Internet Woes

We're all online this week except for our internet, which has decided it no longer wants to play nice. It started acting up  a few days ago and has declined since then. Multiple calls to the provider, a new router and modem, lots of frustration by all, and now maybe we're up for business.

Or not. As I typed this, the intermittent service continues. Sigh. The tech comes on Wednesday.

Jason's Inventions

He's started drawing...and inventing again!

Paint gun!

We're Rolling in the Produce Now!

Woohoo! We're on a roll! We picked these this afternoon!

Friday Five

The second week of school for the boys brought a bit more drama as everyone is still getting used to online learning. I can understand where they're coming from - it's hard for adults to have to remember to be at "meetings" at certain times while trying to manage mostly independent work loads. Sigh. We powered through, though, and all was good in the end.

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Speaking of online learning, I also started work this week, which is always an adjustment for us all while we figure out the new routine. Couple that with my being here, but not "here" for them to access has been hard for us all.

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Our little garden is getting so big! We've got a few peppers that are almost ready to be picked with a few more starting their process. The tomatoes are all ripening nicely. So exciting!

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We got a call that our couch and love seat will be delivered on Saturday the 5th! That means we have to get a move on painting and rearranging to get it ready. Looks like we'll be busy this weekend. Can't wait!

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Even with all of the time we've had since school was last in session, I still feel like summer flew by. I don't think any of us was ready for school to start...even when school is at home. Sniff, sniff.

Behold!

We got our first tomato from our garden!

Shawn ate it and says it was yummy!

Way Back Wednesday

This day in 2016. One of my favorites of this face! 🤗🥰

A Little More Color!

We've finally got some color on these tomatoes!

Self Portrait

One of Jack's first assignments was to draw a self portrait. He started off really good...but he was totally over the rather long lesson by the end. You can sort of tell that he hit his limit right around the coloring portion. Ha!

We've Failed

Somehow we allowed this kid to make it nearly 13 years on this Earth without teaching him how to eat a taco! How could that be? I am still shaking my head at this discovery!

Then...when we pointed out that he was eating the taco "wrong", he had the audacity to try to eat the taco from the center! What is this world coming to? Are we all just going to plummet to complete chaos and insanity?! lol

We must rectify this failure and redeem ourselves immediately. This child shall become a taco connoisseur. I see many tacos in his future to prepare him for his new destiny. Just wait! :)

Hm...

Jason decided that his home grown carrot resembled something other than a carrot...

Can you see it?

Doesn't it look like a little carrot leg? lol

Friday Five

Well, the first week of school is in the books! Three days of learning down this school year...only 177 to go! :)

Considering the potential for issues, this week has gone relatively okay. There have been glitchy video moments, a few times of being unable to log in, and even some confusion about the overall schedule and when/who does what, but we got through it. Next week will bring the new challenge of me also being online at the same time, so that is when the real test will begin. Eek!

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The one part we all really like about schooling at home is that we are so much less stressed and hurried in the morning. The boys get a whole extra half an hour to get done with breakfast and getting ready, and it makes ALL the difference.

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The big boys had to do some physical activity and mark their pulses before and after they exercised. Both boys chose swimming. It was the perfect solution to exercising when it is hotter than heck outside. I am so, so glad we have our little pool. They both continued the activity while they broke up blocks of ice with a hammer. LOL. They LOVED that part, too!

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Jack has to complete an "All About Me" slide show for his class. He spent this afternoon walking around the house taking pictures of everything so he could include it in his slide show. It is too cute. It has been nice that I've been able to sit there and give him one on one computer training. I'm not sure how he'd manage all of this technical stuff without someone there to walk him through it the first time. I feel for all of the kiddos who have no one who can do that for them.

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Did I mention it's been hot? Sheesh. Hot, hot, hot. Inside and out!

Smile!

This kid makes me smile. 😍

First Day of School!

Today was the boys' first day of school!

While it may not have looked like a traditional school year, they managed to humor their mother and give me some traditional first day pictures. :)

The big boys spent from 9 - 2 in online classes. They met all six of their teachers and got introductions to all of their classes. They did SO well! So proud of them!

Jack spent just under 2 hours online.

When he was done with that, he spent time doing some independent work. He had to read and take a test, practice some math facts online, and write a letter of introduction to his teacher.

Dear mrs XXX,
My name is jackson. I am 9 years old. I live in XXX with my brothers and my mom and dad. My pets are a cat and a fish. Their names are ringo and gracie. I like to play with cars play games and more. Every day i go out and swim in the pool. I also like to play with legos. And the last thing i can do is play my game on my ipad. I am good at soccer. Im also good at doing my work and do chores. I need more help with math because i want to get good at it. I like going to school online but i dont like getting incorrect answers. I worry being online will make me miss things.  I want you to know i am a good kid.
Jackson

I think it's pretty cute, and pretty dead on how I would describe him. That last line, too...ugh. Gets me right in the feels.

The day ended where it has ended every day since this latest heat wave began...in the pool!

Here's hoping everyone has a great year!

Stinker!

This afternoon we needed to add more water to the pool because the boys are constantly trying to perfect their cannon ball maximum splash technique. Shawn’s asked if he could help fill the pool.

I should have seen it coming, but he looks so sincere when he sets me up lately. (Little stinker)

"I’ll hold the hose..."

"Hey dad! Come here, I need your help..." 

His “tell” is the last minute giggle. Fortunately, it gives me about 2 seconds to react and get the heck out of the way!

What They're Reading

Jack - Jack finished Fourth Grade Rats and has moved on to Fourth Grade Fuss by Johanna Hurwitz. Says Jack, "It's about a boy named Julio. It's his birthday. He's in the hospital." Sounds like an interesting book!

Shawn - Shawn today finished reading the book Who Was Anne Frank? by Ann Abramson. Shawn says that "Anne had to hide from the Nazis."

Jason - Jason finished his book The Legend of Greg today. He is waiting for the second book in the series.

This Kid!

This kid lost another tooth today - the second tooth in three days! He says he has another loose one waiting to fall out soon, too!

Cute Big Guy Saturday

Today was the start of a heat wave around these parts. Naturally, the only place to be is in the pool!

Friday Five

Well, we are all sad to see the last weekend of the summer has arrived. The boys start school on Wednesday. We went and picked up books for everyone this week. We have Jack's class assignment. He approves of his teacher, which is nice. The other two can get their schedules on Monday afternoon.

We still have a couple of questions regarding when they actually have "class" times, but I expect that to get ironed out over the next few days.

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We've found another critter in our garden this week. A katydid was crawling around on the pepper plants. First time we've seen one of them out there.

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Jason's desk area in the boys' bedroom is almost complete. He now has a desk, a shelving unit, and a pretty cool chair. All that's left is some classes to take!

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Jack lost a tooth this week! It was too funny. He's been complaining about this tooth hurting when it was wiggling, so he was reluctant to let us actually pull it out. He did let his dad feel it, but he quickly pulled away. He didn't realize that he pulled away without his tooth! When Jack realized it was gone, he let out a little shocked scream. Made us laugh!

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Shawn has been doing SO well on his math and reading! I am so, so proud of his hard work. He was proud of himself, too, which makes my heart so happy! ❤️

Helper

Jack helped me put together some storage cubes for the big boys' bedroom. Project "Desk area" is almost done. :)

Creator

Getting creative with polymer clay. Fun!