A COVID Summer

"Mom, I stopped sucking my thumb right in time for coronavirus" "Is coronavirus still in the world?" "You're right mom, dad caught the 'COV" These are just a few of the statements made by the kids during the summer of quarantine. We had to cancel numerous vacations, plans, plays and concerts. We had to cook most every night. All being locked in at home started March 13th - with school's closing early for Spring Break...unknown when and if they would return. And me coming down with a fever. Kids out of school, both working remote and here we are coming into September 1st and still in pretty much the same boat. But the time is wrapping up as the kids get back into school. We made it through with a 7-year old in charge, a lot of screen time and just a few shouts and tears. We also moved and added another rental property. The move over Memorial Day weekend gave us something to focus on and be excited about and then gave us a natural change of scenery - a great park to scooter and bike around. Ultimately, as hardas this time is - we are very fortunate. I no longer had to commute 2 hours a day, instead able to experience the kids and their growth which seems to have been exponential in the last six months. We still have jobs and we have a renowned focus on exercise as our outlet and with the time available. I enjoy the morning cuddles as Del walks sleepily down the stairs and crawls into my lap while I'm in the midst of a meeting. Watching the kids find hours of enterainment playing school, house or doing art projects. And having time for dinners and walks in the evenings. Milestones during Quarantine: - Audrey stopped sucking her thumb - Del rides a bike - Dishwasher runs daily - Del can write his name and count to 20

Snow Days - 2020

'School' Ends 2020

We kind of missed the last day of school - all tired of the remote learning that was a constant fight to get through and a move pending but I did get to capture a picture! It was great year for them both - with lots of growth both physically and mentally. Here's to a quarantine summer!

7 Years Old

Audrey Ann is 7 Years Old! 

It's hard to have a birthday during a national pandemic quarantine - but as she often does, this 7-year old showed her understanding and maturity and still had a great day of celebration. (It happened to be Easter this year)

We had to cancel her and Del's joint Space themed birthday party - so we continued with the theme at home. It included lots of zoom calls with family to help make the day special.
A little about Audrey at 7 -

she loves to read and has really shown improvement over her 1st grade year.
She also loves music and art. She does not so much love writing and math. Feedback from her teacher is she has difficulty focusing on writing and often has to be removed from all distractions (i.e. friends).
She is still a performer and kind and inquisitive.
She is inclusive but is also starting to want independence and alone time.
She definitely still has a sassy side and needs some stimulation to keep from wanting to try to get in some trouble.
She is a lover of sweets - we had crepes for her birthday dinner.
She loves to bike, scooter, hover board and play with her brother.
She is a wonderful friend, sister and daughter.

What is your name? Audrey
How old are you? Seven
What is your favorite thing to do? Ride on my hover board and also, go on walks with my Heelys.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I would like to be a rock star and an astronaut.
What is your favorite food? What we're having for dinner - Crepes
What is your favorite color? Blue
Who do you like to spend time with? My hover board. Mommy.
What do you do really well? Ride on my hover board. Swim. And finding things. And riding on my heelys. And eat my hair.
What makes you laugh? Del - because he's really funny and he says poopy and peepee.
What is the best time of day? Afternoon because we get to go on walks and stuff
What is your favorite song? Wildest Dreams (Taylor Swift) Dynamite, A Million Dreams, Party in the USA and Can't Stop the Feeling
What are you afraid of? I'm afraid of the dark.
Who is your best friend? Annika, Alba, Nicole, Odin, Aria, Chloe and Adah and Lucy, Caroline and Nathan, Axel and Ellery
What do you like to do with your family? Go to the fair…(don't recall going to a fair…)
What do you love to learn about? Reading - I like to read chapter books and all different kinds of books
Where do you like to go? I like to go The Bay
What is your favorite book? Jack Sparrow The Siron something
What is your favorite TV show? Rescue Riders
What do you take to bed with you at night? Squishmallow
What makes you happy? Being with my friends
What makes you sad? When you don't buy me stuff at the store. Just Kidding. When I don't see my friends.
What is one thing you love about mommy? You say kind stuff.
What is one thing you love about daddy? Gives me melatonin
What is one thing you love about Del? He's funny
If you had one wish, what would it be? Be able to fly.
Anything else you want to tell me? Um that I'm smart and silly. I love to read. I hate writing. I love ice cream. And I do my homework very very well (not…homeschool…COVID)

4 Years Old

Delbert Edward Fredlund is four years old! 

He couldn't be more excited and we couldn't love him more. 

We went to spaghetti factory for his birthday dinner which was all he could talk about - then he ate zero. Turns out he came down with a fever the next day, so probably wasn't quite feeling his best.
But they did love the balloon animals that came around.

A little bit about this boy who keeps us on our toes with some of his favorite quotes.
He calls his dad (in an endearing way of course) 'Knucklehead' or 'Uncle' or 'Punchy'
As in 'Knucklhead, can you please get me a glass of milk?' or 'I need a punchy!' as he runs over and begins punching his leg
He still has a thing for rubby rubbies - and has now 'acquired' three of my scarves he rotates and sleeps with. And he still loves a good snuggle.
'What do you think I am?!' is a phrase often stated when we ask what he's up to.
Bedtime is still a struggle, although lately he's been sneaking up into Audrey's bed so although it's delaying sleep it's not fighting with us - we'll take it as a win.
'Nope. Not Doing it' - if you ask him to pick up anything.
'I'm very good' - when asked how he's doing
'You Betcha!'

Although Audrey is very curious about things like kids getting really sick or news that is happening now, Del will cover his ears and state 'I don't want to talk about that anymore. I don't want to dream about it!'

He's a big fan of super heroes, transformers, Paw Patrol and PJ Mask.
He doesn't forget things easily - he still talks about the terrible medicine we forced him to take for his sinus infection over the Christmas break.
He is getting some good friends at school who he loves to talk about and play with.
He loves to dance and sing and ultimately is great playing with his sister but also knows how to push all of our buttons. As a good son/brother should! :)

4 Year Old Quiz:

What is your name? _Delbert Edward Poopy…no Delbert Edward Fredlund_

How old are you? ___4____

What is your favorite thing to do? Run around in spider man shoes. I didn’t mean that. I mean play with all my birthday stuff. And stay with mommy.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Kid

What is your favorite food? basghetti (Spaghetti…we were at the Spaghetti Factory and he ate zero spaghetti)___Cereal is the real answer

What is your favorite color?  Blue

Who do you like to spend time with? um, momma. I love you.

What do you do really well? ___Feed the dog

What makes you laugh? Toots

What is the best time of day? Being with Mommy

What is your favorite song? Never get in Boulder (Closer) and The Greatest Show

What are you afraid of? Nightmares. Bears, wolves, everything. Oh, Pinnochio.

Who is your best friend? Bentley and Lincoln

What do you like to do with your family? Just stay with mommy.

What do you love to learn about? Science and writing

Where do you like to go?  To the zoo

What is your favorite book? The Grinch is coming to town

What is your favorite TV show? PJ Mask

What do you take to bed with you at night? rubby shirts

What makes you happy? Seeing baby lions

What makes you sad? No Momma

What is one thing you love about mommy? Rubby. She puts on ruby shirts

What is one thing you love about daddy? I love to hug him

What is one thing you love about Audrey? I hug her too. She shares her playto

If you had one wish, what would it be? A baby lion

Anything else you want to tell me? No

Fall 2019

Yaya gave us a quick escape back to Devil's Thumb Ranch.

Grandma visits for Halloween

and Soccer Season...Audrey really picked it up, Del...well Del wouldn't leave our laps when the game started.

Had some other fun times, including a quick AZ excape and Friendsgiving.

Holidays 2019

Polar Express Adventure

A Santa Visit

Christmas at Home before heading to WA

And a long, relaxed trip back to WA