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Yesterday was a doozy. Someone on Facebook said that eLearning is like having a newborn again, in the sense that children need constant attention. And that's not an inaccurate statement.  I know that Jojo's teacher doesn't helicopter him at school; she has other children who also need her attentions. So, I'm trying to be better about letting him work independently. For independent reading, I've been sitting with him and listening to him read. Yesterday, however, I set him up with a stack of readers that were about his level, set the timer, and left the room. He did a great job! Today, instead of hovering over him while he did his work, I'm trying to give him some space. But, ugh, it's hard. For example, he tried to go to his Seesaw account but it signed him out! So I had to dig around in my email to find his code, blah blah blah. Anyway. Its our third day of eLearning and fourth day of school (he goes to school on Tuesdays). Trying to find the balance betwee...

Our official first day of school was an eLearning day. Not how I would choose, but again, I'm very grateful for our school district's chose path this year. (I may be alone in this.) The kiddos started the day with big bowls of cocoa pebbles (so healthy) and I started mine with my favorite tea. I've taken to calling it my happy tea (because it contains ashwagandha).  I want us to have some semblance of normalcy, so maintaining a rhythm, if not a strict schedule, is necessary. We started school around 8am. Everyone was fed, dressed, teeth and hair brushed. I even applied makeup. (What an overachiever!) We started with reading from Jesus Calling for kids and taking turns praying. Then, we said the pledge of allegiance--I found a little flag leftover from some past Fourth of July. After that, it was time for actual school. I set Ruthie up with her work book and helped Jojo with his Chromebook. He zoomed through his lessons! We did have a pretty serious hiccup when it came time ...

Today was Jojo's first day back at school since March 13th. When school was canceled back in March, I had no idea that it would be for the remainder of the year. Maybe two weeks, at most, and then this whole pandemic thing would blow over and things would go back to normal. Then, in May, when I tearfully watched Jojo's virtual award ceremony, I was sure that August would come and school would be back to normal. Well, normal, whatever that means, isn't back. But he was at school anyway. One thing for which I am incredibly grateful, is the method of reopening that our school is using. For in-person, students will attend 0, 1, 2, or 5 days depending on the rate of spread and the number of cases. The remaining days, they will eLearn. I like that it wasn't a choice between totally virtual or totally present. We're cautiously working our way back to five days a week. There is a 100% virtual option for parents who didn't want to go back.  Next week, is the official sta...

Quarantine log: day 26 Distance learning has been going well. Jojo actually says he likes being more than school because he likes being home with family. However, he added that it is harder that school. I think because all the worksheets. When he said that, that made me realize we need to diversify his learning. I can go off the worksheets (because I am NO lesson planner) and make learning a little more hands on. For example, he was supposed to fill out a worksheet with all the parts of a flower. There were, like, four worksheets that were the same thing. So, instead, we looked at plants and talked about them. We also planted out Venus fly trap and started a science journal. He has video chats with his class once or twice a week. His teacher does a good job making it fun! They've had show and tell, talking about their favorite books, or a rainbow scavenger hunt. I also had a video conference with his teachers to talk about what to expect for the rest of the year. Sch...

Quarantine log: day 12 I felt convicted last night about my exercise during this pandemic. Up until this moment, I haven't really felt that I've been doing anything wrong with my actions. But last night, I thought about the massive crowds that have been at local parks. (More crowds than the Fourth of July. Which, I guess, is significant.) I mean, even on that rainy day, I passed quite a few people on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. (Normally, I'd see maybe one or two people on a rainy day.) By being another body on a high-traffic trail, am I being part of the problem? For a while, my thought has been that I am not part of the problem. They. All the others. All those people who never go outside who are suddenly on MY trails. They are the problem. But the outdoors belongs to everyone. I don't have a greater ownership in it because I am a frequent user. I am, indeed, part of the problem. By being another body, when the problem is ALL THE BODIES...

Quarantine log day 10 Felt blah yesterday. Woke up feeling more blah. Just down. A little depressed. Emotional. Overwhelmed. Negative. My husband had a period of no meetings in the morning, so he encouraged me to go for a run. After having J complete his english & language arts, and math for the day, I let the kids watch Pete The Cat (or Pete and the Cat, as Ruthie calls it!) and got ready to go. I drove to three parking lots on the trail before I found one with open spots. Then I sat in the car for several minutes because I just didn't want to get out. It was cold and dreary outside. I knew I should just go. I knew I'd feel better. But sometimes, it's just hard to get out of the car. It's funny how ten miles can seem way to short somedays and others, three miles seems impossible. Today, was obviously one of the days that three miles seemed impossible. I visualized my turn-around point in my mind and it just seemed so. far. away. I decided t...

My week started off with a trip to Walmart. Monday is my normal grocery shopping day, and we needed a bit of replenishment. It was more crowded at 6AM than other Mondays, but no surprise there! I've been trying to keep the kids on a bit of a schedule. Monday and Tuesday were easier. We woke up, ate, did worksheets, chores, and then played (outside or LEGO) until lunch. Then, they had quiet time followed by tablet time followed by more play time (outside or LEGO) until dinner. And bedtime immediately follows dinner. On both Monday, we went for a hike. On Tuesday, I took the kids to Furman to ride their bikes! Monday night I was able to chat with my mom which was so nice. She is quarantined in the Philippines. But she is doing okay and I'm so glad we were able to chat! I've been able to get in plenty of exercise this week, which I've been very grateful for. The outdoors isn't canceled! Indoor seating at restaurants has been closed! Dr...