Coronavirus Chronicles: Part 13

This week the girls started attending staff childcare at my school. From 7:35-2:20, I teach six online classes in my library, while the girls do their online learning in another classroom. Four school employees assist seven staff children with their online learning. The girls practice social distancing, wear masks all day, and wash their hands often. Although school is different this year, the girls seem to enjoy getting up early, coming to school with me, and having some limited interaction with other children and adults.

Savannah bought some artificial nails with her chore money. She has been wearing her purple sparkly nails all week!

Hadley loves her gold sparkly high heels!

Some of Hadley's writing from the first two weeks of Kindergarten:

Our family attended outdoor Spirit Night at Dairy Queen. We enjoyed seeing the teachers from our school, eating ice cream, and raising money for our school. We wore masks and practiced social distancing at the event.

This morning the girls and I hiked one mile at the waterfall park with our friends Amanda and Tyson. We enjoyed getting some exercise, spending time in nature, and wading in the creeks.

First Week of School

We completed our first week of school for 2020-2021!  Hadley started Kindergarten. Savannah started 6th grade. I started my 22nd year of teaching. We're doing online learning until at least October 22. This is not how the girls envisioned starting elementary school and middle school. They miss interacting with their teachers and friends inside the school building. This school year is going to be different and challenging, but we're going to work hard, learn a lot, and have fun! 

Hadley's class read a book about farm animals. Hadley drew a picture of her favorite character in the book (the sheep). 

We got frozen yogurt to celebrate our first day of school!

Neuse River Trail

On Friday night, our family biked/walked 2.2 miles on a section of the Mountains to Sea and Neuse River Trail that we'd never explored before. We enjoyed hiking down to the gushing river, biking under the overpass, and crossing over bridges. We even saw two deer on the trail!

Sanford Creek Trail

On Thursday night, our family biked/walked 2.9 miles on a new trail. We enjoyed getting some fresh air and exercise after sitting in front of our laptops all day during online learning and working. 

Coronavirus Chronicles: Part 12

Last weekend I took the girls back-to-school shopping for clothes, backpacks, and school supplies. Hadley filled her pencil box with pencils, crayons, scissors, and glue since she will be unable to share supplies with her classmates due to the coronavirus.

Hadley wore her new unicorn backpack outside when she played outside in our backyard during "recess."

Savannah made Rainbow Loom rings and gave them to her friends as gifts.

For the first time in 5 months, we attended service at our church last Sunday. Before the service began, Hadley stuck "pimples" on her face.

Although you can't see Hadley in the photo below, she hid herself behind the baskets and pillows and then asked me to find her. 

Savannah made an unicorn panda and unicorn pug out of melty Perler beads.

So detailed and creative!

Hadley loved making castles out of red Solo cups...and then knocking them down. 

Hadley ate a popsicle on a summer day. 

Hadley napped with her green blanket on her pillow and snuggled with Puppy, Ellie the Unicorn, and Pinky Bear. Hadley loves soft and cozy items!

Coronavirus Chronicles: Part 11

Well, it's been almost five months since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Last week our governor extended Phase 2 until September 11. We continue to wear masks and practice social distancing in public. Gyms, churches, libraries, and playgrounds are still closed. The girls and I start remote learning on August 17. Tal will be working from home until (at least) the end of 2020. 

On July 18, water from our upstairs air conditioning unit leaked through our kitchen ceiling:

Our family enjoyed hiking 1.4 miles at Joyner Park:

Savannah finished a 500-piece puzzle!

Hadley asked me to curl her hair:

Savannah used Perler beads to make a mermaid:

Hadley put on my lipstick (and hers):

Savannah was excited to hit the pool in her new swimsuit:

Tal finished applying two coats of semi-transparent chocolate stain to our deck...

...and painting the railings:

Savannah and Hadley loved staying at Grandma Barbara's house last week. They loved playing, swimming, and shopping with their cousin Harper. Check out Savannah, Harper, and Hadley modeling their new outfits from Grandma Barbara:

During Hurricane Isaias, Grandma Barbara, Gran, and the girls spent the night with Uncle Benny and Aunt EJ. Thankfully, everyone fared well during the storm. 

Hadley and Gran

While the girls stayed with Grandma Barbara last week, Tal and I enjoyed getting take-out for dinner every night, shopping for a new bed, and hiking 3.5 miles on a new trail. 

During our hike, we saw 8 deer. (5 are pictured below.)

Tal went golfing with his F3 buddies, so the girls and I had a girls day. We biked 1.5 miles on a new trail and then picked up pizza for lunch (the girls' choice). 

Tal took the girls on a Daddy-Daughter date, so I could have some personal time. They went biking at the park in our neighborhood. Then, Tal took the girls to Target, where they used their chore money to buy some candy and art supplies.

Hadley starts Kindergarten next week, which means that Tal and I are done paying for daycare after 11 straight years. Tal and I are grateful that our careers enabled us to pay for safe, loving, and educational childcare for our girls, but we're looking forward to having more discretionary income in our monthly budget.