Learning From Home, Hamburger Buns & Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Dance has kept our days from just running into the next. It has been the thing that has kept our lives just a little bit, dare I say, normal? Every day the Girls do their dance classes via Zoom. They get to talk with their teachers and their dance friends. They CHANGE into their dance clothes or “uniform” by doing this, it has kept them feeling like things are normalish.

When spring break ended we knew that we had to get into some sort of schedule. I made a daily plan incorporating dance, household things and school lessons. Ninja took Science, Music and Math and I took Language Arts, Social Studies and Art. We added chores, helping with dinner, quiet time and outside time. Every day I put up the schedule and the Girls know what to expect. They have to be dressed, washed up and teeth brushed by 9:00am. They have to come to the table with their planners and write a word that describes how they are feeling that day. So far there have been some VERY interesting words 😂 HBear brought disengaged and grumpy to the first day!! SBean has brought words like, hungry, nervous, great, cozy, and happy.

They LOVE the schedule. There is less fighting and helping the kids has given Ninja and I something to focus on during this uncertain time. It is the only thing I can control 😜.  In no way do we think we are teachers. I wouldn’t even call this homeschooling. I call it Learning From Home. We are trying to teach the kids stuff that isn’t necessarily on their curriculum but keeps their minds engaged and questioning.

I honestly can’t believe this is where we are at. I can’t imagine if I was trying to work from home, with my husband who is also learning to work from home, while keeping up a house AND keeping my kids busy with schoolwork!!!!! Thinking about that actually gives me anxiety. I am grateful that Ninja and I have the time to do this. I am thankful that as of right now, the kids are loving having Mommy and Daddy all to themselves. I am happy to be able to be hands on with our Girls during this crazy time!

I read an article it was called, “That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief” and 1 paragraph really stood out to me. It said,

There’s denial, which we see a lot of early on: This Virus won’t affect us. There’s anger: You’re making me stay home and taking away my activities. There’s bargaining: Okay, if I social distance for 2 weeks everything will be better, right? There’s sadness: I don’y know when this will end. And finally there’s acceptance. This is happening; I have to figure out how to proceed.

Whatever phase you are in, it’s OK.
Whatever you are able to do at home, is OK.
If you can’t keep up with the laundry, it’s OK.
If your kids are watching TV all day while you work to keep food on the table, it’s OK.
If you have been grumpy with your significant other because you’re not used to being with them… all the time, it’s OK.
If you snap at your kids because you gave them work and they don’t want to do it, it’s OK.
If you lock yourself in the bathroom and eat all the chocolate that you have been stockpiling in your bedside table, it’s OK.

HOWEVER YOU ARE HANDLING THIS BRAND NEW WORLD… IT’S OK!!!

Give yourself a break. Give yourself a hug. I sure have! These are strange times and there is no wrong way to do it. This is unchartered ground. There is no precedent for this. We are all in this together. All the kids in the entire world are going through this. All of them are out of school. They will ALL be starting fresh next school year. They are ALL on a level playing field. Don’t get down on yourself. Just do the best that you can 💛.

In Math Ninja has been helping HBear with her multiplication facts. He has been teaching SBean about money and telling the time.

Music is easy because HBear loves practicing her trombone and SBean has been dying for Ninja to teach her how to play her piano! We haven’t had the time… but now we do!

I have found a great YouTube channel for drawing lessons with Thrive Art Studio. We have also done Easter crafts, made a birthday card for SBean’s MBesty, and made a holder for HBear’s glasses.

Homemade Hamburger Buns
Adapted from Domestic Dreamboat

2 1/4 teaspoons active yeast (1 envelope)
1 cup warm water (105° F/41° C)
3 cups flour (I only used 2 1/2 cups)
1 large egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
canola oil (for brushing bowl and dough)
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk

Stir together yeast, water and 1/2 cup flour in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl. Let sit until mixture becomes foamy, 10-15 minutes.

Stir the melted butter, egg, sugar and salt into the yeast mixture. Add 2 1/2 cups of flour and knead with a dough hook until all the flour has been incorporated. If the dough remains very sticky, continue adding the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, 1 Tablespoon at a time until the dough is smooth and elastic, and just stops sticking to the bottom of the bowl (make sure all of the previous flour is incorporated before adding more).

Form dough into a smooth ball and brush lightly with oil. Place in a lightly oiled bowl and let rise for about 2 hours, until doubled in size.

Form dough into a log and cut into 8 pieces. Work with 1 piece of dough at a time, and keep the remainder covered. Form each piece into a ball, tucking the ends underneath. Slightly flatten the ball with the palm of your hand. Place dough patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment about 1/2″ apart. Allow to rise about 1 hour, until doubled.

Heat oven to 375°F. Mix eggs and milk together. When buns have risen, lightly brush the egg mixture on top of each bun (you won’t use all the egg wash).