Creative Coronavirus Spring Break - Week 1

The world and the United States has been consumed by a rapidly spreading virus unlike anything we've ever seen before. I don't know if my children will remember this season, but it will certainly be ingrained into my memory. While the children were already scheduled to be on break from school, we had to cancel a trip to Florida due to risky travel and limit ourselves mostly to house activities, free from public spaces or people. Knowing that school and public functions will be cancelled for the foreseeable future, we had to get creative and fast and kept the kids mostly entertained and calm.

Mommy still had part-time work responsibilities (thankfully remote); Daddy was already scheduled to be off work for the week. (thankfully!!!) We did lots of games and crafts, very grateful to recent Chanukah and birthday presents. We had virtual dance parties, streamed live services, and read bedtime stories on video conference. And Supermom pulled out lots of other new and different ideas to change things up.

Fun with shaving cream:

It started pretty manageable and calm with baking trays and bathing suits.

I lost control very quickly.

Getting them to the bathroom to rinse off took some creativity.

Team Gilden gifted Gabi a slime kit for her birthday 2 months earlier, and it turned out quarantine time was the perfect time to bring it out. Teacher Mommy even snuck in some science content too!

turning Spring Break into science class

We were able to play outside a lot:

Gabi had been resisting using her bike pedals even though we know she can. It turns out that if you have lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of extra time, she'll do it eventually.

Daddy took Ethan to bike ride on a mostly deserted trail:




With time to spend and kids to put to work, the kids placed flags in the sprinklers before the yard was aerated.

These cutie matching brothers enjoyed water time.

Even though we were physically distant from most people, we could still socialize and entertain others in creative ways.

The natives entertained themselves often too:


Lego bath!

We took advantage of virtual art lessons with author Mo Willems:

Camp Cohen was set up by removing the van from the garage and setting up a tent filled with sleeping bags, books, flashlights, playing cards, and childish imagination.



Inside the tent, we realized we wanted to look up at the night stars...and then realized we were in a garage. So, we solved that problem by drawing our own night skies to gaze at.


Of course, if you're going camping - pretend or not - you need s'mores!


Back in the house for Doodle Dinner!




While we started the week with lovely weather, we were gifted with some cold, rainy weather. That didn't stop us from creative outdoor art.

TA-DA!

We also made creative use of our indoor space.


And while social distancing kept us physically apart from just about everyone, we snuck in some visits with hopefully virus-free cousins. Throughout the week, we danced, baked muffins, and played. We also enjoyed a nice nature hike together, exploring St. Edward's Park.


And this was only the first week! PHEW. We still have a crazy unknown amount of weeks left to go. For now, we've survived, we're surviving still, and better yet, we're still smiling.