and it goes on and on my friends. . .

Home school hasn't changed much these past two weeks. Kendal is still doing well - being self motivated most of the time. This last week was a make up week so she had even less on her plate to do. She spent extra time making power point presentations, learning typing skills, and coding on Khan Academy. She also got to do some video calls with her friends a couple of days. She's missing school and friends something fierce, but she's being a trooper about it all. Peter is still hard to motivate and get going. When he's on a roll he can get most of his school done before lunch. That's not the typical way though so it's longer days with just the basics focused on because anything more is just to much.

It's a blessing the days are getting warmer and better. We've sent the kids outside almost everyday, gone for walks, bike rides, and Saturday adventures. It's a nice break away from the house.
Last weekend we ventured out past Gooding and explored a couple of caves. We found Dead Horse Cave, and Teakettle cave. The road was to rough for our car so we walked a few miles that day between caves. The first cave was dark yet cool. The second was just like its name. We entered in a small spout at one end and came to a bulbous chamber that had a hole above it. The kids really enjoyed this and had fun romping around.

Yesterday we went down to Auger Falls -just northwest of here. We took some bike paths off the main trail on our way to the falls. We explored a bit at the falls, (Finding shells, getting shoes soaked, learning geology, etc.) then we took the main path back to the car. Casey had to have Alice on his shoulders the whole way back thanks to wet shoes. (He's had her on his shoulders almost every week though - #1 Daddy.)

We took an art break one morning and learned to make paper birds for our fingers. The kids loved this and made countless over the following days. Alice even acted out her book (There's a bird on your head) with them.

We were naughty last week - when Casey had to pick up something from Brett we all went over to check out their yard makeover. The kids were in heaven playing for about an hour.

Frequent movies has continued. We've watched Fox and the Hound, Harry Potter 6 (after Kendal finished the book, we watched the show with potions and licorice wands : ), and Mulan in the past couple of weeks.
Peter and Casey did a project over a week and made Alice a doll bed that matched Kendal's.

I gave Alice her first hair cut last week. I took off about four inches in the back to even her hair to the length of the sides. Then trimmed it all around for a fresh look. She was excited to get her hair cut; however when I was done she felt her hair and said her Elsa hair was gone. (She hasn't minded since though so we're good.)

We've definitely baked regularly during this quarantine. I even had a cake decorating contest with my YW class this past week. My cakes theme was Mother's Day. Let's just say it was made with helping hands, added stress, and messes all around - so basically a true mother's day treat.

Casey has made a pet sourdough during this quarantine. He started it, fed it, and nurtured it and we've reaped the benefits since, multiple sourdough breads, pancakes, and waffles with more to come I'm sure. They've been very delicious and we've all enjoyed them a lot!

From my last quarantine / pandemic post this is a bit of an update:
As of now we have 2061 cases of Covid 19 in Idaho with 64 deaths. The US has 1.1 Million cases.
School is cancelled for the rest of the school year. Along with sports and anything to do with school. The kids' swim lessons were cancelled again - who knows if they'll get them at all this summer.
Businesses have been closed, but there are some opening in May (this weekend) with more to follow in the coming weeks /months if numbers stay steady / go down.
Our Stay home order is still in effect. Again thanks to warm weather we've been able to get out and enjoy some fresh air more.
Stores are slowly getting back to normal. But there are a few things low or out. We are now asked to wear masks as we go out.
Church and all church related meetings are still cancelled. Missionaries have come home and are going back out. New Missionaries are doing the MTC from home.
Our church held a worldwide fast on Good Friday (April 10th).
Oil fell in the negative territory with interest rates falling regularly. The stock market has had it's biggest hit in decades - who knows what effects this will have on our economy in the coming months / years.
Nationwide debate over continuing to isolate (to help our health and safety) vs opening back up (to help the economy, and people who need work / $)
This spring sure has been different and our summer will probably be very different. We'll continue to do what we can, endure, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.
We do have some comic relief through all of this. Alice! She may be prone to three year old attitude and tired tantrums on occasion, but mostly she makes us smile and laugh. Heaven knows we need this little spitfire and her silly ways in our lives right now.