This week we got the word that Iowa schools will be closed the rest of the year. :( This was not anything I was surprised to hear, but I had not given myself space to fully accept or deal with just because I've been focusing hard on managing my anxiety with just the day's trials. Hearing it officially actually made me feel a lot better, as it was a final decision and we could stop resting in the in-between space of not knowing.
I know the struggles I am having with online learning are ones others are having too and I'm trying to just be fine with it all. I'm working hard to make sure my own kids are doing their best and that our home is safe and happy. I'm also having fun creating new things online for my students to work on- unfortunately I can't control whether they participate or not. :(
The news came on Friday and we had a good week overall!
Michael: "Sisters, if you want to play loudly, go play over there. I'm trying to talk to myself and I can't even hear myself play".
This week I asked the kids some questions. Here is what they said:
Favorite part of staying home:
M: having mom home all-day
A: having Michael and mom make more treats
B: I love Mommy
Least favorite part:
M: missing teacher and friends
A: the rest time
B: not seeing Mrs. Hoyt
Something you like about yourself
M: good at reading, and building things
A: Good at listening to Mommy
B: Good at dreaming big
On Tuesday and Thursdays, I have my office hours at school, where I am available for students and also just trying to get my planning done. The kids are pretty much on their own during these times and so it has resulted in me digging deep into my craft stores. We found some fun window markers and also paint slick crayons that seemed to be a hit. Otherwise it just unlimited screen time!
Anna has been my friend during my morning workouts. She does the elliptical or plays while I exercise. I have less than 20 days left in my 100 morning program and I am excited to finish it. I feel stronger than I have in a long time (even though I am still not any skinnier nor is the scale showing any progress) but it goes a long way for my overall mental health.
This is totally random, but I spent a whole day cutting and organizing spools of ribbons that I hand out to my students for checking off their band karate belt songs in their books. They are usually a huge mess in my office and I was glad I got this big job out of the way. I think these ribbons should last me until I retire. :)
We got out of the house for a drive earlier in the week. I bribed the kids with a treat from Scooters (they like smoothies and they have lots of different flavors). We listened to Harry Potter and relaxed. All the kids fell asleep- win!
Wednesday: it snowed!
Thursday, I watched the movie "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" and it was really good. I had watched the other documentary "Won't you be my neighbor?" and read a book about Fred Rogers so I was pretty well versed in the story but I liked the angle the movie took. It was about the main character's dad dying and naturally, that made me sad, too but that is okay. We had to watch it that day to return it to the redbox so I was happy for an excuse to have a bit of time to myself. I've included some of my favorite quotes from the movie.
It snowed again on Friday! We went out early and played- well the kids, not me. :) It was a good thing they went out early because it all melted as it was a super sunny day.
As soon as we were done with our schoolwork on Friday, we loaded up in the car and headed to chick fil a for some lunch. We took it to Jester for a picnic in the back of our car. It was a beautiful, sunny day but a bit chilly. We hung out for a while and it was a nice change of pace.
This weekend Scott and I are working hard on redoing our corner retaining walls. The top one is done already. We tore it down, remeasured, and restacked the blocks. I dug out all the plants and we filled with new dirt. I am planning on using the plants in other places in the yard (probably the side that you see in the photo) and then we will plant new things as I am replanting my whole front with more shrubs and perennials instead of just annuals. A big project, but I'm excited about it and having fun dreaming.
The bottom retaining wall will be quite a bit smaller than it is now and we are hoping it will be more manageable in terms of plants, weeds, and structure. We have lots of dirt work in our future.
Stay tuned! :)
Stay well!
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