Back to school

Back to School 2020

3rd grader, 7th grader, 10th grader, SENIOR

I think enough time has past that I can post about the kid’s back to school online year without crying. It has been a somber affair. My two high schoolers have 4 classes per quarter. The school district was in a battle over class schedules before school started and this is what we ended up with. So for now 4 classes a day but moving at double the speed they would normally (a typical year long class finishing in a semesters time and a semester long class finishing in a quarters time.) They spend an hour on zoom per class with breaks and then have 30 minutes per class to work by themselves. They start at 9 am and end around 2:30 with their zoom and then have their own work time after that. Things have been going ok. Julia is not loving her online ceramics class but to give the class some credit she is working with ceramics clay almost everyday. Julia is missing her friends and spends most her lunch breaks talking to them over zoom. 

Natalie’s schedule is more normal with her 6 periods. She has 3 periods a day with a homeroom. She alternates classes every other day. She spends most of her day on zoom with classes.  In 2020 we have learned what “zoom bombing” is. If you don’t know what that is look it up! And according to Julia “a federal offense.”

Lucy was excited for school to start even with it online. The night before she was so excited she couldn’t sleep. She has a two to three live zoom meetings a day with work she is supposed to do by herself mixed in. She starts at 9 am and finishes around 2:30 everyday. It seems to be going okay. She is working on multiplication and division and writing her own book. 

The kids seem to be adjusting although at times I can feel their emotional state to be down. A few weeks ago we were riding bikes and we rode by the elementary school. Lucy looked at me and said if I could choose online school or school with masks I would sure choose wearing a mask. That made me so sad. The good news is that maybe by mid-November we might be able to go to in person school 2 times a week. 😬 

Braces

 

Natalie got braces! Looking at her teeth one might not think she needed them but her poor molars are twisted and turned so bad in her mouth her orthodontist said if she didn’t get these on soon that she was going to need to have teeth pulled and would have adult years of alignment problems. We sure hope that it works and her teeth rotate correctly. 

Joy!

 I must be getting old when this is what gives me so much joy! We have been talking about this stupid chimney for far too long and yesterday Mitch made it happen. 

Better late than never?

 Today Julia received her YW medallion. She finished it last November. So ya know, why not wait this long to recognize her? But none the less we are proud of her working really hard and finishing something she put her mind to. She had to speak to all the YW and other ward members today on zoom about her experiences and did a great job! 

SENIOR

I have a lot that I want to post about our summer. That will be coming soon. There is so many pressing things happening that my time is non-existent. Today I spent the day setting up school desks, computer, supplies, links, zoom, etc.  To put it mildly, I am completely overwhelmed.

 BUT- yesterday I was at the lake with the kids and as I looked over at Cameron I couldn’t help wonder were the time has gone. This kid is a SENIOR. This year will not be a typical year for him, but I am so blessed to be with him and have him with me for at least one more year. Here is to the Class of 2021!! 

Laundry day

Just your typical “wash your masks” day

Vacation prep

It's vacation time!!

Just a few things on the to-do list before we go:

Cat “car wash” in place: ✅

Bought selfie stick to embarrass kids with: ✅

 Worthless magazines for car ride: ✅

Sunday best

Here is Cameron’s Sunday attire for his zoom meeting devotional. He was one of the speakers. 

Summer finally arrived 7/14

Summer showed up today, better late than never. 

Welcome!

FHE

Hope

Tonight as Mitch and I were coming out of dinner a rainbow filled the sky. A whole rainbow that went from one end of the sky to the other. It was so vibrant. It was just what I needed today. 

Lady Liberty

4th of July

4th of July Shenanigans

Lady Liberty, Aunty Sam, Abe, and a patriotic kangaroo.

(See I told you that when you think 4th of July you think kangaroo!) 

Hard to believe that we have all these costumes.  Ha ha 

It is apparent that Cameron hasn't had to wear his church clothes in awhile.  He went to put on his suit and it is on the smaall side.  By the time we really go back to church, he will really not be able to fit into anything!

Mitch offered these guys $25 each if they went to the main road and waved at cars as they drove past.  Too bad for the teenagers in making some fast cash because "that would be soooo embarrassing."

We spent the evening  at Mitch's sisters house.  Had a nice bbq, the kids got to swim and enjoyed some fireworks. All and all, a nice day. 

Kangaroo Farm

To kick off the holiday weekend, we decided to visit a kangaroo farm in Arlington. I mean, I know you think kangaroo when you think of the 4th of July!  It was fun to pet and watch the kangaroos jump. They are so soft, who knew!

They had other fun animals. I have so many pictures through the years with Mitch and odd animals. It might be one of my favorite things.

We were excited that Grandma came along with us.

Traffic was a nightmare getting to the farm so we missed the time slot that we were shooting for. So to burn sometime before the next tour we visited the outlet mall in Marysville. It was PACKED with people and the rules to get into the stores with everything going on was insane. The girls really wanted to go to the Crocs store so we waited at least 30 minutes in line to go in. It was a win for them as they all snagged some new Crocs. Lucy's Crocs were a blessing because the other day she wiped out on her bike and if she hadn't been wearing her new Crocs her feet would have been a mess.  Her knee, elbow and side weren't so lucky.

Cameron wanted to go into the Nike store. The line was so big that it would have taken hours to finally get inside. We skipped that! It looked like some crazy line at Disneyland, the difference being the lines at Disneyland at least move. Other than the Croc store the lines were too long and my back too bad but it was fun to get out even if it was with a mask.

Birthday girl

The highly anticipated day arrived. Julia has been counting the days till her birthday for quite some time now.  The day turned out to be sort of a cool rainy day but despite the weather she was all smiles.

Julia’s birthday wishlist was released a few months ago. She was so kind to rank her wishlist in price and importance. 

This was Cameron’s gift to her. The driver’s ed manual. 

Julia’s special request for dinner was Papa Murphys pizza, Caesar salad and Olive Garden bread sticks.