Stories from Lockdown

You guys, I'm worried. It is Day 22 of life on the inside. No one has stabbed anyone else in their sleep and we do still like each other (I married really well!!). We are settling in and actually having fun. But ... will we know how to interact with other non-V people when we're released?!?! I mean, we are looking forward to trying. But be kind if our social awkwardness hits new levels of special.

Last week, Mike held a special Shop Class workshop in the backyard and the garden that we promised Quinn a couple years ago has been completed. We didn't build it last year because we were deep in the house search. But now that we know we're staying - and Mike has plenty of time - the garden was top of the list. We had a few days of great weather where the kids could play outside and Mike could work. It went together more quickly than he expected and Q and Dec even helped put the baseboards in.

During the garden project, Mike also found time to build a monkey bars off the climber in the backyard. He's had the actual monkey bars for a while, but didn't have the time or lumber to construct the frame. We had been using the monkey bars as a ladder to the tall part of the climber. So the only obvious solution once the ladder was gone was to install a fire pole. When Mike first mentioned getting a fire pole, Quinn stopped dead in her tracks, gave him her most serious face, and said "Don't lie to me." To say she was excited when it arrived is an understatement.

On Saturday, we were out in the yard playing and a little boy walked by with his dad. He asked his dad if our yard was a park. His dad said "no." The little boy did not seem convinced. **Now, more than ever, we stand by our choice of not compromising on the yard when looking for a house!

It took three weeks - but the great Lego project has been completed. The Volkswagen camper was constructed in full. And now can be played with ... the whole time they were building it, Mike kept telling Dec not to play with it because "it's not a toy." Ha! The bin of Mike's old legos has also found its way to the lego table and creativity is at its prime. Today, a space rover was built. And a helicopter.

Mike broke out the N64 and the kids have been obsessed with watching him play Bond (notice all the legos in the background). I found a game map online to help (end the insanity) and Quinn has taken it upon herself to analyze the cheat maps and direct Mike while he plays. It's actually quite impressive. Fiona just likes it when someone falls down the stairs. Dec can't wait to learn to play himself.

He did learn to play a snowboarding game. Mike had run to the grocery store, so Fiona was his tech support. We are all learning new skill sets these days.

I hate Peeps. I think they are gross. So I never think to buy them. When Mike was doing the grocery shopping, he bought a couple packages so the kids to try them. They are fans. They even came down to visit me "in my office" for the inaugural taste test.

I still think they are gross.

A favorite place to read or do art is on the bed in the guest room. Why? Because it is right next to me while I work. As long as I'm not on a really important call and they are quiet, they know they are welcome to hang out. It's ideal for when someone needs a quiet time break from the whole gang. Quinn prefers to color, while Fiona likes to bring her latest book down. I sure enjoy their company!

There has been a lot of rollerblading and street (driveway) hockey on nice days/evenings. The two hockey players are getting really good on their blades and Fiona is making big improvements (and having fun). Mike has set up several practice drills for them (and I think he enjoys it just as much as they do). Tonight, Dec's face took the brunt of a weird ball bounce. He was fine, but I'll be interested to see if we have a bruise tomorrow. It did not, however, stop him from playing!