Madd Max Goes Sconing

Jess enjoyed eating and making the scone recipe from Aunt Tara so much that she decided to made sense to socially distance share them.  Plus, she misses people.

They caught Elizabeth, Marissa, Caroline and Lilly on a walk.

And did a drop at the Findley's.

Slappy Cracks Jess Up

Tonight during dinner, Maddie had a piano lesson.  When she was able to join, this plate was waiting for her.  She had two things to say.  

"Did you guys grill bananas?"

"Alright, how about you walk me thru this dinner."

(To be clear, the above is scallops, which do bear a resemblance to grilled bananas, butternut squash puree and sautéed snow peas).

Madd Max Does More (And Now Less) Secret Reading

Max enjoyed the reading as much as Bryson and Iris, and requested it to be a bi-weekly thing.  His goal is to read them all of the Elephant and Piggy books he has.

His audience.

Slappy Has A Playdate

Once a month, Maddie, Ellie and Elizabeth go to Art Night at a studio where they have pizza and oranges, and do an Art Project together.  After that shut down, Aarin ordered the art kits that would have been used on that night.

And Art Night was remotely had.  They loved it.

Madd Max Sees More Effects From Quarantine

When Jess headed out on the first weekend of Stay at Home, there was no bread available except for these 2" x 1" rolls.  So she grabbed them even though she had never had a use for them before.  And now here they are.

Plus, another drive-by by Morgan and Jaymi.

Madd Max Gets TP'd

As Steve put it - COVID style.  After hearing that the Kender-Page were down to their last 2 rolls and flour-less, the Leonhardts did another drive-by.

It's beautiful.

And ended up as these - chocolate chip scones, recipe from Aunt Tara. 

Madd Max Notices Some Differences

The social distancing lines to get into the grocery store.

A Happy Hour Zoom.

And Aarin and Drew getting as close to a kiss as they can, given the fact that Aarin isn't feeling great.

The Scrapper Has A Mia Playdate

Some virtual Connect 4.

The Scrapper Plays RISK

On another virtual playdate with Ellie and Elizabeth.

Madd Max Takes More Walks

Jess has been heading out around 8pm for a walk and a podcast to get some calm.  This has shown her new things in the neighborhood, like this house that takes their pink flamingos very seriously.  (Note: the rebar legs cemented into the ground).

The Scrapper Gets A Parade

The teachers from the Thomas Edison Elementary decided that they missed their students and during this week of Spring Break got together to do a car parade.

Their goal was to drive by the house of every kid in the school.  So cool.  Jess cried.

Madd Max Are The Secret Reader

Before quarantine, Jess' cousin Kristin was inviting Secret Readers to Iris' school to read books to the class.  She decided to continue the experience at home, and asked the family to join in.

Max choose the first books he learned to read on - the Gerald and Piggy series.  It was a success.

The Scrapper Cooks

Sam and Jess have been having the kids help with dinner every night, now that there's time.  Max is really digging it.  Madd is more meh about the whole thing.

Madd Max Goes Biking

Jess found working from home made her feel like her legs were atrophying.  A night bike/walk was needed.

Max loved the empty parking lot part of it, and even asked to stay out longer.

Madd Max Gets A Drop

Morgan and Jaymi had planned to give gifts to all the little kids who were attending their Vegas wedding.  So as not to become irrelevant or ill-fitting in a year, they did a distance drop off.

Madd Max Has A New Office

Jess worked at home for 2 weeks before being put on an indefinite work stoppage.  The above is an Art Department meeting where not all participants even pretended to be paying attention.

Madd Max Makes COVID Lemonade

Flour, sugar and TP have been the hardest things to get in SoCal.  The kids had a bunch of lemons from Taisie's tree and prepped some lemonade.  When they had the lemon juice and the water ready to go, Jess stopped them after realizing that they would use the last of the precious sugar.  Then using some quarantine ingenuity, she gave them miracle berries  and surprisingly, all was not lost.

Slappy Gets Some Birthday Love

First some Poquito Mas for lunch.

Pick up with appropriate social distancing.

A mint chocolate chip and vanilla cake from Baskin Robbins.

Birthday singing by Ellie, Elizabeth and Taisie via iPad.  (Max set up the appearance by her besties as a surprise for his sister).

In person, drive by appearance by the Leonhardts!

Next, Taisie's backyard for some more present opening.

Happy 12.

Slappy Turns 12!

On the morning of her first day of true tweenhood, Max laid out her presents as Maddie prefers to open them - from smallest to largest.

Per her request, Sam made crepes for breakfast.

Yum.

This was Max's concoction - scrambled eggs, nutella and whipped cream.  He has made it before, but apparently his palate has matured as he said it was not fantastic as previously imagined.

Present opening.

Followed by a Kender Coffee Skype call, where various Kenders brought out different versions of cake and candles and sung to Madd.

Madd Max Attend Morgan And Jaymi's Wedding

All dressed up!

Originally the wedding was planned for Vegas.  Due to COVID, the location changed to Living Room.  Avery began the ceremony with glitter confetti.

The brides walk down the aisle of sorts.

Committing to both be a wife and a bonus mom.

They're married!!!

Cheers.

Followed by celebratory cake cutting.

And photos with the brides.

It was our first zoom wedding, along with 2 more pages just like this one of family and friends, who came to their screens to celebrate this union that was happening no matter what.  Yay, love!

Madd Max Wedding Prep

A little wedding cake baking.

A social distancing drop off of the cake.

See!