A Christmas visit

Uncles Ben and Jon came for their annual Christmas visit in early December. It was a whirlwind weekend with a lot of softball, a little shopping, and missed hockey (thanks to a broken collarbone). 

But we had a great time spending extended time together, shopping, eating, games and more shopping. 

Lincoln decided against most shopping and opted instead for experiences, even with his bum arm. They had a lot of fun at Build-A-Bear and he dragged Ben into the VR experience at the MOA. Building some fun memories for sure. 

Their visit happened to coincide with Lincoln's annual "art" event at school so they got to see Lincoln's self-portrait and hear a few music songs too. It was fun for them to be part of Lincoln's special day at school. And even more exciting as it was Lincoln's first art/music program because all of them previously have been cancelled due to the pandemic. 

He did great and loved having a few extra audience members!

Thanks for a fun visit Uncles Ben and Jon! 

 

School year 2020-21

Well, we’ve finished week 2 of distance learning, and have what feels like eternity left to go. It’s not easy, it’s disappointing and frustrating and difficult and sometimes maddening. 

But we’re doing it. 

There is a silver lining, we are learning a new way of going about school work, and we have experienced more family togetherness than we have in the last 14 years (....is that a good thing!? haha!). 

Bonus, the toy room got a little cleaned out! 

We rearranged the toy/game room to accommodate this table set up for Lincoln and it’s working quite well. 

He knows when he sits there, it’s time for school. 

We aren’t perfect, we’ve missed a google meet (because whoops!) and sometimes his assignments don’t get finished until late in the day. But he’s in first grade, and he needs a lot of help to understand the lesson and so I give myself grace. Having 2 parents working full time means we don’t have the luxury of sitting beside him 6 hours/day to provide instruction. So instead, life becomes a lesson. 

For example, Regan took him on a bike ride the other day, he asked about a yard sign with MLK’s picture. She gave an excellent (first grade) lesson about MLK as they rode home. 

The girls pretty much hang out in their rooms for their "school" day, participating in their video classes or doing assignments. They appear to grab breakfast, lunch or ask a question, and then disappear back to their rooms. We are incredibly blessed that they are self-starters, self-sufficient and just get it done day after day. We know they don't love it, and would much prefer to see their friends in person. Although on mornings like today, where Regan missed her alarm and rolled out of bed at 9:05am and still wasn't late for class, I think she sort of appreciated it :) 

 

Start of a new school year

I keep hearing to give ourselves grace during these unusual times; so I'm trying. But failing miserably. This whole distance learning is giving me a run for my money. And we're only one day into the school year. Sadly our kiddos won't even get to meet their teachers in person, seeing as though our district moved us to distance learning before we even started hybrid. 

We started today off and within minutes (literally), I was in tears. It was no fun. Trying to work and teach is nearly impossible. Yes, I am a teacher to Lincoln; there is no other way to put it. These little kids can't navigate these platforms on their own, nor get their work done without instruction and help from a parent. So I teach. And I work. And I cry because it's a lot to manage. 

So here is his first day of school picture, because I failed at taking a real one. 

He looks like he's loving it. (insert eye roll)..he's not. He hated it. Rolled around on the ground, refused to listen to the (pre-recorded) story and only finished his assignment because I told him he couldn't go to hockey if it wasn't complete. 

It's going to be a long year. 

Sidney had slightly fewer tears, but they still rolled down her cheeks as she tried to navigate these new middle school platforms. She was eager to get online, but her excitement faded as she became overwhelmed with needing to go from one google meet to the next. We later joked that she will still have to raise her hand to use the bathroom, even though she's in her own house! 

Regan scored the best of them all today. Her distance learning started, but the assignment was to go to the school, pick up her materials and have her school picture taken. 
Wouldn't you know it she coordinated a time to meet up with some besties because "you can't show up alone mom!". 

I guess since I got one decent picture I'll call it a win for the day (even though I forgot to take a solo picture of Regan). 

And thank goodness for awesome friends who show up at softball practice with a special "beverage" in hand to help me celebrate just making it through the day. 

Cheers to the start of this most unusual school year. 

 

This. is. hard

The week is half over. Which is heavenly because it has been a trying week. 

I hope we can someday look back at this time and remember more than just the tough times, because man has it been hard. 

It's one thing to be quarantined. 

It's another to be working from home doing a job that is meant to be inside the walls of the hospital.

It's another to be sharing WiFi and work space with 3 kids and your husband.  

It's another to be teaching kindergarten. 

All this with no end in sight. 

This. Is. Hard. 

Our WiFi can't keep up with the demand. After spending an hour on hold, only to argue with the tech lady about internet speeds, I gave up. 

But a download speed of less than 1 when it should hoover 40-100 is just not cutting it. 

I can constantly be heard yelling: "One device!" which means everyone gets to browse on only one device at a time. 

None of this multi-tasking business. 

I really wish Lincoln's requirements included only these academic goals. 

Because we've mastered them ten times over.

 But using the Seesaw app, and all of the apps within apps has my head spinning most days. 

Core classes, specialists, optional versus required. 

Twenty-two assignments in his inbox, all of which need us to sit beside him and ensure he understands what to do (because half the time we can't find the instructions buried within a link to the left, a click to the right). 

This. Is. Hard. 

This picture below is how Lincoln feels about Distant Learning. 

He hates it.
Every single second. 

Each morning, we beg and bribe for him to start the learning and stay on task. 

But learning off his iPad is boring to him. 

And because we are working full-time demanding jobs, we don't have time to allow for 15 minute transitions, more begging and another 10 minutes of transition. 

Sometimes we tag team: one starts and the other helps him finish. 

On a good day, he wraps it up in an hour or two. 

Other days (like today), we're still trying to get to the assignments at 5pm. 

I thank my lucky stars that the girls have done such a wonderful job at starting and completing their learning each day. 

This. Is. Hard. 

I saw this from a friend today. 

And I have to remind myself to do the best we can.

Let go of some of the pressure (on all of us).   

Tonight when we snuggled into bed, and he grabbed a book eager to read to me, I realized that learning doesn't have to happen on a Seesaw app or a link provided by the school. Those connections, those snuggles, the gaining confidence to read under flashlight are what I hope he remembers from these hard times. 

Taking a deep breath, and we'll try again tomorrow. 

First days of school

We are 6 weeks into the school year and I’m finally getting around to posting the first day of school photos. 

Regan started first, the day after Labor Day. Though it was warm and sunny, she insisted on needing a big chunky sweater because all of her classes are in the basement this year. She was chipper and excited to be back into the swing of things. Though 2 weeks in, she admitted that she missed summer and should’ve better taken advantage of those weeks off from school. 

Lincoln and Sidney got an extra day at home with me, where we ended up taking Sidney in for an ear infection (good way to start the school year) and visiting their classrooms for assessment day. By the time their big day rolled around, they were both so eager and anxious to start a new year. 

Lincoln headed off to kindergarten without hesitation. He loves his teacher, has made new friends and from his self-report, is not one of the naughty kids in the class :) 

He wants to be a tiger trainer or race car driver, and is most excited about adding. We worked on reading last night and I’m blown away by his skills already! And in true kindergarten boy fashion, his favorite subjects are lunch and recess.

Sidney entered her last year of elementary school, and her only year sharing a school with Lincoln. She’s excited to be the oldest in the school and ready to take on her role as Kindergarten Bus Buddy, ensuring several kinders each day get to the right bus after school. 

She adores her teacher, wishes she was with some of her besties, but is happy with her friend group in class. 

They let me walk them into school, but Lincoln stopped me at the door and told me he was good from there. Oh baby boy, growing up so fast :)

I opted to bring lunch to Lincoln and Sidney one of the first days, mostly so I could peek in and meet some of their buddies. Love seeing them amongst their peers.

I'm thankful that she still lets me join her lunch....and I know all too well that this will likely be the last year she lets me do so.

Preschool Christmas Program

We are blessed that Lincoln attends a preschool with teachers who love him and take good care of him. He has made close friendships and is learning all he needs before Kindergarten. This past week they held a short Christmas program for the families and Lincoln was so excited for us to watch him on stage. 

His most favorite song was Hippopotamus for Christmas and his subtle dance moves on stage were adorable! Click to watch a (super long but worth every second) video. 

Lincoln couldn't wait to find his best buddy after the show, along with the Big Guy himself :) I may have to gift this photo to these two friends on their 18th birthday or senior graduation! 

First day of school 2017

With the calendar moving into September, we've had the "unofficial" start of fall....the beginning of school. Labor day weekend came and went (insert tears!), and the kiddos all started a new journey in their school careers. We now have 3 pick ups and 3 drop offs each and every day (insert more tears!). We're working over-time here folks and wishing with all our might that we could hire an afternoon nanny to manage the chaos from 2:30-4:30pm! Wishful thinking. 

With the new year, brought Regan to a new school. She entered middle school and left the familiar faces of elementary school behind. Sixth grade has all sorts of adventures waiting for her and she was eager to get started. Few nerves and no tears (on her part...I may have shed a few as I dropped her off on that first day). 

Sidney continues in her elementary school, this year with a homeroom teacher above all the rest. We hit the jackpot again by scoring the same 3rd grade teacher that Regan had. We adore her and cannot wait to hear all about Sidney's 3rd grade stories. 

Lincoln, although is in the same school, moved up to the big kid preschool room. He was hesitant, but excited, for his new journey and surprisingly, let me leave without crying and outstretched arms! I was shocked. My baby is growing up and I'm so glad he feels secure in his school, because it sure makes me feel far less guilty leaving him! 

Here's to a new school year!