COVID-19 makes landfall in Paraguay

Hey hey everyone. How's every body doing?

Since we last posted, COVID-19 has run rampant through the world and last weekend we received our first confirmed case in Paraguay. It was only a matter of time. As a result the government has taken proactive steps to prevent an outbreak. Today marks day 1 of a 15 day school and public events closure. No parks, movie theaters or school. It's good they are taking these measures so we'll see how the next two weeks go.

That being said, lots of other things happened last week. Scott returned home from his conference in Miami safe and sound and no illness to speak of. He enjoyed connecting with other people and eating lots of yummy American foods like Five Guys, Chick-fil-a and Cheesecake Factory. The girls survived the week without him and only ate out... 4 times, haha! And yes, we ate lots of burger cheese. The girls were great and as a surprise Daddy bought them Anna and Elsa dolls from THE Disney store as a treat.

Play date with Embassy friends

Playing at the Mall then getting burger cheese one night.

We hosted the sisters one night. Sister Gardner (yellow shirt) just got transferred.
She's been in the area 6 months so we've gotten to know her. She will be missed.

Did some baking, naturally. Lemon cookies.

  

Ice cream!

Eating out again, this time at Monte Libanos across from the Temple.

This week our nanny is out of town on vacation so we've had a sub nanny, one of our new regular babysitters from the Ward. A recent high school grad looking for work to help pay for her college courses, she was more than happy to pick up the hours for this week. She's been great and Kiersten is thankful she was willing to help out.

Mackenzie was exhausted the day Daddy came home and put herself to bed on the couch with her new dolls.

Bop-bop and Piggie shenanigans.

Elsa and Anna. So cute!

The Mackenzie Update:

• She got her first hair cut this week. After bath one night she had a big knot in her hair at the ends. So bad that Kiersten needed to cut it out. While she was at it, gave her a full hair cut/trim. About one inch. Thank goodness for her curly hair but she actually did a good job.

  

  Fall is coming and Mackenzie likes to pick up the leaves on the walk to school.

• She can now spell and write her own name! Not sure if this is early for a 3.5 year-old but we are super proud of her. It's a long name! Nine letters!
• She was a big helper with baby sister last week with Daddy gone. She really earned that Disney toy.

  

  Helping sister put her shoes on!

• She's started going in to Finley's room in the mornings and keeping her company. Kiersten works out in the morning and when she comes home she has found Mackenzie in Finely's room, sometimes in Finley's bed!
  

The Finely Report:

• Walking, walking, walking. This girl loves to walk. She's getting really good at it. And is there anything cuter than a walking baby? I contest that there is not.

  

  A morning selfie at breakfast with all these cute girls.

• She wants everything big sister has. There has been more tears and screaming with the walking now as well so there is a double edge sword effect going on.

  

  "What's going on out there?"

• She got a little sick this week. ...School germs. Just a runny nose and little cough. She seems to be on the mend though. Phew.
• For a few weeks now we've noticed when she has a tissue or baby wipe she'll blow her nose. She hates it when we wipe her nose but she'll do it all day long by herself.
• Her new favorite toy is the blowup beach ball. It's light, easy to cary around and fun to "throw". She'll pick it up, walk around and then throw/drop the ball and laugh.

  

  Always smiling, always laughing, always happy!

• She now requests a fork when eating, just like the rest of us thank you very much.

  

  She's getting the hang of using now too. Before, food was placed on the fork by hand.

With the increasing cases of COVID-19 throughout American we aren't sure what's going to happen with our end of month plans and subsequent trips. Scott's family might still come down and we might still go to Peru but we'll just have to see what happens. And what will be will be. See you next week!