Return to Class!

Today is Friday and we couldn't be happier. Scott is looking forward to a weekend of watching sports and relaxing. Timmy is excited about enjoying a few days respite before the new semester begins. But Robby is probably the happiest of everybody. While everybody else is looking forward to the start of the weekend, he is ecstatic to return to his enrichment classes today.

It has been a long few weeks for my Koopa. He adores his Friday gaming classes and has missed playing and seeing his friends during the winter break. He has been counting down the days until his classes resumed. Today is the day!

Last semester Robby and his friends strategized and schemed to change the course of the Civil War during their role playing game class. All semester long Robby and his buddies worked for hours throughout the week to solidify their plans for the following Friday. When he came out of class on his final Friday of the semester, his smile was shining brighter than the Christmas trees. Much to their teacher's chagrin, the boys managed to break out of the Southern army, create their own forces and overturn both factions to establish their own government. They had managed to win the Civil War. 

Today marks the beginning of a new role playing adventure for Robby. It also marks the beginning of my driving season as I chauffeur him to and from his activities. Thankfully he is pretty good company in the car, and his enthusiasm definitely makes it worth my effort.

Finishing UP

I didn't think that I would cry watching Kamala Harris take the oath of office. As soon as she placed her hand on the bible, my eyes started to swell with tears. By the time she was officially sworn in as Vice-President, I was full on ugly crying in my living room. 

As I was watching the ceremony, my mind drifted back to my 4th grade teacher. I so vividly remember him standing in front of our class when we were learning about the Executive branch of government. The conversation drifted to Ronald Reagan vs. Walter Mondale, and Geraldine Ferraro being on the ballot. I will never forget him emphatically declaring that a woman would never be elected to the Executive branch in this country. 

 It took a long time, but he was finally proven wrong. I am so excited that little girls everywhere are waking up this morning with a gender role model in the Executive branch. I look forward to the day when these elections are no longer breaking barriers or shattering glass ceilings. Slowly but surely, I think we are getting there.

Today is dedicated to finishing the semester strong. Robby has two finals to complete, and Timmy needs to complete two more worksheets and read a story through video. Both boys have been procrastinating on their final projects, but today they need to be complete. I would like to kick off the weekend tomorrow with an empty agenda.

Wish us luck, because trying to get them to finish these projects has been like pulling teeth!

Welcome 46!

I woke up this morning smiling, thinking about how yesterday was the last day this country has never had a female in the executive branch. Regardless of your political affiliation or preference in candidate, the fact that a female Vice-President is being sworn into her position today is a monumental step. I love watching glass ceilings begin to crack!

Per family tradition, today we will all watch the Inauguration. This is the first one that Timmy will understand, or at least be aware of, because he was only 2 when the 45th President was sworn into office. He is excited about the Inauguration, although he is probably going to be disappointed when he realizes that cake and candles aren't involved.

Happy Inauguration Day!

Abracadabra

Slowly but surely, we are making our way through mid-term week. Robby has successfully completed the first semester of World Cultures and English. He is part way through his Algebra midterm and he has yet to attempt German and Biology. Timmy is done with the first semester of Kindergarten Math, Science and Social Studies. He needs to finish English by the end of the week, which is only going to require a few hours of attention and work.  Once this week is over I think we will all breath a sigh of relief.

Yesterday Timmy and I took a break from his academics to participate in a magic class. He has been enthralled by magic over the past few weeks and has been watching YouTube videos to try to learn tricks. I was delighted when I discovered a free Zoom magic class for Martin Luther King Day. My little guy was ecstatic and eagerly soaked up every moment of the opportunity.

After the magic class, he spent the majority of his time practicing his tricks and trying to refine his act. (His trick involves cutting paper strips and transforming them into rings with only scissors and slight of hand.) In the evening, after a lot of work and many sheets of paper, he performed his "act" for his Nana via video chat. She was appropriately impressed by his newly discovered magical abilities.  

Today we are back to the books, hoping to wrap up the first semester in the next few days. I am looking forward to relaxing (albeit for only a few days) before we embark on semester 2. What I would give for a vacation right now!

Hiking

The majority of the weekend was spent outside, hiking through our woods searching for one million dollars. Although Timmy and I failed in our quest, we had a great time trying. The weather was gorgeous and being outside and active was a wonderful break from reality. 

This is the final week of the first semester of school for both Robby and Timmy, which means that our days will be hectic and chaotic as they try to finish up the last minute projects, assignments and finals. It is going to be a rough few days, so I am grateful that I was able to relax and unwind before the school turmoil begins.  Wish us luck!

Dance Party

My goodness I'm sore this morning. Unlike most times, today I am sore from activity and not from phantom pain. I have to admit, it is a refreshing change. 

The weather was absolutely gorgeous with bright blue skies, yellow sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures. Timmy and I decided to take an extended recess and played outside all afternoon. He was thrilled to be able to revisit one of his favorite places, our stream, to splash and search for interesting rocks and treasures. (He found two cans and a golf ball, which delighted him as if it were Christmas morning.)

After several hours playing outside, he finally agreed to come inside for clean and dry clothes. Almost as soon as he was stripped from his wet clothes and redressed it was time for him to login for a virtual dance party. He danced and rocked out with his friends for another 45 minutes. While he partied on camera, I have to admit that I was dancing in the kitchen. 

By the time the day was over, Timmy and I were both tired. I looked at my pedometer and realized that I had logged 21,000 steps throughout the day. My goodness, no wonder I was tired! As I was going to bed I was reminded that I am so lucky to be able to spend this time with the boys. They are exhausting and frustrating at times, but it is worth it. 

Circle Time Adventures

Circle Time, which was previously a battle with Timmy, has become a favorite part of his weekly schedule. He enjoys connecting with his classmates and his teacher. Each week has a different theme which the teacher interweaves with reading, math and basic calendar skills. Although it is not in a traditional brick and mortar classroom, it is definitely an authentic school experience.  

In order to help debunk technical issues that may occur during the live streaming class, I continue to stay close during class. With the exception of crafts, Timmy no longer needs my assistance during the activities. Being able to sit next to him and work on my own computer has been wonderful.

Yesterday, his teacher led the class on reading a new book about bears. Each student took a page to read aloud. I was delighted when I heard Timmy read his page smoothly. His teacher was also proud of his improvement in reading and offered praise,  "Timmy, you did a great job reading.  Good girl!"  

Quick to correct his teacher, Timmy piped up. "You called me a girl. I'm a boy. You forgot that I have a very fine penis." 

I can't be certain, but I'm fairly certain I heard his teacher's husband spit his coffee across their table as Timmy spoke. I then saw him walking away, laughing hysterically. Without missing a beat, his teacher apologized for calling him and girl and quickly moved to the next activity.

I have to hand it to his teacher, she transitions like a pro. Timmy is definitely giving her a run for her money!