Last Monday morning, 9:30 AM, I heard someone trying the lock on the front door.

At first, I was startled. What – or who – was trying to break in? While we don’t own anything of monetary value, I do keep a hoard of dark chocolate orange sticks that would be of value to anyone desperate for a sugar fix. As the doorknob jostled, my fear turned to solemn resignation. All the nights I had stayed up obsessing over defense strategies against inevitable psycho killers had prepared me for this.

Before arming myself or hiding the boys to safety, I swung open the door to confront the serial killer head on. My hand was at the ready to slap sense into the killer’s / sugar addict’s face.

To my actual, literal surprise, a Taylor was standing at the door. He became equally surprised at my reaction, but was clearly in a rush. He had abandoned his math students to bring home our daughter, now in covid exposure quarantine.

Behind him came in a beaming 6 year old, pleased to not only be home in quarantine (and thus miss school for a week), but to be in quarantine the week before Winter Break (and thus miss school for three weeks).

Honestly, I was happy to have her home too. We did a happy dance together and sent Taylor back to relieve the principal from teaching his math class. Subsequently, Arrow spent the remainder of her week with parents alternating from work. She baked muffins with Mom, painted her brothers’ faces with nail polish, did her kindergarten math homework, and definitely did not zoom in for class.

Someone out there, but definitely not you: But wait, skipping class for a week is is going to reflect on her education! She can’t miss school!

Me: Her parents are literally schoolteachers. She’ll be fine. Also, it’s kindergarten.

I do worry about the exposure. Not about Arrow contracting COVID, mind you. From what I understand, Arrow was within 6 feet of a positive yet unidentified case for more than 15 minutes. Our school has been vigilant about following the health guidelines, and everyone is masked at all times. While I’m watching for any symptoms to develop, I’m not surprised that there hasn’t been any.

No, what is worrisome is that the small ones are getting the disease. What seemed like an adult’s problem, became a teenager’s problem, and now a small child’s problem. And I hope, so much, that this doesn’t become an infant’s problem.

Parenting a quarantined child hasn’t been too bad. We mask up, sanitize, and call in for a sub if we have a fever or cold symptoms. And have been kicking it at home together for the most part.

Arrow has focused much of her attention on new creations of art. This is Taylor’s and my favorite one so far:

This nativity one that Taylor did with her was a pretty good one, too.

I tried a new movie with the kids to pass the time, but it didn’t go over well. (Klaus on Netflix: not recommended. The ending was pretty cute. But the beginning was dark and surprisingly violent for a children’s show. Maybe I totally misunderstood and didn’t realize that it’s NOT supposed to be a kids’ show? Either way, it left a funny feeling in my stomach. Which is weird considering all the true murder podcasts I eat up.)

Anyway, Arrow is doing well over here. Bored, happy to be home, and is stoked for quarantine freedom.