Corona Diaries, Week 4

Week 4 has come and gone. We had not pictured this diary lasting this long, yet it goes on.  There are definitely times we feel like it is getting to us, but we are finding ways to have fun too.  Tianhong has done a fabulous job keeping us well stocked and well fed.

Quote of the week:  "I hate social distancing!"  yelled in frustration by Jackson as we reminded him once again to give people space on the sidewalk.

A visit to Flagpole Hill is always welcome

We went camping!

Digging fossils. This week's favorite topic is dinosaur hunt

 

Daddy had a haircut

 Will and I used the kids sleeping time in the long weekend to make a computer desk. Total cost was zero $ and total trip to Home Depot/Lowe's was zero. We used the scrap wood from our old fence posts and turned into table legs. Will's old unused coffee table is now a handsome desk! We have one more work area that is essential for our work condition.

Forest Trail gets resurfaced

Art work

Lunch doodle with Mo

Backyard egg hunt was a huge hit

Kids already requested a July 4th backyard parade.

More artwork

Off-road biking is super fun!

Corona Diaries, Week 3

Nerf gun warriors

Quote of the week:  "Cock my gun or I'll throw it in your face!"  Norah, who can't cock her Nerf gun, to her teammate Jackson in the heat of battle.  I think it is fair to say we were all a bit on edge in week 3.

In an attempt to avoid crowds around flag-pole hill, the bicyclists headed off-road...

Mud makes it better...tuck that tongue in, Jackson!

When the trails got too muddy, the kids got creative with the wood pile

It's amazing what is comfortable to a 4 year old

The school work ramped-up this week

Jackson built a contemplative robot

Jackson and Tianhong built a chess set out of Play-doh

Coach Jackson getting Norah in on the chess-action

On rainy days, this inflatable pool (sans water) provided hours of indoor entertainment

Norah taking her baby for a stroll and showing off her Spiderwoman gloves

Will cleaned-out the AC units...

Daddy was teaching Norah how to write letters

We had fun with Google 3D. They loved being stepped on by a lion

The finished chess set

Every Sunday, our neighborhood has a birthday parade. This Sunday, it passed our house. There were more than 60 cars all dressed up with balloons and signs. There was an Easter bunny too.  Two kids enjoyed watching them from our window. 

Corona Diaries, Week 2

The novelty of "shelter-in-place" had worn off by this week, but we found some new activities to add variety to our routine.

FaceTime with friends and family help keep us connected.  Both kids can video chat with their same-age friends, as well as adults.

Just before the shelter-in-place, a neighbor taught Jackson "speed stacks".  They had purpose-built cups, but disposable plastic cups in our pantry work almost as well.

Norah learned to use a mouse...

Barbara gave the kids lessons on some of their favorite animals, and recommended live videos from the Texas State Aquarium, which have been a big hit with both kids.  The series ends this week with the highly anticipated "Sharks and Rays" episode.

We borrowed the concept of "Centers" from school.  We initially had a laundry list, but the same couple were always chosen.  So we grouped them and rotate which center it is.  Here Norah is enjoying the Jeep tracks in the "building" center.

Going biking is now the highlight of both kids' day.  Norah is progressing rapidly, and Jackson learned to stand on his pedals.

 

The biking wasn't without its scrapes and bruises, but both kids have done a great job getting right back in the saddle.

Tianhong and the kids decorated cookies as a fun Saturday morning activity.

The JCC has a fundraiser that sends challah home with the kids every Friday.  We've grown quite fond of the tradition.  With none available at the stores, Tianhong made her own loaves.  Delicious!

Will even escaped to the garage for a couple hours of much needed alone-time :-)

Norah rides a bike!

On Thursday, March 19, 2020, Norah rode her bike by herself for the first time.  We had practiced a bit in the fall, but the activity had fallen out of favor over the winter.  On Thursday, we practiced with me offering back-up via an old karate belt wrapped under her arms.  A neighbor's suggestion, this is much easier on my back than holding her, and it makes her more responsible for balance too.  

After a couple laps up & down our street this way, she told me she wanted to try it herself.  We pointed her bike down a gentle slope and she was off!

Biking is currently her favorite activity!

Corona Diaries, Week 1

We're slowly settling into life under the Covid-19 restrictions. The weekend started out normal enough.  We weeded the dead space behind the garage.  The kids were great helpers and earned a $1 each for their troubles.

Before the school shutdown, Jackson was really into trading Pokemon cards with the kids in his after-school program and our neighbors.  He eventually asked me if I had Pokemon cards when I was a kid.  I responded "No, but I had something similar called baseball cards.".  I still have 1,000's of them in a box.  Who knew those cards would buy several hours of entertainment for Jackson and Norah!  At one point I could hear Jackson reading interesting facts off the cards to Norah...

The weather has cooperated with decent temperatures, but also a lot of rain.  Muddy spots in the backyard were good for another hour of fun!

On Monday, we started the serious business of education, with our digital guides, of course.

Jackson's chess club was on the ball and managed to arrange an online chess class and tournament on Tuesday.  Jackson fought valiantly, but it was tough going in the K-6 group for him.  The platform ranks you as you play, so hopefully future tournaments will be more balanced for him.  The club intend to hold them once a week.  They reported about 450 kids participated from around the country.

Norah got creative using rolled-up paper and scotch tape as construction materials.  Her "airplane" is now about 4 sq. feet and the envy of her brother.

With all the rain, exercise time moved indoors some days.  I don't know which video this was, but we enjoyed Yoga with Cosmic Kids and the story of "Squish the fish" another day.

The "Pants on Fire" podcast is now our go-to podcast companion during afternoon snack time.

Thursday we broke out the bikes and Norah rode on her own for the first time.  Friday morning she woke up asking to go biking, but the rain had other ideas.  She finally got her wish after dinner, and was tearing down the hill at the end of our street.  There have been lots of kids on bikes around the neighborhood this week.

Our saving grace, the daily schedule on a whiteboard.  We started on Monday, and it worked so well that we decided to keep it going on the weekends.  One day after lunch, Jackson walked over to the board, read the words "Clean-up" and started cleaning up without a word of parental input.  That's what I call magic!  😃

So long, Subie

With heavy hearts (or at least mine), we bid adieu to Subie this week. 

The buyer appears to be an enthusiast with the skill and time to get her back to tip-top shape.  He flew in from Delaware and will road trip her back home, which reminded me of the trip with Dad to  Los Angeles to buy her almost 14 years ago.

The seller noted an oil leak, possibly RMS, and a leaking CV boot upon inspection, which made parting a bit easier. ;-)

Payment was a cashier's check (final sale $5500), which worked out OK, but I was not able to verify it prior to the transaction.   I decided to risk it, but for larger transactions, I would like to find a better way.

For my own reference, here's the link and text to the for sale post.
https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/texas-dallas-2005-legacy-gt-limited-5mt-wagon-p5949201.html

Year, Make and Model: 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited Wagon
Color: Brilliant Silver Metallic
Miles: 106,056
Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission
Title: Clear
Lien: No liens
Location: Dallas, TX
VIN: 4S3BP676056358947
Asking Price: $6000

My wife thought I was joking when I said this would be our son's first car (he's 6 now), but I wasn't. However, life has taken my automotive needs in other directions, and I've accepted (maybe) that it's time for this one to go.

Let me know if you are interested in the car and have any questions.

Factory Options:

• Short shifter
• Cargo mat and all-weather floor mats
• Wheel locks
• Subwoofer
• Armrest extension
• Upgraded alarm
• Day/Night compass mirror
• Chrome insert rocker moldings

Upgrades - Suspension

• JDM Bilstein GT struts
• STI Pink springs
• Whiteline Swaybars (F+R)
• Spec-B style front control arms by Mevotech (05/2017)
• Rallitek front adjustable end-links

Upgrades - Engine

• Cobb catted downpipe
• STI catless uppipe
• Custom Y pipe with stock mufflers
• Dual 2.5" slash cut stainless exhaust tips
• ECUTek reflash and dyno tune by Harman Motive (dyno'ed at 253whp/278tq)

Upgrades - Exterior

• STI BBS forged wheels
• Hella Supertone hornS
• PIAA Yellow fog light bulbs
• Phillips 4600K HID headlights
• JDM Rear LED foglight  (one side)
• Rear hitch

Upgrades - Interior

• Cobb Delrin shift knob
• Formula One Pinnacle Ceramic Tint (20% all 7 windows)
• WRX/STI aluminum pedals and matching dead pedal (the ones with the black nubs)

Key maintenance and repairs completed:

• Replaced timing belt and water pump service (07/18/2015 at 90,184mi)
• Replaced passenger side cylinder cover gasket (07/18/2015 at 90,184mi)
• Removed AVCS screens, preventative (07/18/2015 at 90,184mi)
• Replaced radiator with new Koyorad radiator (05/2017)
• Installed new dashboard (06/19/2017 at 98,358mi)
• Replaced worn rear control arms (11/08/2017 at 99,080miles)
• Replaced rear wheel bearings (05/2018)
• Performed oil change (always full synthetic) on 09/03/2019 at 104,054 miles, also replaced air filter
• Complete service records from original purchase provided at sale

Existing mechanical issues:

• Clutch slips under hard acceleration in 4th and 5th gear
• Sunroof gets stuck in the open position if opened
• Front suspension clunks, possibly end-links
• Recent recall notification for passenger-side airbag (2nd replacement)

Cosmetic issues:

• Damage and very-old clear bra on front bumper
• Damage on rear bumper
• Large, shallow dent in driver-side rear door
• Paint peeling/bubbling on hood scoop
• Chrome surround on front grill lifting
• Chips on all wheels, curb rash on one wheel
• Assorted minor chips and scratches befitting 15 year old/100k car
• Small bubbles in interior tint
• Plastic degrading on handle surrounds front driver and passenger side, replacement parts included

Tires:

• 2x Cooper Zeon RS3-A installed 05/27/2015 at 89,065 miles
• 2x Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 installed 03/20/2018 at 100,347 miles

Ownership history:

• Purchased new in Southern California on Feb. 14, 2005 where it resided until
• Purchased by me on 08/2006 at ~24,400mi and driven to Dallas, TX where it has resided since

Accident history:
The car has been in 4 very low speed collisions. Three of those damaged the rear bumper and the first two were repaired, while the damage from the third is documented in the photos. The other one caused minor damage to the front bumper, which was never repaired. The front bumper probably needs to be replaced anyways to deal with the ancient clear bra. I've toyed with the idea of putting a JDM front bumper, which is more compact and attractive, but never actually pulled the trigger.