What we've been up to: 5 weeks of isolation

It somehow feels necessary to document something about these strange times we are living in during the global COVID-19 pandemic - but exactly what I'm not sure. To think too deeply about what is happening in the world is too terrible and beyond what my brain can comprehend, yet to ignore it altogether doesn't feel right either.

So at the very least, I thought I'd put up some photos of what we've been up to in our 5 weeks of isolation so far after what ended up turning into a rant last week when I was going to do a blogpost of our time in isolation. This won't turn into a rant but just to explain the enormity of what is happening, in just over a week that has passed since I wrote that post on 4th April, the number of confirmed cases in the UK has more than doubled from 41,903 to 84,279. Tragically (but not surprisingly given the late implementation of social distancing in the UK) the number of lives lost to this disease has also more than doubled in the past week in the UK from 4,313 to 10,612. Shocking and incredibly tragic. Those numbers are people, including those who have put themselves out there to help others - our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and other key workers. 

We have been fortunate enough to be able to stay home knowing that it is important to do so. Miss T has been enjoying all sorts of hands on activities like science using a couple of her science experiments she had leftover from when she received The Curiosity Box around this time last year. You can see her original unboxings here and here. 

We celebrated D's 14th birthday in March. The first of the "isolation birthdays" in our family. With Miss T's 8th birthday being our second isolation birthday which was yesterday.

Emotions have been all over the place for each of us at some point or other over the past few weeks. We've had plenty of tears as well as trying to make the most of this unique chance of family time together.

Early on in March we were able to get out into the countryside near us so that daddy, J and D could keep up their running. But as the weeks went on, it became busier and busier and therefore riskier and riskier. So on the weekend of 21/22nd March we decided to stop going out at all just before the government announcement on 23rd March to #StayHome.

From that point on our only "outdoors" has been our garden for which I am feeling truly grateful for. Although it is small and so impossible for J to keep up his proper running, he occassionally does 20 mins of jogging in the garden. I do little "walks" back and forth in an attempt to keep my hip strong. 

Miss T has enjoyed playing in her sandpit, bubble play, ribbons and boules in the garden. 

More emotions...

The mouse family have enjoyed a lot of attention with new "clothes" being made for them at every opportunity.

Hot chocolates have become a rationed treat (as milk has been hard to get hold of) but one that helps get the kids through the week.

Indoor activities have included plenty of painting, arts and crafts....

Including this fantastic papier mache volcano...

My sourdough has been improving given the restrictions on buying bread...

And impromptu science experiments invented as we go along have become a great way to learn...

Every object is put to good use in some way or another...even the pencil shavings didn't go to waste - they were made into pencil shaving art first.

Visits from granny and grandad had to be conducted through glass whilst chatting on the telephone at the same time...but ended up feeling more heartbreaking and emotional than a standard zoom call as it felt they were so close and yet so far.

As Easter approached, our crafts took on an Easter theme...

And we found that even a pub quiz can be done via zoom!

The volcano has been partially painted.

And I have had my first ever attempt at quilling (harder than it looks!).

J managed to get a new high score on Crossy Road - making him the new world record holder! Wow!

We also found that the outdoors can be great for a spot of schoolwork too.

So whilst it has been a time of mixed emotions, we look for the positives and are trying to make the most of this seeing it as an opportunity. We hope that our kids will respect us for the decisions we've made throughout this time and understand that each choice we've made has been with their best interests at heart.

It has felt lonely at times. Despite having everyone at home, with Richard working so hard on the COVID-19 study, which I know is so so important but it has felt almost like he's not here at times.

The house feels constantly messy as we keep piles of school work and activities to hand for the children to do.

We are incredibly grateful for the wonders of modern technology that has enabled us to be in contact with friends and even speak to friends we've not heard from for many years. D and Miss T have even been able to have their guitar lessons via zoom.

I don't enjoy the stress caused by grocery shopping. We've been reliant on online groceries all along (and even before the COVID situation because of my back problems etc) and whilst we've been lucky enough to get a weekly slot until now, we have no future slots booked.

One of the things that has surprised me is that the days are flying by fast. Even with so much "on hold", I still feel incredibly busy. I feel like I spend a huge part of the day washing up! Our day and night has shifted somewhat with late bedtimes all round. We just take each day at a time. It's strange when the kids look to us for answers like "When will schools open?" "How much longer do we need to stay home for?" And we just have to explain that we've never been through a situation like this before (and hope that it never happens again) and so we just don't know the answers at the moment.

I'd even downloaded a new e-book to read but rarely find time for it. I suppose I am glad though that it feels like this rather than feeling like the days are going too slow.

So that's our first 5 weeks. I wonder how many more weeks there will be. Only time will tell.