The Dandelions vs The Champions

We played Guesstures, a charades game, as a family one evening.  It was The Dandelions (Bryn, Tanner and I) vs The Champions (Parker, Aubrey and Bri.)  Sadly, we got creamed by The Champions.  Here are Park and Aub in action:

It was intense!

Right before we had scriptures, I accidentally passed gas and said "excuse me."  The boys didn't know for sure what to think.  They were horrified and and cracking up and in shock.   Tanner insisted on getting a video of me saying it was natural.  The girls were saying, "Of course it is natural!"  The boys were like, "We have NEVER heard Mom do it though."  Whatever....Crazy kids.

Tan getting his video of me saying it was natural.  He wants to use it against me the next time I call him out for rudely farting on purpose.  Won't work my boy.

After our Come Follow Me study that evening, the boys moved on to Xbox and Disney+ while Dad and the girls played a few rounds of an Instagram game.  (I guess it's an Instagram game.  I question is asked  and you have to tilt your head either your direction or the other person's direction depending on your answer.  Example of questions: Who spends more money?  Who is more athletic?)     

This evening was fun, funny, relaxing, enjoyable....just an ideal family night together.

Family Home Evening

March 30, 2020

We actually missed Family Home Evening (FHE) last week.  We never miss FHE.  Brian was working 12 hour days at his new job (TruGreen) and coming home beat.  Everyday we had lots and lots and lots of family time: ping pong, basketball, card games, movies, bike rides, picnics, walks and more.  Honestly, we just didn't even realize we never had our official family night.

This week we were on it though!  Parker was on lesson.  He asked Brian to pick a number between 1-20, Tanner to share his favorite month and Brinley to pick a number between 1-60.  This is how he chose his lesson to share.  He opened his Gospel Library app and went to the year Brian chose and then chose a New Era magazine article according to the month and number Bryn and Tanner gave.

He took about 3 minutes to "prepare" and wa-lah....his FHE lesson was ready.  (If you are reading this and you don't have teens yet, my advise would be to remember to loosen up because they will test you.)  

He shared a story about a college aged young lady who had to stay home and help her mom and siblings can tomatoes one Friday night.  She wasn't thrilled, but she ended up finding lots of positive things about the evening.  Parker then briefly related it to our "shelter in place" and said we could find lots of good things from this as well.  

That worked for us.  We then downloaded photo roulette on our phones and played a few rounds together.

Tanner was on treat.  Around 3:00 pm I texted him to see if he wanted to make something.  He laughed loudly from the other room and yelled jokingly, "Who do you think I am?"  

He had no intention of making a treat and actually, I had no expectation of him making one.  I was just teasing.

However, later that day he watched a thirty second Tic Toc (video) showing a guy whipping up mini strawberry cheesecakes.  Tanner started searching for a recipe and ingredients and then diligently worked on making a yummy treat.  

He was loudly running commentary from the kitchen about each step he was taking and how tedious the process was and wondering if he would have enough icing for 12 strawberries and hollering to Brian asking him about his day.  It was humorous and somewhat entertaining.  He was also a little surprised it took so much longer than 30 seconds.  (It took him about 45 minutes probably.)

He put them in the fridge to chill and would not let anyone touch them until he deemed them ready.  The girls were ready for our FHE treat.  Tanner would not give the go ahead...he loved teasing the girls and having the power.  He finally deemed them ready and brought them out of the fridge.

I appreciate how he added the splash of chocolate sauce in the middle of the plate.  He's had fine dining on Disney Cruises...he knows about the importance of presentation.  (Cruise dining is about the only fine dining we have ever had around here.)

Yea for FHE.

Our Third Social Distancing Sunday

Week three of home church was pretty good.  I definitely miss mingling with the members of Odessa 4th ward each week at church.  I miss singing the hymns with the congregation, and I especially miss Relief Society.  I love being with other women who are doing their best to put God first in their lives everyday.

President Nelson encouraged everyone to fast and our whole family did a great job of fasting two meals.  I think this is one of the only times I remember everyone joining in/remembering/fasting two full meals and so few complaints.  It felt nice to be united in a good cause.

We did another Zoom meeting with my parents and two friends from church: Carrie Snell and Thomas Smith.  We brought out the computer on our end this time, but I didn't like it as much.  Maybe those on the Zoom felt more connected, I'm not sure, but I felt more disconnected from my family.  We were speaking into the computer rather than to the family in the room.  I want to go back to using a phone and a tripod next week.  

We also did a little fast and testimony meeting.  Aubrey bore her testimony and that made me happy.  She shared a scripture from her personal reading that has brought peace to her heart during the pandemic.  

Shortly after Sacrament meeting ended, Park suggested we play a game of spoons.  How is that for the 2nd hour of church?!  Kidding...we do Come Follow Me throughout the week each evening so this wasn't really our 2nd hour.  It was just a Sunday activity.

Tanner was on make dinner.  He helped me make a cream cheese chicken crock pot recipe.  He was sure the sauteing and sauce mixture was taking way too long so he pulled up a chair.  Parker visited occasionally.

 Later the boys played a game of sting pong.  Ouch.

The girls kept busy by making a strawberry cake with homemade cream cheese frosting.  We were bringing the missionaries dinner, so I was grateful to have some dessert to share as well.

I had a presidency meeting over Zoom, and Brian was able to visit with some of his family.

I think one of our challenge in coming weeks will be more and more how to make the Sabbath day a delight when everyday kind of feels like Sunday now.

Kickball, Kind Neighbors and More

Everyday pretty much feels the same.  

I've eaten 11 times today and taken 3 naps today...

and it's still today.

Saturday was a little different though.  Brian was home which was nice.  He has been working 12 hour days at his new job at True Green.  He comes home pretty beat.  I am so grateful he has a job with our terrible economy.  (Oil began crashing just before the pandemic hit.)  I am also grateful he is willing to work a hard, not very fun job to provide for us.  

We also actually interacted with a few other people outside of our immediate family.  We really didn't do that during the week.  Probably the funnest part of my day was kickball with the Vore cousins.  Erin Meisje texted on Friday night to see if we wanted to join.  

I was conflicted.  Of course, I wanted our group to join but I was also worried about social distancing.  I asked if it would just be their family, and it was.  We had ten people...until Charity came  toward the end and then we had eleven.  I felt good that we were following the keep it to ten people or fewer guidelines.  Plus we were spread out over a large baseball diamond.

Kickball was awesome, but mostly, it was just so fun being with people.  Plus these are some of our very favorite people in the whole world!  

Charity w/ Jake, Erin Meisje, Kate, Brinley, Lauron, Aub and Joseph (Parker and Tanner had just left when we took this picture before getting into our separate cars.  Ang and I were not in the picture and the dads, Bri and Chris, did not come on this outing.)

Kate and Joseph's wedding is kind of messed up now.  They were going to be sealed in May in the Ogden temple.  The temples are temporarily closed, and they will probably be married civilly once they find housing in Provo.  When things die down, they will be sealed and have their receptions.

 Bryn and Morgan hung out together for a few hours.

Our amazing neighbors across the street brought over some delicious stew.  I made two loaves of french bread and sent one back with them.  It was a feast.  Thanks Larry and Linda! 

 After kickball Aub hung out at Lauron's for awhile and then they came here. 

The girls spent at least 1.5 hours applying fake nails and dipping them to add the polish.  

I about died when I peaked in on them and they were set up on the carpet: nail glue, colored nail powder, acetone etc... spread across the carpet. 

I felt like I handled it pretty calmly when I told Aubrey she needed to please use her bathroom counter top in the future.  She was annoyed and still insists I am being ridiculous for that expectation.  Ugh.  I guess it's true when they say teens frontal cortex isn't fully developed until they are twenty five years old.

After kickball, the boys were home doing their chores, playing basketball (Tanner), and reading for extra screen time (Parker) most of the day.  That evening they both ended up at the Terry's playing games and hanging out for a few hours.

Brian and I went on a little evening car date.  We drove out to Britney and Adam's to look at their new shop which is being built.  

All in all, it was a nice Saturday. 

Swimming in March

We had some pretty hot weather last week.  It was in the high 80s or low 90s for about five days straight.  To mix things up from mostly just hanging out inside our home, we decided to try swimming at Gram and Gramp's pool. (Bryn didn't join.  She was working on school.)

It was FREEZING.

Parker and Tanner made a bet.  If Tanner could make the long shot into the hoop from the diving board 2 out of 5 times, then Parker would have to jump in the frigid pool.  If Tan missed, then he would have to jump in.

He missed and took off running for the back gate.  I think he was planning on just running home, but Parker took off after him.  Tanner was corralled back to the poolside and thrown in.  He came up gasping while his body adjusted to the cold water.

I slowly waded in up to my waist and eventually got used to it.  Parker was the pro.  Once he decided to walk in, he just calmly walked down the steps and right into the deeper part of the water.  We were all impressed.  He said it's from all of the ice baths he has to takes during football.  He just tapped the side of his forehead and said, "mind over matter."

 He also did a couple of Gainers off the diving board.

 This one was a little low but still pretty cool.

Just about the time Aub and I were adjusted and happy, the boys were ready to leave.  

It was nice to be outside for a little while and have a change of scenery.  

Homeschooling Day #3

Homeschooling in the Gwilliam household changed abruptly by day three.  The boys discovered they were able to go back to sleep after seminary and were thrilled.  Instead of the work being mostly completed by noon they weren't out of bed by noon.

We have all day anyway, so for now, if that makes them happy, it works for me.

I borrowed a computer from my parents.  Our Ipad is loosing charge quickly and someone always needed my phone.  That left me without a device for hours everyday.  I'm not picky but I do enjoy listening to conference talks or Audible books while I do my chores around the house.  It's also nice to be able to blog or work on our 2019 family album.

That fourth computer has saved us.  And I feel totally guilty even typing that....we are spoiled.  We have our family laptop, and Bryn has her laptop from graduation.  We also have one hand me down laptop from my parents and then the one we are borrowing.

I heard this homeschooling thing that is happening all over the world called "crisis" schooling which I think is probably more accurate.  Luckily my children are older, capable and for now, willingly doing all of the work their teachers send their way.  There are lots of memes going around about kids having their own challenges because they are "homeschooling" now.  Their new teachers (aka as their parents) are not really up to par.  It's definitely true over here!

On day three, Aubrey asked me for help on a question.  I looked at it, gave her my best guess and then said, "Sorry, I haven't done math in forever."  To which she rolled her eyes and replied, "It's science Mom."  I then mentioned she might want to ask Brinley.  Problem solved!  (Bryn was always our go to before she left for college.)

Speaking of Bryn.  With her college classes starting back up, she has been scarce.   She is one dedicated student and spends 5-8 hours everyday on her course work.  BYU even gave the students the option of choosing pass/fail instead of a letter grade.  She can't do it though, and I can totally relate.  She can't do just the minimum.  Bryn is still giving it 100% and working on making As in all of her classes.

I guess we will see how this homeschooling/crisis learning evolves over the next few weeks.

Missing Gram and Gramp

Gram and Gramp live only eight houses away and we miss them.  We are staying away in hopes of keeping them more protected from contracting Covid-19.   It has been hard to not just stop by and say hello or grab a snack or share a snack or use the massage chair or do puzzle together.  I am usually over there at least once a day.   My boys miss seeing Grandpa each morning at seminary.  (Although they do not miss having to wake up early one little bit.)

I miss sitting in the long row all together at church each week.  It seems Parker often ends up by Gram who will massage his hands and scratch his back throughout the meeting.  We have to divide Grandpa from the boys because then it is like having three teenage boys in the row instead of two!  (He's trouble, that guy.)  The first week of home church they just joined us at our house but week two we decided we better go the online route.

I miss hanging out with them (and my siblings and their families) each Sunday night.

A couple of nights ago Bryn and I were on a walk and we stole Grandpa.  We just rang the bell and asked him to go on a little walk with us.  We didn't hug.  We stayed apart, but we walked and talked to the end of the block and back.  

It was the best!  

Gram has horrible allergies in the springtime so no outside walks for her.  We didn't want her to feel left out though so the next morning Aub and I decided we were going to marker a message on the back window. 

Gram spotted us through the front window and so we visited a little while there.  Then Aubrey snuck around back to start designing, and I kept visiting with Gram through the window/on the phone.  It was fun to be able to see each other face to face while visiting.

I snuck around to join Aub.  She was almost done, but we got caught!  See Gram and Gramp in the reflection?

We love and miss you Gram and Gramp!

Homeschooling Day #1

Homeschooling day one went well.  Aubrey was up at 8 and ready to start her assignments.  Parker and Tanner woke up for seminary at 8.  (A big shout out to their amazing seminary teacher, aka Grandpa, for getting Zoom figured out for the class.)  

I was surprised the boys didn't go back to sleep once it was over, but they opened Google classroom and started doing their homework.  Bryn even set an alarm and was up working on her college classes.  It was super impressive watching and listening to all four of them quietly work for a couple of hours straight.  

I have to admit that homeschooling was a welcome addition to our long days at home.

Social Distancing Teen Style Part II

By the end of the week, we were a little better at social distancing.  I have gone a couple of walks with Britney and run a couple of errands, and that is about as social as I have been outside of my immediate family.  The kids didn't do or ask to do as much with friends.

The girls practiced and perfected their sock hair routine.  Lots of super cute waives in the morning...but no where to go!

(Wavy hair example)

We've used our ping pong table more than ever.  This was our FHE activity last week.  I think we have honestly used it more in the past week than in the past 6 months combined.  (I have been trying not to have bad feelings towards that huge object that was never used that took over my front room.)

Bryn took advantage of the beautiful weather and studied her scriptures outside.  We also took lots and lots of walks this week too.  (Brinley and I; Brinley, Britney and I; Britney and I; Aubrey and I; Parker and I...so many walks.)

Some reading has taken place...mostly "forced"....I asked Aub and Tan to read 30 minutes, exercise 30 minutes and do something "good" 30 minutes everyday.  (The good could be things like: drivers ed, practicing the guitar, service etc.)  Oh the moaning and arguing and complaining I heard from Tan and Aub was ridiculous.  Once they realized it wasn't changing, they just went with it.  (Such a very, very small part of some very long days!)

We cooked some or our Hello Fresh meals together.  We ate a little fancier than we usually do, and I enjoyed trying new things.  Candied onions with your pork tacos anyone?

Lots of snuggling and I think we watched a movie almost every night.  Some of the movies: Contagion (it seemed appropriate), The Proposal, A League of Their Own, Patriot Games (We used Vid Angel filters with some of these which was appreciated.)  I am not a huge movie person but with things in slow motion, I watched quite a bit.

Lots of snuggling... 

Brinley was trying to take a picture, and I was trying to hide Parker's armpit hair.

Online school here we come....