COVID-19 Week 2

Here we are again! Same place doing the same things. Learning through experiences...Picking up where we left off. I will only show the end product of the the human Bear's room b/c I was a little unnecessarily outraged last week by the mess. Instead, I should have been focused on the fact that we have time to get it together and that everyone is healthy:)

These are the happenings from Week 2 and all the different "classes" we did! Recurring themes: there's always more time for nutrition, art, enjoying your family and exercise.

Respecting Your Space Class: This room was a disaster about 45 minutes before this. It's amazing what kids can collect and pile in their rooms when you aren't consistently checking and allowing them to "maintain" it on their own. They need help and clear instructions!

Generosity and Thoughtfulness Class: I collect the Albertson's Monopoly game pieces and the human Bear LOVES to help with the game board pieces. While cleaning her room, I found this stash of coupons. We talk about all the things we do and don't eat and why we should just throw these coupons out but she was apparently hoarding them in her room and making stacks for people with what they enjoy. She knows they buy it so why not save them money.haha Get ready for some deliveries after this is over!

Gardening and Growing Class: We didn't have to do anything but move in here and look at all the awesomeness coming! Blueberries are on their way!!!

Motivation Class: I didn't want to run and was fussing about it. The human Bear plops down next to me, points in my face and says, "I'm a sassy unicorn and you've come to the right place: Motivation Station. GET THAT RUN DONE! YOU CAN DO IT!"

Out of boredom and an OCD spirit, I created a spreadsheet to keep up with my goal of averaging a mile a day of running for the year. I figured there's no better time than now to teach the human Bear how to create a spreadsheet and how to automatically calculate column totals. Modeling as the teacher:

Have them put it into practice:

Technology Class: Practice creating your own spreadsheet! Our new house has some awesome stuff growing in the backyard so we are organizing which plants/bushes need what kind of maintenance and how to harvest the berries and fruit.

P.E. - Taking the bikes, jump ropes and water to the park (before they were closed and we DID stay 6 feet away from all people).

Social Media Class: Learning how to follow podcasts that add value to our lives. Our favorites right now: Rebel Girls and Big Life Journal. Now, she wants to start her own blog so keep an eye out for that later. This is the perfect thing for her...endless talking!

Math Class: I'm always fascinated by the people that cook without measurements or timing...I am NOT one of them. You say 2.5 pounds of potatoes and you'll get 2.5 pounds of potatoes!

Nutrition Class: We talked about how to divide up your plate and fill it with healthy choices. I used dried spaghetti to create the lines on the plate and then she filled half with fruits/veggies, 1/4 with grains, and 1/4 with beans for her fiber! We do well with visuals.

Partying While Social Distancing: It's still important to have fun and we were SO excited that Dax turned 2!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAX! Thanks for our first Zoom birthday party:) We love you!

Art Class: The human Bear made this for Dax for his birthday. He likes trains, trucks and planes. I thought this was so impressive. The base is a door stopper. She's teaching me about creativity and art!

Confidence Class: Be proud of what you create even when no one fixes your hair for weeks. Gotta rock it out either way!

Teamwork Class: It is nice to have Jason home and when he can sneak out of his office he jumps right in to help with dishes and laundry! Oh the joys of adulting:)

Speech and Vocabulary Class: The game Taboo is great for this! To have to think before you speak and think about word choice is hilarious and fun! Watching a younger person play an outdated game is also HYSTERICAL. Two things that got me: the human Bear was giving clues and 1) She said "he just died" and it was Kobe Bryant:( 2) She got me to guess "trending" by saying when something is "current and really popular on FB" and to get me to say "media" she listed all the social media...these were not things when I used to play this game way back!

Strategic Thinking: I kept overhearing Jason saying, "Oh I didn't even see that move!" I'm thinking she's starting to take over already.

Community: They did say it was OK to check on people...so, staying 6 feet apart and keeping the sanity is important. These are the ONLY people we see.

Idea Sharing: At an appropriate distance, the human Bear showing how to make a paper airplane. They put the chairs like this themselves. haha Good listeners.

Chemistry Class: Balancing the pH and chlorine in the pool!

I'll just be over here relaxing!

Learning that you can only tip so far back before flipping. Balance is a critical skill that needs work!

Joy Class: Finding happiness where you can. This is hardest for Jason b/c he never usually stops long enough to enjoy home...the universe says, figure it out!

Quiet Time: I'm the only one that really enjoys puzzles. The others have no patience with it so I get some quiet alone time when I work on this one and it's HARD! This will take me longer than the quarantine.

Always More Art Class: Taking it outside for inspiration.

Gratitude Class: We don't always have to be doing the same things but it's nice to be around the people you love. I got to enjoy the sun going down while Jason got a workout and the Bear got to swim. We are lucky people during this.

Sassy Class: I'm not even sure what was happening here but a trucker hat with a dabbing pug makes you do things.

Working Class: "Hello, this Jason Wesley..." she has it down!

Avoidance Class: I need to figure out how to keep up with this yard so I'll float on this raft while I think about it!

Get those jumps in! GEAUX, GEAUX, GEAUX

All these bear hunt posts going around social media made me realize we TOTALLY left out our alter egos that always love a good adventure. We had to bring down Beast Mode, Lovella, and JWes

She can use the big mixer and make breakfast "cookies" from scratch. The oven is the only place where I help and it's only b/c she can't hold the pan with one hand and open the oven with the other but we always need something to work towards right?!

Being a Good Snoop Class: I feel like someone is watching my every move!

Respecting Nature Class: Slowly making friends with this guy and slinging him back into the bushes. We like sharing but are too scared to get on a noodle with a spider.

Breakfast Treats Class: Learned how to make some plant based vanilla pancakes and they were delicious!

Reading Class: Me not the Bear. For some reason, I have trouble reading the old school way and audiobooks are easier to focus on...the Bear has her own libby app and checks out books too:)

And finally, the moment you've all been waiting for...I was able to get the speed clocker up 1 mph from last week! Whoohoo! Next week I'll shoot for 13.

Cauliflower Buffalo Bites...just because

We have no idea what to look forward to for next week but I'm sure it will be equally as enthralling. We hope everyone is staying safe and well and staying at your dang house. I watched one of JBE's most recent press conferences and it seems like he now knows what it is like to teach middle school. He seemed like he wanted to cuss while fussing at the majority of people that aren't listening as he repeats the same thing daily. STAY AT HOME PEOPLE! If you are well, be thankful and don't risk passing it around please and thank you!