Fun in the Chaos
Dueling at a Distance
Courtney Croatt (Communications Specialist/JO) reports that the Dueling Pianos of Andy Anderson and Mike Leeds made their way through the Croatts' town of Slater last Saturday night to provide musical entertainment since the town's annual Firemen's Dance was canceled due to the coronavirus. Andy and Mike have been doing traveling shows in area communities to provide some "fun in the chaos" of social distancing. Several golf carts followed the trailer around town and listened to their two-hour set and $1,700 was also raised for the local food bank.
Hopscotch Learning!
Heather Nadeau (Speech-Language Pathologist/JO) put together a fun suggestion from the Urbandale Schools' preschool teachers and drew hopscotch boards for her 4-year-old son, Otis. He practiced repetition for learning by identifying the letters and numbers while hopping around outside! What 4-year-old wouldn't enjoy this activity?!
Graduation Graffiti!
If nothing else, 2020 has certainly forced us to find our creative sides as normal celebrations have been put on hold due to social distancing requirements.
Kyra Wilcox-Conley (Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant/AD) and her daughter, 2020 grad, Logan, worked together to paint the side of their shed with graffiti art to celebrate Logan's graduation. Congratulations, Logan!
Lisa's Laughs: Quarantine Edition
Lisa Naig (Early Childhood Special Education Consultant/AM) has been spending time during quarantine making videos to share with family and friends doing things like reading passages from books, singing, dancing and giving comedic feedback on her daily experiences.
Here's what she had to say about a new tool that "looked so easy in the video."
Des Moines Mural Tour
Janelle Thompson (Curriculum Consultant-Reading/JO) and her husband took a tour of all the Des Moines murals after reading about them in the Des Moines Register and found some others, not listed, along the way. Here's a link to their day of fun!
Challenge Accepted!
Julie McGinnis (Special Education Consultant/IN) humored her daughter by accepting her request to walk a marathon for a Tik Tok social media challenge. Just over eight and a half hours later, the challenge was met! Way to make a day of fresh air, family, fitness and fun!!
Father and Son Duo
Robert Barleen (Data System Support Consultant/JO) and his son have been providing entertainment to neighbors and friends by playing music shows on their front porch and live streaming on social media. Here's a feel good tune for you!
Meal Making with Mary Mo!
Mary Montgomery (Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant/KN) adds spice to her weekends by making cooking videos to share with her family and friends. Check out the videos and even try making a dish yourself with the recipes below.
Drake Road Races Cancelled? No Problem!
Kaylynne Christenson (Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant/AM) was registered for the annual Drake Road Races 10K run, but as with everything else, it was cancelled. So instead, Kaylynne and a couple friends still laced up their tennies and did a 10K on their own (while staying a safe distance apart of course)!
Fun and Productive Homeschool Lessons
Angela Bosworth-Cowman (Data System Support Specialist/JO) and her family have explored a wide range of homeschool lessons. Who said learning can't be fun AND productive?!
Lessons in Agriculture: Yardwork
Lessons in Agriculture: Planting
Lessons in Textiles & Community Service: Sewing masks to donate
Recess & Snack Time: S'mores of course!
Chalk Walk!
We want to hear from YOU! How are you and your family making things fun and staying connected in the midst of all the chaos? Send us your photos to share with our colleagues!
Here, Britini (Human Resources Assistant/JO) and Marquis (Technology Support Specialist/JO) Jones and their family participated in a neighborhood activity where families decorated their front sidewalks for others to see. Neighbors could walk the neighborhood at their own leisure admiring the artwork while getting some fresh air. Way to mix fun with some exercise!
Painted Glass and Silly Food
We want to hear from YOU! How are you and your family making things fun and staying connected in the midst of all the chaos? Send us your photos to share with our colleagues!
Here, Jill Neas (Early Childhood Special Education Consultant/JO), and her family painted their front door to look like a stained glass window. So creative!
The Neas family also has a tradition of having a "silly food meal" on April Fool's Day. This year's delicacy consisted of chicken legs (Rice Krispie treats with a pretzel bone), corn on the cob (Twinkies with jelly beans) and baked beans (butterscotch pudding with Sugar Babies for the beans) and ice cream sundaes (mashed potatoes, with a beef slice cookie, gravy and cherry tomato) for dessert. Thanks, Jill, for sharing your fun!
Rainbow Hearts
Here, Vicki Sanders (School Social Worker/AD), decorated her front door to put a smile on her neighbors' faces. Who wouldn't smile at rainbow hearts?!