A Quarantine Birthday Party

My daughter Lyla turned 10 during this COVID-19 quarantine but that was not stopping me from making it memorable and amazing for her. Here are my tips for making a birthday super fun during this time.

Step 1:
I made a video! We asked family, friends, teachers, coaches, and even pets to send Lyla a video wishing her a happy birthday. I got a huge response and strung together with iMovie (it's easy, I promise!). The morning of her birthday we streamed the movie on the big living room TV for her to watch the 17 minute video of wishes. She LOVED it and it helped her seeing everyone that cared about her.

I gave our folks 2 weeks so send in a video and they did not disappoint. It's a great way to show your birthday birthday boy or girl some love.


Step 2:
We planned a virtual party on Zoom with an opposite birthday parade.

Lyla picked a few friends and we made birthday party kits. The morning of her birthday, I decorated my car and we drove to all her friends houses, dropped off the kits, and then came back home for the party.

The party included:

• Making a birthday hat. I got this kit and divvied it up between the girls
• Game: 2 truths and a lie as an ice breaker to get the girls to know each other and comfortable
• Trivia Game - I created questions, a leaderboard, and kept track of points. The girls had a blast!
• Scavenger Hunt - I had a list of items they had to find in their house and bring to Zoom. Each item was worth points
• Panda cupcakes for all! The party kit had a cupcake so we sang to Lyla all together and ate cupcakes
• Final leaderboard and winner of the party games!

I made spreadsheets for the scoreboard, trivia game, and scavenger hunt, and a slide deck to show the leaderboard. Utilizing my work skills for a kids birthday party, thank you working mom status!

Lyla had found a really cute invite one Evite with a panda bear so that is the theme she went with.

Party bag included a little poem, a panda bear cupcake my daughter made (with plate and napkin), the hat craft, trivia score card, a bookmark and coloring craft for after the party, and a little goody bag.

We hand delivered the bags in our cool "birthday bus" to see her friends. Some of them had signs and even gifts and balloons for the birthday girl! My hands were clean making the bags and and before I delivered, sanitized after everyone. The note on the cupcake box included rules to clean hands before eating :). Sign for my car I got free from Oriental Trading as they sent us a gift card for $20 for being a past shopper. Love it!

I used my work Zoom account so our party could be a bit longer than free Zoom. I made a special virtual backdrop and even though it was a bust as it didn't work the best for all, it was a fun time to "see" everyone together.

It wasn't the way she expected to celebrate the big double digits birthday but it was special for sure. My daughter told me later that day that she was so appreciative of all I did to make her birthday special.

If you're throwing someone a quarantine or social distancing party, you can definitely do it in a way to make them special.

Day 30 of Covid-19 Quarantine

For Our Gymnasts During COVID-19

By: Jessie D’Amato Ford (mom of @gymnnastlyla)

Take a minute or even five

Mourn the losses you’ve had

The end of seasons, loss of states

Take the time and just be sad.

Cry for the team mates you miss

Think of your coaches at home

Spend some time being angry

Spend some time being alone.

Once you’ve grieved for the loss

Get right back up on your feet

There is no time to waste now

There soon will be more meets.

Take this free time for you

Make the most of it all

Work harder than you ever have

Keep getting back up if you fall.

Dedicate time to get stronger

Work towards big goals

Be the gymnast you always have been

It’s your time to fill your role.

You owe it to yourself 

To never give up on your dreams

Practice, train, condition

And repeat as you deem.

When this is over some day

Your hard work will shine through

A stronger, more empowered girl

Will make you see what is true.

You can nail that skill 

You can take the leap

You can rise above

You can go down deep.

Someday soon you will know

What your coaches already see

You have won the medal this time

You are finally free.

Day 29 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Today was another blur of a day. I worked, kids played and did some school. By the end of the night, I stayed on my own watching TV and not sleeping most of the day.

I'm finding it hard to focus and not get completely depressed. Good thing I can still get hugs from my kids.

Day 28 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Wow 28 days.

Happy quarantine Easter everyone :(

Day 27 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Today was another normal Saturday. Working out in the yard, doing some organizing, cleaning, etc. Our neighbors are chit chatting with us in the cul de sac and everyone seems to have a different idea of what is going to happen and when. Even one neighbor called this a scam-demic thinking the government is behind it all if he could he'd go back to work - he gets sick, he gets sick...

(rolling eyes)

We will get through this, eventually.

Day 26 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Pizza Friday at Gramma and Grampa's today.

We had our own pizza, our own paper goods, and my sister took the photo with her phone. None of us left the trunk. Staying safe while seeing family.

Day 25 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Day 24 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Today was okay. Another day. Groundhog day.

Day 23 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Losing all reality as we go day after day of monotonous life.

I'm almost glad we had an argument last night to mix things up.

I started off journaling here to make me feel better but I'm not sure it's really helping...

Things that are helping:

1. Not wearing a bra.
2. Not wearing legit shoes and only garden clogs anytime I'm outside.
3. Tiger King on Netflix
4. Watching my kids use Facebook Messenger (hysterical)
5. Chocolate.

Day 22 of Covid-19 Quarantine

My Monday in Pictures

Day 21 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Today was okay. I decided I needed to get out. I took a shower, put on the jeans, did makeup and told the family I'd be back.

I was supposed to go to Walmart for some supplies but I got totally freaked out by it. Like I didn't want to put me or my family at risk whatsoever... so I didn't go.

I went to the beach instead, sat in the parking lot, walked around the park area for a few minutes and then ventured back home. While it was nice to be on my own, I just kept thinking how my kids would have loved to ride their bikes at the park with me.

Spent the rest of my day prepping for school for the week and trying a new plan. I hope it works (fingers crossed).

We watched the movie, Jojo Rabbit and loved it and ate way too many chocolates and ice cream. No more junk for me for a few weeks...

Day 20 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Today was a typical Saturday at our house. We worked in the yard, cleaned up around the house, had a family dinner, watched a movie, etc.

It was overall a good day. We almost forgot we normal life was no longer normal...

Day 19 of Covid-19 Quarantine

We took a field trip today. Drove up to see my parents, my sister, and grandmother. We didn't leave the car, just waved and chatted a bit from afar.

Not sure if it made me feel better or worse but I'll go with worse.

I'm getting SO frustrated at how long this is taking and it's only because so many people are not following the damn rules.

Just. Stay. The. Fuck. Home.

If we all stay home, we'll get through this faster. Flatten the curve, protect our healthcare workers and STAY HOME. How hard of a concept is that people?!

Day 18 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Who knows what day it was. All I know is that we got through it, barely.

Lyla ended up falling off her bike and busted up her legs pretty bad. Felt SO bad and she couldn't calm down for hours.

I'm sad that we're still stuck at home but grateful to be healthy.

Day 17 of Covid-19 Quarantine

April 1st.

It's actually not a prank after all because here we are still in hell.

Damn.

I told Lyla that she was going to have repeat 4th grade because she's missing so much school. She literally freaked out. It was funny for a good five minutes.

Then two minutes later she told me the cat knocked down a plant in the upstairs bathroom. I went up to fix it knowing full well we had no plants in our upstairs bathroom. But still fell for it anyway. Yup, gullible much?

I went almost all day talking to my husband as we had an argument and I was just fine ignoring him all day. That was fun.

I took a nice long walk by myself.

I ate some REALLY good chicken tikka masala that the husband cooked after we sorted out our argument.

Then we started watching Tiger King on Netflix and omg - wow.

Day 16 of Covid-19 Quarantine

I literally just thought today was Monday but it's Tuesday. Anyone else not able to distinguish days?

It's like freaking groundhog day. I've never felt like Bill Murray so much in my life.

Today was a blur, another busy day. Our big highlight was getting the kids McDonald's Happy Meals for dinner. They were so freaking excited. It's the little things...

Day 15 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Today was a LONG day but I survived it.

I ended my day with the kids with eggs and toast for dinner and then a walk. It was drizzling lightly and I was in my pajamas but didn't care in the least. The kids took some oreo cookies as their dessert and we walked up and down our hill laughing silly together.

We sang songs, told stories, watched oreos roll down the hill (very far actually!), and got a little wet while we spend 45 minute strolling along. It was a breath of fresh air and one we will repeat every day. So grateful for this time I get with them even though this world is upside down :(

Day 14 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Today was a rainy day in paradise or I mean my house.

I worked most of the day, I mean it's Sunday but does work week even matter at this point?

I made some connections today:

- Dropped off some food for my aunt
- Talked a friend I hadn't in a while
- Happy hour with the family over Zoom

Jared made a roast dinner and I painted the kids nails. I also set expectations for the week. Crossing my fingers...

Amazon Shopping in the Time of COVID-19

Stuck at home like everyone else and need to keep your kiddos busy?

Missing shopping?

Just need something to make this time go by faster?

I've curated a list just for you! Here are items guaranteed to make your family happy with my Amazon shopping in the time of COVID-19.

#1: Forty-Eight Funny Faces

This book has kept my children (ages 5 and 9) busy for hours on end! They also forgot about it and then came back to a year later and still love it. It's been a blessing for needing to keep them busy. A must have for kids of all ages!

#2: World of Disney Eye Found It Card Game

This is an absolute hit! I wasn't too sure what I got myself into when I bought it but it's not just a look and find game. My kids adore it and every adult we introduce it to love it as well. It's perfect to beat boredom and no matter how many times you play, it's a fresh game. You can't get bored of it!

#3: Crayola Create N Carry

We love these kits. Both my kids have one and even though we're stuck at home, it's an awesome thing to have just so they know who's is who. I put their names on the cases and the boxes of supplies and they can easily create what they want, whenever they want, wherever they want. And if we need to get out of the house, they can easily grab it to go. We even added stickers to our boxes and other things to color on. A great tool for any time.

#4: Melissa and Doug Reusable Sticker Pads

Best sticker pads ever! Hands down! These $5 toys keep my kids busy for hours! The quality is amazing too so you can reuse and reuse and reuse. Stick with the Melissa and Doug brand and check out all the scenes. Dinosaurs, house, my town, animals, and more. One pad can keep your kids occupied for ages.

#5: Imagination Magnets

We had a group play date for my sons school and the classroom had this toy. The entire hour we were there, he played with these. He absolutely loved it so I got him a set for home. They are fun and educational and definitely worth a purchase.

#6: Find Your Rainbow

I got this for my tween and it's a staple as a birthday gift for her friends. The book allows kids to write, color, and help with self-growth. The activities and messages are not only amazing but the design of this book is beautiful. 

#7: Scratch Art

We love scratch art! You can get simple sheets like this or they even have ornaments, and other items for scratching like notebooks, etc. So take a look at all there is to offer. This activity allows kids to be creative and colorful. You can be any kind of artist and it comes out cool.

#8: Bracelet Making Kit

I love this kit because it has beads and twine. Remember when we were kids and we'd make bracelets with the twine all the time? Teach your kids! So much fun and definitely a good activity to keep everyone busy. Then mail them to family and friends you miss!

#9: Slicky Notes

Have you heard of these? These papers stick to everything! They are really fun to play with and stick all over. They come in rectangle shape and square shape and are great for making todo lists for your kids. You can stick right on them if you want to remind them of things (hahaha!)

10: Press Here, Mix it Up, Let's Play books

We love these books! I've bought them for so many birthday parties throughout the years and I'm pretty sure I have at least two of them memorized. These books are perfect "activity" books but also reading books. Your kids of all ages will appreciate them.

These ten items have been awesome to have in my house during this time and I hope the next time you're itching to add something to your virtual cart, you'll find something to truly help you get through your time. 

Day 13 of Covid-19 Quarantine

Wow another Saturday at home.

Today we worked outside as a family doing some cleanup and laying down mulch.

I did some actual work as well. It was a pretty simple day and one that we would do normally regardless of quarantine. For that I am grateful. It's nice for some normalcy.

I can't believe it's almost been two weeks. :(