3 Weeks In...

We are 3 weeks into our months long home-quarantine and it still seems unreal.  We hope all of our AoA families and friends are finding ways to cope, remain positive, and stay safe and healthy.  We miss each other!

We had Zoom meetings with the gang on Tuesday and Thursday.  We were proud that they worked on the "assignments" we gave them, and they seemed to enjoy sharing about their efforts.  While nothing is the same as being together in person, the Zoom meetings are uplifting for us.

In fact, this photo from our very first Zoom on March 26 "appeared" in today's (Saturday, April 4) edition of the Virginia Gazette!  Isn't it wonderful that the Arc of Greater Williamsburg is making use of available technology to keep on rolling?!

Here, Alexis and her friends "see" each other on Tuesday!

And here we are during Thursday's session!  Kate made it this week, but we missed Annmarie, Abraham, and Cameron.  It's ok if our friends aren't "into" meeting this way.  We understand it's not for everyone.  But we sure do miss their smiling faces!  We hope everyone can pop on, if just for a little while, next time.  We have a special celebration planned! (Tuesday, April 7 at 11:00...near lunch time! 😉)

We know all of you are finding things to do to pass the time.  We got these pictures from some of you this week.  Keep them coming, so Lisa can publish a blog each week.  This is a great way to record the "history" we are living in at the moment!  We welcome pics from ANY of our readers!  Show us what you're doing during the quarantine!

Xavier and his mom enjoyed a stroll in Freedom Park.  Wonder if they made it all the way to the bridge?  Xavier loves to walk that path!

What could Xavier be watching on his tablet, or is that a gaming device!?  Happy to see him smiling!  He looks happy to be enjoying a home-cooked meal, too!  Yum!

Kevin took a ride on his bicycle on a nice day.  At least it's Spring, and we can be outside more readily now!

When the weather wasn't as nice, Kevin rode the stationary bike.  That didn't last too long, we hear!  Don't blame you, Kevin.  It's more fun outside!

Kevin and his mom stopped by their church to drop off some things, and he sat quietly for a while.  We all miss being able to go about our routines, and it seems church might be at the top of Kevin's list.

His mom said he finally got around to working on a puzzle, too. Good job keeping busy, Kevin!

Here comes Pretty in Pink!!  Laura also got out on a beautiful day for a bike ride with her dad!

We all know Laura's mom, Lisa, is a retired teacher.  She sent us this really fun word search that accompanies the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.  We bet some of you remember this book, and may still have it at your home?  Download and enjoy this fun word search by clicking here!  You could also search for caterpillars on your walks, as Spring is when they begin to appear!  (Send us a picture if you spot one!)

We hear Patrick is really getting into puzzles during his quarantine.  That's awesome, Patrick!  It's a great way to pass the time.  We love that you are working on this United States puzzle, and wonder if you can find the 30 states we've studied so far?!  💡💡💡

Who recognizes this cute puppy?  It's Devin's new best buddy, Harry!  Nice smile, Harry!  We'd love a picture of you and Dev hanging out sometime, too!

Alexis likes to complete worksheets, and she got busy working on some of the animal ones after our Zoom session on Tuesday.  Way to go, Alexis!  This is a very good way to keep your skills sharp!

Alexis also helped Lisa make a yummy pot of slow cooker chicken chili this week!

We're pretty sure the highlight of Lexi's week was opening the mail and finding an autographed picture from Duke's Coach K and this year's basketball team!  Her cousin managed to get these for her, lucky girl!

Can you recognize this handsome fella from the back?  It's our friend, Drew, out for some fresh air and a visit with his "neigh"bor… a horse!  😀  We miss you making us laugh, Drew.  Here's a funny for you:  Where do sick horses go?  To the horsepital!

 Drew watched the videos from our Virginia Zoo assignment. Here, he is recycling to help the environment, just like the zookeeper suggested!  Yay! That's definitely a 👍!

Drew's mom, Donna, came across this cool step-by-step way to draw Snoopy!  She knows that lots of our AoA guys like to draw.  HEY GUYS:  We would love to see your efforts, so give it a try and send us a picture!  Thanks for sharing, Donna. This would be a fun thing to do while stuck at home! 

Seeing Snoopy made Lisa remember a fun video she saw recently.  It's the Peanuts Gang singing one of our favorite dance songs, Stayin' Alive by The Bee Gees.  C'mon, everybody, get your disco on!  Let's dance!  💃🕺

Aww, look at Annabelle and Miss Rose taking Liz for a walk at Freedom Park!  We have had some beautiful days for walking.

Liz and her mom sent some pictures from the Botanical Garden.  Look how much has grown at the Fairy Bed!

It looks like the garden is bursting with blooms now.  Here's one of our favorite snowball bushes!

Look at these gorgeous tulips!  Liz wants to remind everyone that Freedom Park and "our" Botanical Garden is still OPEN for walking and exploring.  Check it out!  Thanks for these beautiful pictures, Liz and Lise!

Liz and her mom have been outside a lot this week!  They also made a trip down to AFCC to refill the bird feeders!  Thank you both, very much, for this thoughtful gesture!  

What's this Cameron and his dad are about to devour?!  Looks like milkshakes!!  Yum!  This reminds us of how much we are missing Frosties.  We'll plan a special trip to Wendy's as soon as we get back to normal!  Meanwhile, Cameron, enjoy that for all of us!

We got this pretty picture from Bette Faye, who was out taking her new hip for a walk!  She reports that this lovely dogwood tree belongs to one of her neighbors, Mrs. Harper, who is up in her 90s but still tends to her vast garden.  This dogwood tree is a stunner in her garden, and Bette Faye says bus loads of admirers drive by every year to see it!  WOW!  And you're looking great, too, Bette Faye! So good to see you on the move!

Our final picture this week is of our plants sitting in the sun on Lisa's front porch.  Becky D. from Parks & Rec met her at the center on Friday morning so she could fetch them before they died of loneliness...and no water!  They were actually in pretty good shape, and you can see, two of the African violets are blooming! Carol will pick them up this weekend and take them home to care for them until our triumphant return to AFCC!

We at the AoA are not the only group, business, school, or organization that is closed at this time.  Some in our community must remain partially open to care for animals, and are struggling to provide for their needs.  A favorite of ours, The Virginia Living Museum, is one such place that could use some support during closure. Coach Teri and Sam would like us to point you in the direction of the VLM's website, where you can not only explore the museum virtually, but also support them with a donation to their Emergency Animal Support Fund.  Thanks, Teri and Sam, for sharing this concern with us.

Virginia Living Museum

As always, we wish you a wonderful weekend....and send extra thoughts that all are remaining safe and healthy,

Lisa, Carol, Nan, and the AoA Gang