Today started like a regular workday, in social distancing land. It was a beautiful day, though, which made it really hard for the kids to stay indoors.

In a brief break between meetings, we spent a little time outdoors. It wasn’t quite warm yet, but way warmer than the last few days. The kids laughed and screamed and ran and jumped. Then I had to go back in for another meeting.

They promised to “work” on their iPads, the older with some school stuffs, the younger with games and videos. About half-way through the next hour, they decided they’d been inside long enough. Demands for early snacks, and then demands for more yard play.

”Stay inside the fence; don’t let the dogs dig holes,” were the only directions. It didn’t take. Neither one.

The little little decided he wanted to be free, and busted his bike out of the garage. He’s just tall enough to hit the opener button, we’ve now discovered. The bigger little came in to tell us about it, after a few minutes. The wife went out one door, and I another, and somewhere near the end of the block he ended up between us.

I told the kids they could ride up and down the sidewalk, and if they were careful (on our normally idle street, now more so with isolation) they could cross the street at the corner on one end and the alley near the other, and go up one side and down the other. I took my tablet outside and did a meeting from there.

It didn’t take long until they decided the sidewalks weren’t long enough, or wide enough, or bumpy enough, or whatever. Then they started racing down the middle of the street, and riding back up (the ever so slight hill) on the sidewalk. The meeting ended, and I got up to watch them.

Then the neighbors came out to also enjoy the sun and walk with their granddaughter on her bike. Again, we like these neighbors, and would normally let the kids play together with either of us watching, with little concern. But virus, and social distancing.

It worked out for a while that they rode their bikes “together,” with my older kids lapping their slower, slightly younger one. Still on those laps, there were stops and engagement. I’d cautioned the bigger little to keep some space, and they managed to do so by staying on their bikes. But there were still affectionate pats on the head and high-fives.

We brought the kids in for lunch and a nap. After the nap, more bike riding was demanded. After the next meeting, was promised, again, waiting was too hard.

The kids ended up riding around the houses, through the alley, which makes an “L” shape through our block. One end opens to the sidewalk, the other doesn’t have a sidewalk, so they shoot out of the end of it, at the bottom of the hill, into the street. All was well, but they’re not supposed to do that. Once the neighbor’s kiddo woke from her nap, she joined the fun, and bike mobbing started.

At wits end, I called the kids in for afternoon snacks, and my last bunch of meetings. Kindly neighbor says “promised the kids a sucker, if that’s OK.” How to say “no, because virus,” and she offered to just run in and grab some. Whatever, I guess. But then, the kids followed into her back yard (grr), and there were grandkid’s parents, swinging with the other one in the backyard gym. And mine joined in. Grr! They got their treat, came home, stepping in dog poo that’s in the wrong place...

We had a the chat about how to avoid the hated Coronavirus, which made my daughter hate it even more.

Afternoon meeting concluded, with me having to admit I couldn’t finish my tasks for the day because of kids. Later or tomorrow, I guess. Everyone’s got to be flexible.

We ate dinner, and everyone went outside while the kids jaunted around the street (orbiting on the sidewalks) for about a half-hour straight. Then bedtime, which was only a little struggle because stopping fun is never easy. But then almost immediate crash!

Watched a little television. Turning in early.

Everyone’s healthy. Reset counter to one, I guess.