Paraguay started their Phase 1 & 2 of reopening things this month including opening parks, small businesses, shopping malls (minus the food court), restaurants for take out only (delivery was always available) and 50% work capacity in larger businesses. Pharmacies and grocery stores remain open. There have been no communal spreading of the virus for some time now so we are hopeful things are looking up for us. Each phase has a 3 week gap before the next phase and we are encouraged to continue smart quarantining meaning not going out unless necessary and wearing masks in public.
And now for an update on us. This time we'll break it down for you person by person starting with the youngest member of the family.
Finley:
This little gal turned 18 and 19 months old since last we reported. On her 18 month "birthday" we decided to have a little celebration. Just us of course but we did make cupcakes and then the next day safely delivered the extra to our neighbors who were very appreciative.
She is working desperately to keep up with big sister. She is running, chasing, almost jumping and riding the scooter like a big kid! Where does the time go? She's still not saying many words. The words she does say include hola, ma, and dada. Dada is her word for many different things including Dad, Mom, that, this, all done, and bath time. But she understands SOOO much! You ask her a question and she'll nod her head yes or go do the thing you asked.
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| "Working" |
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| Giving 'besos'. It's our favorite! "Da me besos por favor." |
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| POPCORN!! |
Mackenzie:
We've been trying to do school related activities daily but sometimes fall short. Recently we downloaded a learning app to help her recognize her letters since we feel that's more important than making a Paraguayan flag or paper guitar, no offense to her little school which we still adore! She loves it and it's been great for us. And it is working! Which is really the best reason of all to keep it up.
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| It was Paraguay's Independence Day so that's why she made this flag. |
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| Colored rice! |
We can now go out on walks and she asks for them everyday. On the walk she rides her scooter and she's getting really good at it. Zooming around holes (which are many) and carrying it over bad patches of sidewalk (which are also many).
She loves her banana game at night and one in particular is helping her with counting and number recognition; Garbage. Played with a regular deck of cards the object is to get Ace (1) through 10 with Kings being wild. She is now able to identify the place the numbers go in a row without having to count every single one out.
Kiersten:
This mama has been working hard to keep everything going and there have been weeks and days where things just fell apart. This quarantine has been tough on all of us and the emotional toll just kind of hits when you least expect it. Kiersten is SUPER grateful for Scott and his positive, happy, helping attitude and the flexibility in his work schedule which allows him to be home some weeks and work shorter hours the other weeks. This will probably changing in short order but for now we are grateful.
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| Kiersten went to the grocery store for the first time in 6 weeks! |
She has been doing virtual piano lessons for one student on Tuesday evenings and continues to work on her Day Trading job. There have been ups and downs there too but overall she is confident once a routine and schedule is in place that will get better. She also decided to kick off another wellness challenge for the Embassy community here being the head of the Wellness Committee and all. So she's been running that as well. Lots of different hats and its starting to show. But thankfully! we brought Nanima back to work this week in preparation for a full week next week. We've all enjoyed having her back!
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| Working that trading job. (This happened to be a good day.) |
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| Still the Quiz Master during quarantine but now with an Assistant! |
Mother's Day (May 10) was a quiet day spent at home. Kiersten was able to relax and read a book while being showered with love from her girls and husband.
Scott:
As previously stated, some weeks he works and some weeks he's home. When he's home he helps with the kids, does chores, makes some dinners and has taken over Friday night Pizza and Movie Night. We've discovered the amazing properties of fresh yeast and are converted in using it to make pizza dough. Fluffy, light dough that rises in half the time. Mega win!
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| We are really into pan pizzas too. Less prep and fewer to make. |
Scott and Kiersten celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary during Quarantine this month (May 14) and it was a pretty subtle affair. We replicated our honeymoon breakfast which always included hot chocolate and a fruit platter and then as tradition dictates had a family picture and ate Mexican food for dinner (we Honeymooned in Mexico).
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| How many years back can you see in the little frame? |
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| We also treated ourselves to an ice cream flight! |
That's about it from us. Lots of the same things. Popcorn, movies, playing, walking, mask wearing, crying, laughing, boredom, baking, eating, zooming, game nights, quiz nights, home church, home schooling, Facetiming, family chatting, Marco Polo videoing and so much more. One can't help but wonder if this time apart is actually bringing us closer to our loved ones back home. We are connecting now more than ever and while we still miss everyone dearly we are so appreciative we are keeping in touch during this challenging time.
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| Picnicing |
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| Getting colder so we had s'mores! |
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| Harry Potter game night with our dear friends Brenda and Netza in CA. |
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| Playing with homemade slime. |
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| Making baking soda water color paint. |
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| Learning how to crack eggs, a very valuable skill. |
