Lockdown - Week Four Recap!

Oh, I know that there'll be better days

Oh, that sunshine 'bout to come my way
May we never ever shed another tear for today
'Cause oh, I know that there'll be better days

My theme song for this week is "Better Days" by OneRepublic. Thank you Trish and Kaethe for sharing the following video that OneRepublic put out to support WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Better Days in Support of COVID19

In Paris, we finished up our fourth week in lock-down and it really does feel like there are "better days" ahead.

President Macron spoke to us on Monday evening.  Even while admitting that France was not prepared enough for this crisis as we should have been, he was able to outline steps moving forward.  He extended the national lockdown until May 11, saying that at that time, restrictions would gradually begin to be lifted.  He shared that schools would be one of the first to open, although universities will stay closed until the summer.  People will also start going back to work at that point.  The elderly, and those at risk with pre-existing health conditions, will still need stay in lockdown beyond May 11.  Also, it looks like cafes, bars, restaurants, museums, theaters, and concert halls will remain closed.  Social distancing will need to continue.  By May 11, he also believes that general use masks will be available for everyone in the country.  He also added that by May 11, the country will have the capacity to test everyone with symptoms.

We were not surprised by this date.  In fact, I think we thought it might go until the end of May.  But with a date of May 11, we all seem to have a bit more "pep" in our step, for it allows us to think about it will be like to leave our neighborhood.  Baby steps, but still steps.

I saw this on Facebook this week - "You are all getting excited
about Monday, May 11, but I didn't say what year."

Because of this new "release" date, we are busy hitting the homeschooling curriculum hard!  My hope is that by May 11, we are done with school.  The kids have been rockstars in completing their work and assignments.  We continue to stay ahead of the Northfield Public Schools, so this May 11 date feels like an attainable reality.

In addition to school, we are still enjoying our confinement.  The weather has been incredible so we continue to get out for walk and runs.  Jeff and I have figured out the new running guidelines.  Basically, we can't run between 10 am and 7 pm.  There were just too many of us out running between the busiest times of day.  These new hours have a unique feel to them.  It is really only runners out and about.  There is a solidarity amongst us, as we pass around each other by 2-3 meters.  We are still able to get out and walk between 10 am and 7 pm though.  This gives me a second chance to get out with Will.  Will heads out on his scooter but insists on running home, increasing his distance each day.   The best part of this is watching me try to use his scooter to get home.   Edy is able to go out again by herself for walks.  This has done wonders for her, and for us.  She has been missing this freedom.

It is not uncommon to get stopped by the police when out and about.  I got stopped yesterday and again today.  The police ask to see your attestation - form indicating the purpose of your outing, along with your address, and date of birthday.  They also ask for identification, so I have started running with my passport.  This feels weird, since I have only ever brought it out when we travel to a new country.  Knowing that you will probably get stopped by the police, makes everyone more responsible about their activities.

Like you all, we created some unique memories this year on Easter.  We watched the Easter service from The American Church in Paris, played 5 Crowns, got out for a walk, Zoomed with our loved ones, and dressed up for a homemade Easter dinner.  I found the day to be particularly hard, as it didn't feel that different from the other 30+ days we have been in lockdown.  It was only when I got out for a walk on my own, and I saw the sunlight shining through the trees that I found peace.  Jesus' light was not dimmed, even in crucifixion.  Ours won't be either.

Just the reminder I needed...

A special Easter chat with the Bash family and Granmama and Pappy.

No one complained about dressing up.

Homemade mashed potatoes, sautéed zucchini, our favorite sausage links,
a fresh baguette, and lemonade with grenadine.

Family Easter Photo - selfie style!

A true blessing on Easter was that our neighborhood
Catholic Church was open.  Jeff and I got to go in and visit. 

A bit of French humor on Easter.  When Jesus exits the tomb,
the French police ask, "Do you have your exit certificate?

One additional highlight of the week was our first virtual learning assignment from Aunt Judy.  Each week, Aunt Judy is teaching the four cousins a lesson in science, geography, art, or history.  Last week, she challenged us to create Art at Home.  Not only did the kids have to each choose a famous artist to learn about, but they had to find a piece of art to recreate at home.  Below are the entries.  If you are interested in seeing the entire McLaughlin presentation, be sure to click on the link below.

McLaughlin's Recreate Art at Home

Betsy recreated Gustave Caillbotte's painting "The Floor Painters" - 1876.  Edy, Jeff, and Will posed for this photo.

Edy recreated Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Sower at Sunset" - 1888.  She did this using food.

Will recreated a famous photo taken of Charles de Gaulle walking down
the Champs-Elysee, upon the liberation of Paris, on August 26, 1944.
He used his army men to recreate this photo.  

Aunt Judy recreated this painting, that hangs in their Washington home, by
Thomas Sully called "Robert Hare" - 1827.  She got Uncle Bob to pose for her.  

Aunt Judy also recreated this famous Andrew Wyeth painting, "Christina's World" - 1948. She posed for this photo.

My niece recreated Paul Signac's "The Papal Palace, Avignon" - 1900.
She did this using icing on cardboard, with a gold ribbon frame.  

My nephew recreated Caravaggio's "Bacchus" - 1596.  He posed for his own photo.

We had so much fun doing this, that we encouraged our friends here in France to do it as well.  Great job Yann, Hortence, Elle, and Paul Gontier!  Here are their photos:

That about wraps up my recap of our fourth week in lockdown.  Like many of you, we are settling nicely into our daily routine.  We are finding the days are going faster.  At times, this is hard to believe with so little to do. We continue to think about how we will take this slower pace back home with us.  What can we give up, to maintain this strong family connection, once we are back in the United States. Because, like many of you, we do way too much.

Finally, I will close with some photos from the week.

Even in lockdown, there are some amazing sibling moments.

Will channeling the Edge from U2.

A beautiful sunset.  

Off to the grocery store.

I love how the strawberries arrive in Paris. 

Getting my run in before 10:00 am.

Our afternoon walk.

A highlight of the week was being the Special Guest asked to introduce the Ring the Bell workout.  

Just a few signs indicating that small businesses and cafes are closed.  This one just says, "Sorry!"

The sirens are getting fewer and fewer each day.

One joy, of this time together, is the morning snuggles. 

Another joy, I received my new Brooks Ghost 12 shoes
 from Great Britain!  It only took 3 weeks!

Stay healthy everyone!
Betsy