girls decided to sleep in their tent - a much too small tent but they did it and had fun. 

Nora’s Baptism

Well it didn’t go according to plan but we made the most of it and made it special. We had to cancel our original plans of during church and then almost all our families didn’t come. But thanks to technology they were able to join via zoom - which was incredibly special, especially when we all recited the Lords Prayer. 

Nora’s godmother - Karle - which means so much to me. She was my inspiration and motivation when she was a baby and still is. And now she’s grown into such a great young lady. I just love her! And now she can help guide Nora as well. 

Noras godfather - along with the other girls is Uncle Ian. 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Day 5 Homeschool

I’m exhausted and I’m not even working - I feel bad for the parents who are juggling both the kids and trying to work from home. I’ve done it before and at the end of the day you feel like you didn’t do either well. So because if that I’m feeling grateful I’m on maternity leave.

Greta 

Writing - watched sloth and lion videos from the Cincinnati Zoo - then wrote 3 facts and a list of questions that we then looked up together 

Reading - Greta recorded herself reading a book to Mrs. Smith and did 2 Raz kids

Lola

Finished dotter book

Mazes

Reading - 5 books with me

STEM - jelly bean experiment - water vs vinegar - and spoiler alert - vinegar won

Finished the night with 102 Dalmatians - I signed for for 7 days of Disney + and loving it but it only works on the TV in my bedroom and the girls TV upstairs. 

PS - I’m giving us the weekend off if school - I’m the teacher so I can do that 😂

Nora 1 Month

Where oh where has the past month gone?!? The girls have been home more than at school with snow days and now closed school. 

Here’s the highlights of Noras first month 

1. Very good sleeper. She usually only wakes up once between 1:30 and 2:00 am. Eats and then back to bed til about 5:30.

2. Smiles for miles. Nora pretty much came out smiling - pretty close to Lolas smiling. 

3. She loves her sisters and loves sitting with them and listening to them read. 

4. Has a bit of a sensitive belly. And spits up quite a bit and also have projectile vomited a few times.  I need to be more careful with what I eat 😬

5. Is a good car rider - not that we’ve gone many places and not that we’ve driven too long of lengths.

6. Loves going on walks - well I think she does - she usually falls asleep pretty quickly. 

7. Has outgrown several newborn clothes. 

8. Eats about 7 to 8 times a day and is a great eater. 

9. Still has her belly button on - girls don’t like it. Hoping it falls off soon - I can’t wait to give her a real bath - I think she’ll love it. 

10. Can hold her head up for several seconds and move it side to side. 

Nora is the perfect completion to our family and is loved more than words can say. 

Day 4 homeschool

I’m fading... lol. I can feel my motivation weaning. But I won’t give in, just need to stick with a schedule. Girls do good with a schedule. I do good with a schedule. 

STEM - jelly bean / M&M Prediction sorting, counting, graphing. And then eating 😀

Gym - trampoline and walk to barn. I did it 3 times - most yet. 

Movie - Lion King 2 and Lady and the Tramp 2

Home Ec - making tacos for dinner - they did almost everything and loved them. Normally they won’t even try them and go for quesadillas. 

Greta 

Raz kids - 2

Coding 

Reading - 8 books

Lola

Writing - g and h

Dotter book with rhyming words 

Things I’m thankful for during the quarantine

1. Slower pace

2. No where to rush to in the morning 

3. That it’s not winter and we are stuck totally inside 

4. Sunshine 

5. Kids that play well together - about 90% of the time 

6. Family walks 

7. New schedules combined with old schedules 

8. Playing games 

9. Cuddles with Nora 

10. Realizing times are hard but I’m grateful to have this time with all 3 of my girls. Maternity leave is totally different than I imagine but so far no complaints. 

Day 3 homeschool

Greta

Reading - 5 books 

Writing - character breakdown. Word search 

Math

Kindness - Greta made word searches and a note for 2 friends. We are mailing them tomorrow.

Lola 

Reading - 5 books 

Writing - letter F, dotter book

Coloring - chameleon picture 

Exercise - dance party on porch, walk to barn, Simon says

STEM - LEGO creativity and M&M water experiment 

Chores - wiping down cabinets, cleaning windows 

Home Ec - making pizza 

Free time - descendants movie 

Greta’s favorite - homework

Lola’s favorite - M&M experiment