Life In Lockdown at ESLT HQ – Week 5

Week 5 and does anyone else wish Rona would go away now, please? As the UK hit the 20,000 death figure it hit home how devastating it is. People have lost grandparents, parents, siblings, children, work colleagues and friends and the unfortunate truth is, even though we are over the peak, this is going to continue for some time. People are calling for the end of lockdown and I get it, I really do. After 5 weeks at home (albeit two different homes), I too am eager to see more than just the same four walls, day in day out, but not at the cost of other people’s or even my own life. It will be a slow process and one that cannot start too quickly. We do not want a second wave as strong as the first otherwise we will be back in the same predicament we have all seen ourselves in for the past 5 weeks. Life will not return to normal for a long time, therefore this week I am feeling grateful. Grateful for the sanctity of my four walls, my family and friends, food in the cupboards, job security and most importantly health.

Settling In

We have officially been in our new house for a week and a half, yet it feels completely like home. Yes, there are still a few cardboard boxes to unpack, pictures to hang on the walls and things that we just cannot do because of lockdown. This includes going shopping for house plants (which is something I am desperate to do). But apart from that, we’re getting there. The downstairs is for the most part, done. Apart from our new sofas which are currently sat in DFS’ warehouse. We cannot wait for the delivery once restrictions are lifted. The kids love their playroom, even though they haul everything into the living room and play with it there.

Upstairs is a different matter completely. The girl’s bedroom is complete (barring putting the curtains up, which we are waiting until the walls dry out a bit more to do). They have opted to share as they did at our previous house. It’s fine by us though. It means I can have bedroom four as my office and we still have a spare bedroom for when people can come to visit us again. Even though we have only moved 20 minutes down the road from where we used to live, it feels surreal. I think that’s because we have not ventured past the top of the street. Therefore, we are all looking forward to seeing what our new town has to offer. Plus the kids are chomping at the bit for the playground on our development to be open.

Although that may change when the swing, slide and seesaw set we have bought them for Gotcha Day at the beginning of June is built. It will mark a year to the day the girls came to live with us. I can’t wait to see their little faces.

Garden Time

Talking of the garden we are loving having one bigger than a postage stamp. We have also been lucky enough to have a week of nice weather. Although for the next week it looks like it is going to rain every day. We have had picnics, played football and even bought a hammock to hang in the trees (when we get the time of course). The turf was laid at the beginning of January and because of lockdown, our housebuilder was unable to find a gardener to cut it before us moving in. Therefore it was quite wild meaning a lawnmower was near the top of our must-buy list when we moved in. Luckily we were able to get one quite quickly. So Mr ESLT spent Sunday afternoon before the rain came cutting (and surprisingly enjoying) it.

It has made us appreciate having an outside space as we know a lot of people, especially in the major cities around the world do not. This must be extremely tough, especially with little ones. As we are only allowed out for 1 hour a day, it’s great not only for the kids but for us too. It is one of, if not, the most important reason why we pushed ahead with moving house during the lockdown. Because in reality, we do not know how long this will go on for.

Entertaining The Kids

Because of the nice weather and the fact we now have a reasonable size garden, the kids have sort of been entertaining themselves. We have a table and chairs set up and enough craft kits to keep a toyshop in business. Between PlayDoh, kinetic sand and aqua foam they have had a great time making models and of course a mess. Add into the mix colouring books and crayons and ESLT HQ has become a hive of artistic masterpieces. Homeschooling has taken on a more easy-going vibe and we are trying to adopt a fully learn through play approach. The kids seem to be fully on board with it and it has meant fewer meltdowns and more engagement.

We aim to continue this in the hope something sticks. Having spoken with friends it seems that everyone is in the same boat when it comes to homeschooling – it’s hard work and we all simply have to do what we can while the schools remain closed.

What We’ve Been Watching

We finally have wifi (Hallelujah) and more time on our hands which means normal TV viewing has been resumed. The only issue we have now is the mature trees at the back of our garden which during the summer months when they are full and bushy could affect the Sky signal – awesome! At the moment we are ok but we are in contact with Sky in the hope we can sort it out. So what have we been watching this week:

• Gangs of London (Sky) – Binge watching
• The Mandalorian (Disney+) – Mr ESLT
• Start Up, Series 3 (Amazon Prime)

On the list to watch:

• Race Across The World, Series 1 & 2 (BBC)
• Too Hot To Handle (NetFlix)

Anything else we should add to our list?

Counting Down The Days

The day I have been dreading is fast approaching. The day I have to go back to work. I enjoy my job which is always a bonus but I enjoy spending time with my family more. Although I am craving adult interaction and something to stimulate my brain (obviously I get that from Mr ESLT but not all day, every day like I do in a work environment) therefore am looking forward to returning in equal measure.

However, I do feel robbed. For the past 5 weeks and more than likely, the next 4 before I am due back, lockdown will still be in place. Therefore, I have not been able to do things or take the kids places I would have liked to before returning to work full time. Yes, we have had family time at home, but it’s not the same. No trips to the beach, no soft play centres, visits to grandma and grandpa and no trips to Nanna and grandad. It is time I will never get back and that upsets me. But as with most things during this pandemic – it is what it is.

We will certainly make up for it during weekends and holidays when things return to normal.

How Are You Doing?

We hope you are ok and managing to stay optimistic in these unprecedented times. If you are struggling or need anything, perhaps you are vulnerable, self-isolating or even shielding, then contact your local council who should have a hub of volunteers set up who should be able to help.

If you are able and feel comfortable, perhaps check on your neighbours, especially if you think that they could be struggling.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

Stay Strong!