Hello Virtual School! | Week 4

Hello! We are in week 4 of virtual school, and by we, I mean Miles and the kids. I, as of last Friday, have been laid off due to COVID-19, and am trying to figure out my place in the home and in this quarantine.

We are residing in San Diego County, CA, and are under a state-wide stay-at-home order and are recommended to wear facial masks until May 1, where it will turn into a mandated rule. Right now, essential workers are required to wear a facial mask, but we wear one as well.

The first few days that the kids and Miles had off (he's an elementary school music teacher), I was still working, and the kids were living like it was Spring Break. Then I was told, we would be closing our center due to the virus. So, for the next week and a half (or so), I was the kids' teacher. We spent the first day or two, working on a schedule that we could all work with. At this point, it was mid-March, and we were all still trying to figure out what staying-at-home meant.

We tried grocery shopping, but heard that everything in the grocery stores had been taken! There was no rice, no beans, no toilet paper, none of our day-to-day essentials were in stock. What had happened in the past few days? We couldn't believe it. It's like schools closed, and everyone went crazy and bought anything and everything as soon as kids got out of school!

No toilet paper to be found 

Once I got their schedule written down, it was time to put it into practice. Day 1 that I was at home, I had these kids up and ready to study. I tried to mimic their regular school schedules and had to make lunch for both at the same time, as well as P.E. Before school was over on Friday, March 13, Isaiah was given assignments to do via Google Classroom  like he had been doing since the beginning of the school year. Serenity, she did not have any assignment from her teacher and was not allowed to receive assignments from him for the time being. So, it was up to me to figure out what to assign these kids for school work.

The first draft of the kids' schedule

Just as the commercials say, our dining (really, kitchen) table, became a study area, office area, and learning center. I went searching for worksheets and workbooks that would be at the kids' level, and where they can learn off of, and then saw and landed on some Highlights! workbooks. I saw Target had them on sale, and I snagged them! I bought 2 workbooks, a 5th-grade workbook, and a 6th-grade workbook. It made teaching and learning a lot easier.

Both kids studying from their workbooks

We had somewhat of a strict schedule and the first week or so of "virtual" learning, it rained. Like A LOT! So we had to figure out what to do for PE. Luckily, Isaiah has a gardening class he is part of at school, and before this quarantine thing happened, he and Miles were gardening at home. So he would check on his plants, take a photo of them, and graph & document his findings for the day. Serenity, on the other hand, does not have a gardening club at her school, or at least in her grade level that she can be a part of, so we had to find something to help her exercise. Then, she remembered GoNoodle!

For those of you who are new to GoNoodle (I also learned what it was), it is a website that provides kids with movements and mindfulness videos for FREE! We did some yoga, some calming breathing exercises, and some dance videos.

The kids have been doing official virtual school since April 6, when their school district came out with their version of "Virtual School" and got some teachers from each grade level to put together some work for the students. At first sight, both Serenity and I were frightened as to how much work was being "assigned." Luckily, her teacher sent an email to the class and their parents to inform us they wouldn't be taking part in that. He was going to have them continue where the class left off on that last day.

Since April 6, the kids have had to adjust to learning virtually. Isaiah doesn't mind it and quite enjoys not having to go into school every day. Serenity has daily meetings and is on a schedule recommended by her teacher. She is so smart though, she does everything in such a short amount of time! Spelling tests are still happening, and sharing each other's company is still so special. Serenity's teacher had been sending us the homework and spelling lists from the first assignment of the school year, weekly.

Miles giving Serenity her spelling words. Isaiah watching a math video

So, I went through my email, and printed all the math and spelling worksheets in there, and had Serenity review as many as she could before her teacher took over. We emailed her teacher asking if there was anything else we can do, and he replied by saying that she's doing more work than most right now. We were so happy to know we were doing our part in helping her succeed.

Miles is making videos for the entire student body at the school, to help them continue to learn about music. He's even working on some choir performances. 

Watching how all three of them have taken this whirlwind of a hand during this uncertain time, and watching them knock it out of the park is amazing. Even though I am no longer able to work, and record videos for the kids at the preschool. I have been making videos of crafts, academics, and stories. I’m not sure if the kids from school are the ones watching, but I uploaded some to my personal YouTube channel. A few of us at school have also teamed together to create some videos for them on our school YouTube channel.

Since I started making these videos, I have gotten more comfortable recording myself, and being in front of a camera. I even got the (crazy) idea to start a vlog on the same channel. I’m still working on that idea, and all that it entails, but then realized I could asl o start a blog, and lo and behold, I came across all these blogs. I can’t believe that I had forgotten about all these blogs I had  previously written, and many were left unfinished. To see how many people had viewed them, even unfinished, was amazing to me! Thanks y’all!

CA —> Portland, OR | Winter 2018

Updated 4/29/20


We have been to Oregon many times. For the first time ever, we went to Oregon in the WINTER! We knew it was going to be cold, snowy, and rainy. We spent 4 weeks preparing for the trip —cleaning, deep cleaning, and more cleaning. We had a dog sitter come to take care of our Lily-Girl. I spent countless hours and days making sure no one made a mess of the apartment. I had the kids pack their own bags along with their winter items (Gloves, hats, jackets, boots, etc.).

Miles packed his bag, and I... well, I cleaned some more. My entire plan was to have everything clean and packed a few days before we actually left, but do our plans ever really go as planned? Not mine. I suppose I should tell you what time in winter this was. Okay. Our trip was scheduled for Christmas Day through January 2nd. Our Christmas holiday is crazy! We spend Christmas Eve with my family where everyone opens presents as close to midnight as we can. Since we have gained new family members over the years, we have been participating in Secret Santa and have a limit of $20.

We spend Christmas morning with Miles’ family and open gifts there as well. Christmas is spent with many blessings. We packed up the car Christmas morning, and to our surprise... RAIN! It was raining; pouring I should say. I should add that the kids open gifts at our place on Christmas morning as well. So, once we cleaned up Christmas at our place, packed, and then headed to my in-laws, and spent the morning there, and then it was time to go!

We made a quick stop at my parents' house to pick up items for my aunt, who lives in Oregon. And off we finally were. We left at 1 pm and were headed towards Redding, CA. We DRIVE up to Redding (yes, we . make the drive 🚗), because that’s roughly the halfway point from Oceanside to Portland, Oregon. Day 1 was interesting... we made way too many stops, and didn’t get to the hotel till almost midnight!! Miles was not happy with us. We stayed the night, got up and ready, grabbed a quick breakfast, and were off to Portland!

"Road tripping with FRIENDS"
Sacramento, CA

A few hours after driving, the temperature kept dropping! Before I knew it, we were in the high 30s low 40s and I begged Miles to let me get out and take a photo of the Oregon sign. I have taken a photo of the sign since our first drive up to Portland, and it’s kind of a tradition.

As soon as we crossed state borders.. it was SNOWING! It was beautiful and everything I told the kids it would be. The last time my little nuggets saw snow was back when they were toddlers, and we went up to Angels Camp, CA for a Thanksgiving week family trip.  After driving further up north into Oregon, we went through many hours of rain. In fact, the rest of the trip to the hotel was raining. Miles was in such a hurry to get to the hotel, we didn’t make it any better by asking to use the restroom or to inform him of our hunger. Once we got into Portland, it was a smooth ride! We checked in to our hotel, ate at an Elmer’s for the first time, and went back to the hotel. The next day, we explored downtown

Day 1: Downtown Portland-

We traveled on Day 1 with public transportation. Poor Serenity didn’t pack a thick enough jacket and was freezing her little arms off, so we stopped at a Target and got her her first puffed jacket.  We had walked all over downtown and saw our usual sites, Powell’s, Target, ate at a great Mexican food restaurant and did some shopping. Day 1 was so much fun, but the next day was the most fun!

Across the street from Dante's Inferno at VooDoo Doughnuts

Day 2: Snow Day, Mt. Hood-

This day was the best! We bought snow chains in Redding and were excited to (maybe) get to use them! We left around 10 am and headed to Mt. Hood! We drove for about an hour in the rain until we saw snow.

The view of the snow from the car.

The poor kids had outgrown their snow boots and didn’t mention anything till the night before, so it was time to go buy new boots. One of the things I love about Oregon shopping is no sales tax 💕💕. The kids, Isaiah especially, love buying items there and waits to get his video games there.

As soon as we got near the mountain, we started to see cars passing whose tops were covered in snow. We knew we were getting closer! We drove a bit up into the mountain, which Miles didn’t feel too comfortable with. He kept saying, “This is good, we’ll stop soon” but pushy and excited me kept saying, “Just a little further, please? The kids wanna see the snow and I want them to have a white Christmas and remember how beautiful it was!” Yeah... that was me! I know how to get to my husband to do things, and know he couldn't say no to that (I'm horrible 😞).

We wound up stopping by a ski resort. The snow was so beautiful! He was still worried about where we had stopped and said we didn’t have much time before we had to leave. But did we have fun in our short time there! Although we didn’t get up the mountain and didn’t put chains on our tires, he made sure the kids had a great time! We kept thinking, “oh how Lily (our dog) would love the snow ❄️ ” but also how cold and miserable she’d be since she was and is a SoCal dog 🐕 . She can't hang in the cold for too long.

Snowy Trees

The trees were beautiful, the street was covered, the air was cold, and the scenery was magical. It was an amazing time! We made so many snowballs and had our own snowball fight, and made the rule of nothing above the shoulders or below the belt. Boy!, did I forget how much snowballs hurt and how cold they are. 

He is the 2nd snowman we've made to-date!

We even got a chance to make a snowman.☃️ . He didn’t look all that great since we weren’t prepared with materials for a snowman, but he was ours, and he was perfect! The day was just beautiful! The kids talk about it to this day. The snowman took us a long time to make since he kept falling apart and then we’d try to put him back together. 

We all loved the snow so much!

The snow was so beautiful and white, and fluffy, it was like straight out of a movie! There was a dog there and it was so cute, just running loose and having the time of its life! It was definitely so beautiful!

☮

We really spent about 30 minutes in the snow but did it feel like hours! Oh, how we would've liked to stay the entire day, but our fingers and toes were so cold, Miles and I agreed to get going. He said on the way back to town, that he didn't think it was safe to stay there longer than we did because we didn't have the proper vehicle to get us safely back to town. We packed some pb&j's for the trip down, in case we got hungry, but... they weren't prepped ahead of time. So when I say we"packed" them, we just bought and loaded the items in the car. Trust Me, never make a pb&j sandwich in a moving vehicle.

It was decided unanimously that we would eat REAL food, so we stopped in downtown once more to find something to eat. We decided on Subway. After our bellies were full, we went to visit Rocket Fizz! There so much there, we didn't know where to start. While looking around, Isaiah found this mask, decided to put it on while dancing to The Village People's YMCA. I recorded it and put on Instagram but had to take it down due to copyright.

Day 3: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)-

Day 3 was a great day as well! I had searched up some fun places to go to with children on Pinterest, and OMSI came up! We Lucked Out because our hotel was only a few minutes driving distance from the museum. Before entering the museum, I thought the museum was going to be about Oregon's industry and its history... it was not. Everything ended up working out and it was a fun place!

The line was SUUUPER long, and we waited a good 20-30 minutes just to buy entry tickets. 

Once we got it, we wound up splitting up, and I went with Serenity to go make a scribble robot made out of an electric toothbrush. She enjoyed designing it and make it hers, but was a little upset when she couldn't take it with her. I took a picture and video of her making it and seeing it do its thing for future reference. I also sent a picture to her teacher, and she said they were making them when they got back from break, so she would have a head start on the rest of the class.

Later in the day, we kept walking and found the Gingerbread exhibit. Everything in there was so cool! There were so many creations made out of pure gingerbread! There were minions, ancient Egypt, multiple level creations, it was so amazing!

In the end, there was a place where kids can color a gingerbread, and both kids did one! They were so cute, and there were so many!

Day 4: Movie Day-

Serenity standing next to the movie poster Serenity

The next day, we decided to go to the movies in the city nearby and watch Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse. I personally wasn't too excited about seeing it, but it turned out to be a great movie! We all loved it and even got some cool "Butt Kicker" seats, that aren't available in SoCal.

Day 5: Tillamook Creamery, Tillamook, OR-

Entrance to Tillamook Creamery

Nearing the end of the trip, we decided to make another visit to Tillamook Creamery. Nothing says Oregon, like some Tillamook ice cream! The last time we were there, the factory was being remodeled, and they had a trailer off to the side that was the temporary factory, or museum, I suppose. It was nice to visit, and see it finished!

A the end, the kids saw this 1/2 VW bus that said "Tillamook" in front, and there was a LOOONG line! It Turns Out, many people were just waiting in line for ice cream, and not the bus, so we got in and took a bazillion pictures!

Day 6: Headed Home!

It was time to head home! Because we decided to split the trip home into two days, we weren't in a big hurry to get going. We usually start off our days slow anyway. For our last night in Oregon, we decided to stay with my aunt at her place.  She works 6 days out of the week, so we didn’t get to see her our last day (morning) there, but we said goodbye the night before.

This morning, we packed up all our stuff, did 5-6 checks to make sure nothing of big importance was being left behind, and we got the road late that morning, picking up some breakfast on the way home. The first day is the longest! We drive about 10 hours into California, and it’s the last time we see the sites!

Late that night, we got to our hotel and blasted the A/C. It is so hot in Redding during the summer, I call it California’s little Vegas. It was nice to get out of the car, and not have to use a gas station restroom, or order food through a fast food restaurant drive-thru and eat the food in the car. I enjoyed sleeping on a bed, and we were one step closer to being home.

The next morning was slow again. This time there was no big hurry because the drive back wouldn’t be as long. We slowly got up, showered & ready and packed up the car once more, checked out of the hotel and headed towards home. This time we ate breakfast at the hotel. We love checking in to hotels that provide free breakfast.

We drove for about another 9-10 hours, stopping only for gas and the occasional walk to stretch our legs a bit. Now that the kids are older, traveling with them isn’t too bad, and we are learning to travel to Miles’ ways and rules. He says that if it were just him, he wouldn’t steal except to get gas, and that would just because he’s nearing empty. That was good to hear 😂.

After another long day of being in the car, we made it back to our home 🏡! Because Miles likes to do all the driving, he has “perfected” his technique of getting us home at a decent time. We don’t get home usually, any later than perhaps 9:30-10 o’clock at night. At the latest.

Once home, we bring all our luggage in, give our dog some love and cuddles and go to bed 🛌 . Does anyone else feel strange sleeping on their bed after a week or so of sleeping on other beds? I always feel like it’s a stranger's bed the first night, even though it’s my own.

Wrapping up Oregon | Summer 2017

Oregon Welcomes You sign,
Oregon

We're starting to wrap up our trip here in Oregon *sad face*. We left Oceanside early Monday morning at 3 a.m! I couldn't sleep Sunday night so so had a total of 3 hours of sleep when we began our trek to the PNW. We also invited my mom to join us on this adventure because it's actually my aunt, her sister that lives in Forest Grove, and they haven't seen each other in over 2 years! So I left my car at her house Sunday night for her to drive back to my apartment early Monday morning and then began our 16+ hour drive!

We were making great time on Monday and stopped at our halfway point (Sacramento, CA) for lunch at In-N-Out and gas around 11 a.m. Things started to slow down from there cause we made it into Oregon around 4 p.m but didn't get into Forest Grove till almost midnight because we had to replace our wheel. *sad face, again*. We wound up getting back on the road and found my aunt's house. *Side note: Miles is amazing because he drove 20+ hours from Oceanside to Forest Grove!

Tuesday, Miles took the car to get the wheel replaced in the next town (Hillsboro). We visited Tillamook city and stopped at the Tillamook exhibit  where they show the process of how their dairy products are made. It was amazing! -And we got some free cheese samples out of it. After visiting Tillamook and buying souvenirs and ice cream, we made a few stops along the Oregon coast and visited some of the beaches (Rockaway & Cannon). These bleaches are not like our Southern California beaches! They're colder, water is further out but beautiful and definitely not crowded!

Tillamook Dairy Farm Exhibit
Tillamook, OR

Yesterday (Wednesday),  I spontaneously agreed to getting a tattoo done on the inside of my right arm. For those of you that know me, I love Van Gogh and his paintings are amazing! I have been slowly working on a sleeve (or 2) with Van Gogh as the theme. Well yesterday, I got Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette.. and I love it! It's my biggest piece yet! We also left my aunt's house and stayed in a hotel in Portland to see some sights!

Skull of Skeleton with Burning Cigarette
Van Gogh
My new tattoo

We had dinner a few minutes away from our hotel room at The Angry Unicorn which has amazing burgers, by the way! And while there met a local who told us about Rocky Butte, which is also beautiful! So many sights to see there! It's also perfect for taking photos (which I did a mini session with my own children)! He also told us that Rocky Butte is right behind the hotel we're staying at! So it took about 10 minutes to get there! Once we got there, there were like 3 (spread out) flights of stairs... but we took them like champs!

Today, we visited downtown Portland and stopped by the iconic VooDoo Doughnuts, Powell's Book Store, had breakfast at Slappy Cales and Stumptown Coffee. We also made a lunch stop at Old Town Pizza & Brewing which the local we met yesterday said that it's known to be haunted (ooh, spooky). I mean, how can we pass that up?!

VooDoo Doughnuts

Portland, Oregon 

Slappy Cakes,
Portland, OR

Also, the sun sets here around 9:30-10 p.m! Back I need Oceanside it an around 7:30-8 p.m... so we're getting longer days, but are waking up cranky in the mornings!

We're about halfway done with our day and we have a few more stops left before we call it a night! Till the next post!

Days left: 1 1/2

Oregon Trip | Summer 2015

Multnomah Falls
Columbia River Gorge, OR
June 2015

The school year has ended once again, and I'm another year closer to my babies not being, well... babies anymore! Isaiah has finished 3rd grade and Serenity completed 2nd. Where is the time going?

On the upside, summer break usually means vacations! And that is true for this family. Next week we head up to Oregon to visit family and explore the Pacific Northwest! We've been up once before (2 years ago) and it was the kids' first time on an airplane, ever! They did really well and we slept almost the entire plane ride (all 2.5 hrs).

This trip will be different from that one because we're driving!! Yup, we will be making the 16-20 hour trek up to Forest Grove, OR from Oceanside, CA. 16 hours doesn't seem too bad (right now) with kids... we'll see how we do!

For this trip, I am taking my camera & equipment to take photos of every form through the sites! I have already told Miles that we are stopping for photos along the way and unless it's late at night and scary, I'm taking photos.

We are all excited to be able to take the kids back up to the PNW for more adventures and memories! Along with taking my the kids back up to the PNW, we are bringing my mom along! My aunt (her sister), haven't seen each other in over 2 years!! So both my mom and aunt are excited!!

Today, we made a reservation at the PetsHotel at PetSmart for the dog (Lily) and are cleaning the house in its entirety before we leave. Laundry is my life for the next few days and nights! I will post more about our preparations as we get closer to the trip!


Countdown: 4 days!