Today we started homeschool. We found out last week that the kids' schools will be closed the rest of the school year due to the COVID-19 virus. Our country and around the world around has changed drastically since March 12th. We have been told to socially distance ourself from others. People all over the world are working from home if they can. Mike had to shut down his office on March 17th, so we are slowly getting used to the idea that he will be home all the time. It is a scary time for us since we do not have any income coming in. Two days ago we heard that all non-essential jobs are to stop and we can only get out of the house to go to the store, go through restaurant drive thrus. etc
We are currently waiting to hear from the schools on what kind of e-learning the kids will do. It will be another week before we get that information. So today we started homeschool. I have pulled stuff from resources I had from last summer and I found many online learning opportunities too. I have to say this first day went remarkably well and the time absolutely sped by. We didn't get to everything I was hoping to do. My goal is to spend about 3 hours a day on school. That will include independent work, one on one with each kid separately, and group lessons.
All three kids' soccer practices and games have been canceled for now. So it looks as though we'll be having lots and lots of family time together at home. So far, the kids are doing well and they seem to think this is an adventure.
The family
Monday, March 23, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
Anna's 10 year old stats
10 year old stats:
69 pounds - 40th percentile
59 inches - 96th percentile
One inch until she's 5 ft. Yikes!
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Anna is 10!!!
Anna,
How are you 10 already? Dad and I can't believe it! This was the first year you've ever had school on your birthday and you also had soccer practice. I think you enjoyed being with your friends and getting the all the birthday wishes, but you did say you'd rather have your birthday fall over spring break like it normally does.
You wanted to wake up early and open a couple presents before Drew left for school. You were hoping for some new clothes to wear to school today. I enjoyed being able to bring lunch to you at school. You asked for Tropical Smoothie for lunch. After soccer we had dinner at Jalapeños and then came home and finished opening presents and having ice cream cake.
You got a lot of clothes for your birthday, a crystal growing kit and a new iPad. You were very surprised to get a new iPad. It wasn't on your radar at all.
COVID-19
Your birthday was a bit overshadowed with all the crazy Coronavirus updates. It will be a day to remember for sure. Store shelves are empty - no toilet paper, clorox, clorox wipe, hand santizier. NCAA decided to cancel the tournaments, MLB, MLS, and NBA have all suspended their play for now. It is just unbelievable. There's talk that school will be closed for the rest of the school year, so who knows your birthday may have been your last day of school for your 4th grade year.
This past month has been busy. You have finished up your indoor soccer leagues at New Century. Both of your teams won first place. Your All American League hasn't ended yet, but you should win that one too. Outdoor has started. You have had a rough start with both teams, both teams have had one loss, which is very different for your teams, but we are hoping you will learn form the losses and move on. Luckily you don't get too down with a loss.
Last weekend your basketball season ended with a tournament. You won your first game, but lost your second. It was such a fun season to watch. Dad and I can't believe how aggressive you were this season and you were by far the best defensive player on the team. Your soccer background has really helped you with defense. You still need some work on your shooting and drilling, but you played so well this season. We are so proud of you! Your team did win the the Sportmanship award and you all got medals. This is a bit funny, because your fans (parents) were very outspoken at many games. Good thing you and your teammates were good sports!
We are so happy we got to celebrate your entry to the double digits!
We love you so much,
Mom and Dad
How are you 10 already? Dad and I can't believe it! This was the first year you've ever had school on your birthday and you also had soccer practice. I think you enjoyed being with your friends and getting the all the birthday wishes, but you did say you'd rather have your birthday fall over spring break like it normally does.
You wanted to wake up early and open a couple presents before Drew left for school. You were hoping for some new clothes to wear to school today. I enjoyed being able to bring lunch to you at school. You asked for Tropical Smoothie for lunch. After soccer we had dinner at Jalapeños and then came home and finished opening presents and having ice cream cake.
You got a lot of clothes for your birthday, a crystal growing kit and a new iPad. You were very surprised to get a new iPad. It wasn't on your radar at all.
last night as a 9 year old!
last night as a 9 year old!
COVID-19
Your birthday was a bit overshadowed with all the crazy Coronavirus updates. It will be a day to remember for sure. Store shelves are empty - no toilet paper, clorox, clorox wipe, hand santizier. NCAA decided to cancel the tournaments, MLB, MLS, and NBA have all suspended their play for now. It is just unbelievable. There's talk that school will be closed for the rest of the school year, so who knows your birthday may have been your last day of school for your 4th grade year.
This past month has been busy. You have finished up your indoor soccer leagues at New Century. Both of your teams won first place. Your All American League hasn't ended yet, but you should win that one too. Outdoor has started. You have had a rough start with both teams, both teams have had one loss, which is very different for your teams, but we are hoping you will learn form the losses and move on. Luckily you don't get too down with a loss.
Last weekend your basketball season ended with a tournament. You won your first game, but lost your second. It was such a fun season to watch. Dad and I can't believe how aggressive you were this season and you were by far the best defensive player on the team. Your soccer background has really helped you with defense. You still need some work on your shooting and drilling, but you played so well this season. We are so proud of you! Your team did win the the Sportmanship award and you all got medals. This is a bit funny, because your fans (parents) were very outspoken at many games. Good thing you and your teammates were good sports!
We are so happy we got to celebrate your entry to the double digits!
We love you so much,
Mom and Dad
Wyatt is 5.5!!!
Happy half-birthday Wyatt Michael! Have birthdays are pretty exciting for you. You are thrilled you can start adding that 1/2 to your age now when people ask how old you are. You were a bit bummed that your 1/2 birthday didn't involve cake and presents, but since your 1/2 birthday falls on Anna's birthday you got to enjoy cake. You would have preferred to had your own cake.
This past month you have been doing well at school. Most days you get a good report from your teacher. You are doing a better job at following instructions. You still need daily reminders to be silly at times when it is appropriate and to follow your teachers' directions. I'd say we have that same problem at home. You really do care about having a "good" report each day, so I'm glad you want to follow the rules.
At home you and I have really stepped up our work on learning to read. You want to read so badly! You always want to work with me, which is so different that your siblings. You have even started reading some very basic words. You do a lot of memorizing and also are using your pictures clues, but those are all great strategies when it comes to learning to read. I'm so proud of you. I feel like you'll be beginning reading before kindergarten if we keep up the hard work. You have about 5 books right now that you can read on your own, they are books from a little reading curriculum we are following. You are so proud!!!
You have loved going to Drew and Anna's basketball games this season. You have also picked up your basketball so much and you are pretty darn good and dribbling, you will be more than ready to start playing next year!
You had to miss a couple days of school this week since you were sick. You had a fever, but mainly you were so tired and weak you couldn't get off the couch for about 3 days. We've never seen you so sick. You tested negative or flu, so it was just a virus.
We look forward to this next month with you, spring break is next week!
We love you our little 5.5 year old!
Mom and Dad
This past month you have been doing well at school. Most days you get a good report from your teacher. You are doing a better job at following instructions. You still need daily reminders to be silly at times when it is appropriate and to follow your teachers' directions. I'd say we have that same problem at home. You really do care about having a "good" report each day, so I'm glad you want to follow the rules.
At home you and I have really stepped up our work on learning to read. You want to read so badly! You always want to work with me, which is so different that your siblings. You have even started reading some very basic words. You do a lot of memorizing and also are using your pictures clues, but those are all great strategies when it comes to learning to read. I'm so proud of you. I feel like you'll be beginning reading before kindergarten if we keep up the hard work. You have about 5 books right now that you can read on your own, they are books from a little reading curriculum we are following. You are so proud!!!
You have loved going to Drew and Anna's basketball games this season. You have also picked up your basketball so much and you are pretty darn good and dribbling, you will be more than ready to start playing next year!
You had to miss a couple days of school this week since you were sick. You had a fever, but mainly you were so tired and weak you couldn't get off the couch for about 3 days. We've never seen you so sick. You tested negative or flu, so it was just a virus.
We look forward to this next month with you, spring break is next week!
We love you our little 5.5 year old!
Mom and Dad
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Anna's Birthday Party
Anna had her friend birthday a little early. It is always tricky finding a time to have a party with soccer starting in March and spring break looming. Anna was excited everyone she invited was able to come to her party. She had a pj/movie party, it was pretty much the repeat of her 7th birthday. She decorated pillow cases again and we did a new craft this year - tie dye bookmarks. They were a hit. Drew also created a bracket so the girls could have a pop a shot tournament. The girls were big fans! They watched A Dog's Journey and Anna requested tacos and cheese dip for dinner. She also asked dad to pop popcorn and we had candy during the movie. For dessert she had a soccer cookie cake and ice cream. I'm pretty sure everyone had a blast and went home very full! It was fun watching Anna with her buddies, I really saw her silly personality pop out with her buddies. Pretty sure she's a goofball amongst her friends!
Drew 12 years 5 months
Dear Drew,
You have had a good month. Sports are still keeping you busy. You are loving basketball so much. You are doing really well, it is so fun watching you play b-ball. You have scored some 3 pointers and often score 10 points or more in a game. It is fun seeing you so excited about it. You are such a great teammate and you are always high-fiving your teammates. It is obvious you feel like a leader on the b-ball team and it is fun seeing you in that role. You season ended last weekend with a tournament. Your team tied for first place in the league and then your team won the tournament. It was so much fun seeing your excitement. Wyatt and I were bummed to miss your championship game since Wyatt was sick.
Soccer continues you to keep you busy. You have played a few games at Soccer Nation and quite a few games at Legends 4 v4. You have officially started outdoor soccer and it is fun getting back outside. You are playing on both Academy and Pre-Academy. You see yourself as a leader on Pre and it shows on the field. You were very vocal at one of your games last weekend, making sure you get your team organized. I was really impressed watching you. You are such a nice kid and I think your peers look up to you.
In math you have been studying statistics and you come home telling me all about it. It does not surprise Dad or I how much you love it. You have always loved sports and numbers, so studying statistics is perfect for you likes. I really truly think you will do something math related for a job someday and something with statistics specifically.
We are looking forward to this next month. Spring break is almost here!
Love you buddy,
Mom and Dad
You have had a good month. Sports are still keeping you busy. You are loving basketball so much. You are doing really well, it is so fun watching you play b-ball. You have scored some 3 pointers and often score 10 points or more in a game. It is fun seeing you so excited about it. You are such a great teammate and you are always high-fiving your teammates. It is obvious you feel like a leader on the b-ball team and it is fun seeing you in that role. You season ended last weekend with a tournament. Your team tied for first place in the league and then your team won the tournament. It was so much fun seeing your excitement. Wyatt and I were bummed to miss your championship game since Wyatt was sick.
Soccer continues you to keep you busy. You have played a few games at Soccer Nation and quite a few games at Legends 4 v4. You have officially started outdoor soccer and it is fun getting back outside. You are playing on both Academy and Pre-Academy. You see yourself as a leader on Pre and it shows on the field. You were very vocal at one of your games last weekend, making sure you get your team organized. I was really impressed watching you. You are such a nice kid and I think your peers look up to you.
In math you have been studying statistics and you come home telling me all about it. It does not surprise Dad or I how much you love it. You have always loved sports and numbers, so studying statistics is perfect for you likes. I really truly think you will do something math related for a job someday and something with statistics specifically.
We are looking forward to this next month. Spring break is almost here!
Love you buddy,
Mom and Dad
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