Distance Learning set-up includes lots of monitors and no physical students.  It's strange, but I can't say enough how proud and impressed I am by my students and colleagues.  It has been incredible to watch the entire educational system change and evolve to fit within the parameters of Covid-19.  (I like to think we are building the plane as we fly...)

Everyone in our community is stepping up to support our students learning from home.  I have 100% attendance every day.  If a student is gone for a reason, I am contacted a head of time.  Students are completing their work, asking questions, making mistakes and trying again.  Is it perfect?  No.  Do I expect perfection? Nope - not in person or virtually do I expect perfection.  I expect kids to show up, work hard, and be nice.  They are not falling behind.  They are surviving a global pandemic.

 

 😂

One of the best things of 2020 is pictured above.  Finally, after YEARS of begging and pleading - the family finally agreed to putting a tree up prior to Thanksgiving.  While this may seem like not a very big deal to you, it is to me.  I LOVE CHRISTMAS TREES SO MUCH, and sitting in the twinkling glow makes my heart happy.  

AP's birthday celebration 2020 - guess what?  We stayed home.  AP made an amazing cheesecake, we danced, decorated the tree, and determined that he continues to be our favorite. 💙

 

November 10, 2020 - Bennett Daniel Prose turns 14 today.  Yep, fourteen.  And, we decided to celebrate at home. 😊 You had a few items on your birthday list - snow, distance learning and an old set of encyclopedias. You know we do everything in our power to make your birthday dreams come true. So, beginning next week, we will be full time distance learning, it is currently snowing, and unbeknownst to you, your encyclopedias are on the way. We got you, kid. #myfavoriteoldman

Harper got Bennett a leather bound journal and quill feather pen.  In the journal, she wrote this poem:

A Poem for 14

Happy 14th birthday, Bennett Daniel Prose.

As a present, I will write you a poem, I suppose.

You're the best brother I've ever had, and that makes me very glad.

I like when we are home alone, even if I'm on my phone.

You are so determined and smart.  But, I don't like it when you fart.

You take care of me so well, maybe a new pair of socks would be swell.

Forever I will be your best friend.  And I love you even though this poem ends.

Love, Little Muffin

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, Mother Nature, The Universe and the 81MILLION people who voted for unity, love, inclusion, human rights, education, Joe and Kamala.  It is a moment in HERstory that we are proud to be of witness.  Now, can we just fast fwd to January 20, 2021?

Ok - so it kinda feels like Ground Hog day around here.  Same thing every day - so here are some other highlights from October.

We are still in school - full time for teachers, hybrid learning for the kiddos.  My spare time is spent creating Bitmoji themed morning meeting games like "Would you rather have a giant pet or a microscopic pet?".  Fortunately, I have the best class - so resilient and kind - and daily they remind me I'm the best teacher ever.

CocoV pretends to despise all of us, except the violinist.  She sits outside Harper's door each morning, until it is opened.  Her happy place is snuggled under the pink blanket, with her dearest companion.  She loves shredding toilet paper, giving us looks of displeasure, laying by the fireplace.

The children have been busy with their respective hobbies.  Harper is learning the violin, and it is currently her favorite Zoom of the day.  Cross Country is a sport that is quite appropriate for a global pandemic, and Bennett has still been able to participate in meets - with limited spectators, in masks, 6 feet apart.

One day, AP just HAD to go to Home Depot.  We went along for the ride.  Next to this essential business was a Hallmark store.  Bennett said "Mom.  Is that really a store full of cards??  I've always wanted to go there!"  It was a first for the boy.

Still mourning the loss of our beloved RBG.  Thanks, to Colie, we have the perfect masks to wear when we finally get to vote for Joe.  Bye-Don.

Ronnie McWeasley, our beloved orange kitty, love to nap.  She loves to burrow herself up under blankets or in laps.  She follows everyone around the house, demanding they sit down and provide a space for her to nap.  Lucky for her, someone is always home.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  We have the best neighbors.  So thoughtful and kind, they even remembered us on National Gin and Tonic Day.  Cheers, Niki and Big D!

We are not distance learning, yet...  But, it's coming.  I can feel it.

Halloween was celebrated in Morningstar - but like everything else in our world, it was a bit different.   Candy that was left at the end of driveways was collected - but we did not go ringing anyone's bell.  Even with this modification, the bloody nurse and trackstar will be able to keep the candy drawer filled for weeks. 

By far, the most important event of this month was - we voted.  And, now we wait for November 4th.