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The strangest picnic

How do you keep the most social of children happy in a situation that warrants isolation?

I think it's a challenge that many of us parents will struggle with over the coming weeks or months.

For me, it's a matter of trying to reinvent the activities that they are accustomed to, maintaining a sense of familiarity, but working within new restraints. It's making the very best of a strange situation.

Today's "boredom buster" was an idea I threw in the bucket - a country drive and a car picnic.  It only took an hour, but it was the perfect activity to break up our day and was easy enough to incorporate into hubby's work schedule.

We drove down to some nature trails along the Ottawa River, parked the car in front of a turtle pond, opened the tailgate, and  piled into the trunk for lunch. I have to admit, it was a bit chillier than planned, but the kids were thrilled when hubby closed the trunk on the kids and I to warm us up as we ate. Who knew being sealed in a trunk could be so fun? Sometimes, kids are enthralled by the simplest of things.

After a chilly but lovely lunch, we stretched our legs by the water then headed home to decorate for St. Patrick's Day, make Irish soda bread, and get our leprechaun trap ready.  Even the Corona virus can't keep us down on St. Paddy's Day. Maeve was concerned that "Seamus" (yes, our leprechaun has  a name) might be too scared to travel this year, so we made extra sure to set up LOTS of decorations to attract him.

Dinner was wonderful - BBQ steak, roast potatoes and Greek salad. I'm so glad we decided to replace our broken BBQ a few weeks ago before things got crazy.  I have a feeling it will be coming in handy.

After dinner we went on our second night of family walks. Again, there was barely a soul around. We only saw one other family walking their dog and, on the approach, we laughingly each picked a side of the road to safely pass on - calling out greetings as we went.

I suppose there's a few good things about this situation. People are more inclined to say "hi" or smile at one another, as we're all going through this and just trying to make the most of the epic shit-show going on around us.

Stay strong folks, stay positive, keep safe, and may your own leprechauns share a bit of joy with you tomorrow.

Trunk lunch rating - A+


A nice view to calm our minds




Stuck in the trunk



Happy kids, happy heart





The trap is set


Decorated, and ready to celebrate






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