Check out this fun activity we did today as part of remote school. We’re learning about the branches of government as a stepping stone to get excited about the upcoming election. I’m not embarrassed to say I’m learning a few things, too.
Here’s the link to the lesson details, in case you’re interested.
One of the staff at the boys’ school snapped photos during the official school photo shoot days. I can’t handle the cuteness! I’m hoping the real ones turn out just as adorable.
Out with the old, in with the new! Chris put his electrical skills to the test with this one. Pictured above (on the right) is our beautiful new chandelier over the rounded staircase leading up to our second floor. The old fixture is pictured on the left as a comparison.
It was a big job. We ended up having to call in ladder-holding reinforcements (thanks, dad!). But no one almost died and the light fixture actually works and looks so so good. Another project off the list.
My dad found this sweet cane fishing pole in the garage. And it was a lucky piece of equipment for Robbe. He caught something on his first three attempts!
The leaves are changing colors here and I just can’t get enough of it. I think the boys are getting tired of me pointing out, “there’s another really pretty one”. Can you handle how beautiful autumn is? I feel like I never really appreciate the crazy size trees are until they’re bright orange or red against an otherwise ordinary backdrop.
I just love it.
I was hoping we’d luck out with another warm spell before Fall officially hits…and it’s here! We biked to and from school the last two days and it just makes me so happy. The river, the bridges, the changing leaves, the fresh air, the exercise…the list goes on and on. Fingers crossed we get a few more days of this before we’re car-bound for the next six months!
Another shot from this weekend: Robbe was thrilled to be back catching fish again after a bit of a dry spell. It doesn’t take much to make this little one happy.
Robbe and I were living our best lives today. Apple picking. From our own trees. Technically they’re my parents’ trees, but close enough, right? They might not be the cutest specimens but they taste good and we had fun. It’s a win!
Chase did a crazy amount of work over the last three days. He missed in-person classes Monday and Tuesday so a friend of his grabbed the work he missed from those days in addition to the work assigned for his remote learning days (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday).
It. Was. Intense.
There were some rough moments along the way. But there were many many more amazing moments that made up for it. We’re learning how to work together when it’s just the two of us. We’re learning how to be challenged and frustrated and overwhelmed without giving up. Everyone can relate to that, am I right?
I’m incredibly proud of this small human.
This is what remote learning looked like at our house today. Eek! The hyper-organized, control-freak in me was losing my mind. But these assignments and resources are new to all of us and we’ve just got to dive in before we can figure out a system.
The boys rocked remote learning today, I have to say. Not only were we looking at today’s assignments for both boys, but the last two days for both boys because they were out sick. And…the next two days for Chase because he does remote learning tomorrow and Friday. It was a lot to keep straight but we buckled down, worked hard, and even had some fun.
I feel so incredibly blessed to have the flexibly in my job and our life to be able to be the at-home learning coach that the boys desperately need to navigate this crazy year. For parents doing this under different circumstances, I see you and hope you know that whatever you’re doing is enough.
Sorry I’ve been MIA lately. It’s been a crazy few days. We had a fun weekend away (see photo above) and then came home to sick kids. With the new protocol at school, Robbe had to be Covid-tested yesterday (hello, stressful!). We got the results back extremely fast and found out he was negative (whew!). Unfortunately, getting a negative test result doesn’t actually make any of us feel better health-wise so we spent the day continuing to rest and recover. It felt like a turning point, though, so I’m hopeful tomorrow will be a vast improvement.
Almost four years ago, I promised myself that I would do my part to make sure that President Trump would not be re-elected. Today I started fulfilling that promise. And I managed to score the best job ever: button making! I might have found my life’s true calling.
I’m also being trained on office work next week and might offer my graphic design skills, too. I’m not waking up the day after the election full of regrets this time around.
Here we go, Wisconsin. Let’s do this.
Mom school was back in session today. And, you know what? It was pretty lovely, actually. We slid right back into our old routine and even got some educating done. High five!
In the photo above, Robbe is working on a graphic novel entitled Best Summer Ever (it’s a personal narrative) and Chase is starting typing lessons. So cute, right?
The big one is officially a 3rd grader. Crazy, right? Doesn’t he look so grown up?!? It’s going to be an odd year with Robbe attending four days (M, T, Th, F) and Chase attending two days (M, T), but we’ll make it work and will keep hoping that school stays in session. Just like Robbe, Chase had a really great first day and was just so overwhelmingly happy to be back.
These teachers have their work cut out for them this year and I can’t thank them enough for all they’re doing to keep our kids happy and healthy and [hopefully] in school.
No matter what it looks like, this 3rd grader is going to rock it. :)
We’ve been watching this baby grow in our garden all summer. We finally picked our prized honeydew (aka “green melon”) today. It’s really amazing how strong the vines of these plants are. We decided to let it ripen on the counter for a few days. I’ll report back when we finally cut into it. I’m not sure the taste is ever going to live up to the hype and excitement surrounding this beaut.
It was a beautiful day for a new hike. Can you handle how pretty this is? Perrot State Park definitely didn’t disappoint. The hike was the perfect distance and the weather couldn’t have been better.
Chris was off work today so he was happy to join us for drop off and pick up at school. Robbe specifically requested a photo with dad by the school sign. They’re so cute, aren’t they?
Robbe had a great first day of 1st grade. He declared it his “best day ever”. He loved being around kids again and was so excited to report that no one even got Covid. Haha.
After weeks of deliberating what would be best for him, seeing him light up [and not stop beaming or talking] for an hour after school made me feel much better. Even as we were getting ready to leave, he had a HUGE smile under the mask.
Robbe goes back to school tomorrow. I don’t want to talk about it. But I will.
We had a lovely, low-key day just being together. It’s hard to believe after six months of this, our little trifecta will be separated. Chase starts on Tuesday. That’ll be the real shock for me. After keeping them in this little bubble for so long, I’m struggling with relinquishing control. Covid stinks, you know?
We struggled endlessly over the decision to go virtual vs. hybrid and I’m still feeling ok about the choice to send them but, man, I’m worried. My one job is to protect these tiny people. To keep them safe and happy and healthy. All of that feels out of my control right now. I don’t love that.
Deep down, I believe they’ll have a good year. They’ll learn a lot academically, of course, but they’ll also learn so much about themselves and the importance of being flexible in life. I just need to focus some effort on doing the same for myself.
Just so I don’t leave you on a sad note, let me tell you about these amazing murals that went up in EC over the weekend. Aren’t they fun? We all need some bright colors and inspiration in life right now. And I don’t know if you know this or not, but Robbe LOVES murals—it was the perfect last day activity to round out the longest summer vacation ever. *You can click on the photos above to enlarge.*
small city | BIG DAYS
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