Tag: COVID-19

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We survived distance learning!

What a year! Such an understatement.

It’s hard to sum up all of the thoughts and feeling I have about what took place during the 2020-2021 school year. The kids were resilient and grew in ways that Jake and I are so proud of. They tried new things, were flexible in numerous areas, and handled frustrations and challenges better than I ever expected.

Today was spent doing “fun” things – Shecklet #4 had a virtual dance lesson, award ceremony, and watched a movie. Shecklet #3 ended the day with making play dough. Shecklet #2 was effectively done yesterday because his teachers said he didn’t have to log in today. But I asked him to pose for a last day photo for me and he willingly agreed 😊

All three of these kids are looking forward to going back to school in person in the fall. I hope for their sake it can be as close to normal as possible for them. 💛

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Final day of 8th grade

It’s the end of an era for Shecklet #1. He started at his charter school back in the fall of 2012 and finished (via distance learning) today, June 16, 2021. When he started as a kindergartner, it was difficult to imagine him as an 8th grader. And yet, here we are.

First day of school photos: K-8. 8th grade isn’t a uniform photo because uniforms weren’t required while distance learning. And I didn’t have them pose for a second round of photos with them on 😊.

Last day of 8th grade. No more covid hair!

Tonight was the 8th grade banquet. He finally had an opportunity to see many familiar faces in person and mask-free and put an exclamation point at the end of his middle school chapter.

The two teachers in the picture above were constants in Shecklet #1’s life these last two years. The teacher on the right was Shecklet #1’s social studies teacher in 7th and 8th grade as well as his homeroom/cohort teacher. The lovely lady on the left was his case manager for 7th and 8th grade. This past year she was also his math teacher and worked with him on grammar skills every day. It’s safe to say that she knows him the best out of all of his teachers.

At tonight’s program, Shecklet #1 was surprised by being acknowledged with two awards – the “President’s Award for Educational Achievement” and the “PBIS SPARK Award.” We are so proud of what he has accomplished, how he has persevered – especially when things were hard, and look forward to watching him continue to grow as he starts high school in the fall – online!

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Ultimate Frisbee State Tourney

This weekend was the middle school ultimate frisbee state tournament. The kids played on turf fields – something new, and definitely different than the long-grassed, lumpy fields of their regular season. It was also HOT.

Did I mention it was HOT?

Three games were played on Saturday – all wins. Three more games were played on Sunday, including the championship game that was almost won. The score was 8-9 and time ran out. It was disappointing to see the team lose, but there were definitely things that were learned in the areas of sportsmanship (what not to do.) I joked with Jake that our kids’ team of 10 was fielded from 6 families and their opponents had 30+ kids and conservatively, coming from what I’d imagine was at least 20 families. Our kids are champions in my book!

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Top Golf

While the boys were at their first two frisbee games today, Jake and I attended the 2021 DVA golf fundraiser for the kids’ school.

This year’s format was different from previous years – thanks to covid. However, it was still really fun! We teamed up with our friends Tom and Melissa and met a new couple who happened to be parents of one of Shecklet #3’s classmates.

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2021 Nissedalen fun 2021 – 1

Work and play day at the lake. Super hot temps meant the water felt extra refreshing today. Aunt Kristin took the kids tubing, I brought Grandma Lois to pick out flowers and then helped plant them, there was a group effort to blow up the water trampoline, and Jake and the boys helped install a new antenna.

Shecklet #4 asked me to take a few photos of just the two of us.

Blowing up the trampoline.

The Shecklets love their great grandma!

Jake grilled pork chops for us and tenderloin for Grandma Lois & Uncle Steve. His grilling post to FB was pretty funny: “In Nissedalen I like to be even though there is no charcoal. Made a little porkpourri.”

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A kabob

Shecklet #4 has been asking for a haircut for a while. Our friend/stylist was able to fit her in this afternoon – last minute. She asked for a “kabob” and I don’t have the heart to correct her – to tell her it’s a “bob.” It’s just too cute.

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Never gonna give you up…

9.5 days of school left and counting…

I think we are all getting a little nutty as the distance learning school year draws to an end. This kid is always making us laugh 😆

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First “real” ride of 2021 🚴‍♂️

Jake took the kids on their first mountain bike ride today. His parents met him at Carver Lake trails. Afterwards, they went to his parents’ house for a bit. I stayed home due to a lingering migraine 😖. I didn’t think the sun and bouncing would be good for my head today. Instead, I finished up the second process of the tie dyed shirts, cleaned the garage, touched up the mailbox paint, and pulled weeds. We ended the evening swimming with friends (well the kids swam, the adults supervised.) It was a great end to a full weekend.

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Finished tie dyed shirts

The colors are so much fun! We have extra dye, so I need to find some other ways to use up our supplies.

Update: 6/2/21 – the Shecklets dyed four more shirts last night. Here they are today.

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Tie Dye Sunday night

Aunt Larissa always brings the fun. Tonight it was color. Lots of color. Can’t wait to see how everyone’s tie dye shirts turn out!