COVID-19 Lockdown - Week Two

I've had some very positive feedback from my first blog entry including lots of messages from people telling me that this inspired them to get their own cameras out. Great! That's brilliant. I feel strongly that we have a responsibility to tell our own stories as I mentioned in my previous entry. I'm looking forward to seeing some photography from other families.

It's also been a very healthy self reflective exercise. There is no greater joy than looking through lots of photographs of the things that I hold closest and the people that bring me joy in my life. At a time like this, this is what we all need. An event like this really emphasises what is most important in life. Is it money? No. Is it fame? No. Is it bragging rights? No. It's good health, the safety of a home and people that mean the world to us.

Anyway, here is my second week of lockdown.

Day Eight.

Two days ago, I introduced Eden, my eldest boy (7), to Marvel films. We watched Iron Man and he LOVED it (yes!). The next day, we watched Iron Man 2 and we've since decided to watch all the Marvel films in order over 22 days. Yes, I know, they're mostly rated as 12's, but he seems totally fine watching them and it's my call. Besides, he's already watched all of the Harry Potter films and they're all 12 or 12a. Anyway, Eden naturally now loves Iron Man, so I drew a crude outline of him this morning for him to colour in an 'weaponise'. Zephyr (4) wanted to draw Captain America's shield so he was kept well entertained also. Ivor (0) lay on the floor next to us looking cute and making funny noises.

I then spent the next couple of hours undertaking various DIY related jobs allocated to me, I didn't get a chance to photograph much during this time, but here's a photograph of Dannielle patiently waiting for me to 'get cracking'.

When the tinkering with rabbit hutches and creation of a 'boys' den' in our garden was completed (for now), we allowed Eden some, much covered 'Playstation time'. I'm secretly pretty chuffed that he's got into Sonic the Hedgehog recently, as it's something that I loved at his age and that kind of thing is always a heart melter for us blokes. Plus, I got to play it a little... so that I could 'show him how it works'. Ha.

Next up, bath time. The kids love bath time and it's never really a chore. It's actually quite a nice part of the routine. Ivor is starting to appreciate this too, taking his opportunity to flex his leg muscles and have a good splash. I mean, come on, just look at that face...

I did notice however that during this, there were some normal, but seemingly more significant sights in our bathroom. Dannielle had been busy this morning deep cleaning our bathroom and bedrooms whilst we were colouring. This isn't something out of the ordinary as Dannielle is a total super star for keeping our home ship shape day in and day out, it just seemed more significant in the greater scheme of things right now and it's times like this where we can all learn to really be grateful of these chores.

Post bath time stories was next up on the agenda and although Zephyr was playing up and resisting the idea of going to sleep anytime soon, my patience levels seemed increased and I cherished the utter cheekiness of him, he's a stubborn little critter but I wouldn't change a thing about him. I think my photograph of him sums this up well.

Day Nine

Dannielle spent the morning with Eden creating a clock face as part of Eden's 'home learning' work set by the school. Eden really enjoyed making this and seemed to get a good understanding of how it all works. He can tell the time digitally very well but he has never really learned how to read an analog clock. Since doing this exercise, he's rummaged out his Lego watch and worn it pretty much constantly, even in bed!

We then had a bit of 'TV time' as I had to go to our local post office and post a couple of items and deposit some cash we had into our ever decreasing bank account.

Helston was strange. Although it initially looked busy because there were many cars parked up on the sides of the high street, it quickly became apparent that there were no people around. The cars, I figured, must belong to people living above the shops or workers still playing their part in our community.

When I got back (after thoroughly washing my hands) we watched the next Marvel film, 'Thor'. Both the older boys loved this and I think myself and Dannielle both took some grace in the fleeting moments of quiet. There was also some pretty good snuggling going on...

After the boys were asleep, I was due to undertake our next weekly shop at the local Tesco.