Phew! I’m exhausted! What a year!

I’m so proud of these kids for preserving through laggy videos, poor connections, and teacher foreheads (Canton science!). They learned to do digital worksheets, canvas short answers, seesaw, dreambox, code spark, Epic, so many apps, and zoom of course!

Despite the virtual environment they made friends, had lots of learning growth, made bread, ate lunch together, and never missed a day of school!!

Mrs Allen was always so positive and engaging, Adleigh learned so much this year! Everyone knew her as the “flamingo whisperer” and she loved to do math and reading groups. She made so many friends and I’m sure first grade will be so exciting!

Check out this video of Adleigh and her classmates doing riddles

https://youtu.be/ls7-RFjOuGghttps://youtu.be/ls7-RFjOuGg

Liberty had Ms Friedman and went from missing 20+ days in K and first to not missing a beat this year. She grew in reading and math and even writing, although she didn’t always want to do it. She also shared her work and reflections almost everyday, she rarely talked in the classroom before. She loved to do her work at her own pace and found great happiness in art this year with Mrs DeBerry. I’m thrilled to have her home next year doing virtual again in the environment she learns best and is happiest.

Canton dealt with a whole middle school move in a virtual environment with such determination and learned to take responsibility for his learning. Although some teachers were better equipped for virtual than others he slogged through gizmos and kahoots and emailed teachers when he had a question or to point out where they had made a mistake (graciously of course 🙂 He learned so much about organizing his files, tracking his assignments, and did it all with straight As. I can’t imagine how high this kid is going to fly! Selfishly I loved all the brother and son hugs we were able to get this year before he is a too cool true middle schooler.

I am so thankful to have spent this year watching them learn, grow, and love.

Pool fun

Making a squirrel table

2 more weeks of school!

Due to Covid and hating the neighborhood pool we set up our own 🙂

The girls were a big help getting it set up, very different from setting up Rhonda and Greg’s so many years ago. They insisted on getting in at a balmy 68 degrees (just for a moment I’m not a monster) but it has be warming up and has gotten to 77. A few more degrees and mike and I might be able to get it. 15 more for Nanny 🙂

Video insert here

12 years ago at 11:14 am you (quite literally) burst into our lives and it has never been the same!

Although we are still in Covid we tried to make it a fun day.

You woke up with your new Queen shirt and watched a Star Trek with dad. The girls and I bust into History class (after instruction) just in time for your birthday moment to sing to you!

(Video)

You enjoyed a potsticker lunch

We had fun dancing at 12:34

We got to FaceTime with Nanny and Rhonda, we had Poppy, Grandma, and Beth last night. Then we enjoyed a great steak dinner and brownies.

Card from Pap!

Happy Birthday Canton! We love you to the sun and back!

Dear Canton,

Happy Birthday Sunshine! 12 years ago you burst into our lives and now you begin the trek toward adulthood, it has been a joy each and every day.

As I write you a letter each year it is important to reflect on the milestones and growth you experience. This year has been like no other.  A few months ago you could easily rest your head on my shoulder and now I have to lift my chin for you to fit under it. You are only going to get bigger, but I hope I can always hold you close. You didn’t get a big birthday celebration for 11 and you won’t have one for 12. While a lot of the world has had to deal with anxiety, hardship, and tragedy we have been so lucky here within these walls. We have been together all day every day for over a year, while some of those days tend to blur together, many stand out, holidays, report card days, and when you create something magical like your self portrait or compose a song in band.  May you continue to grow, be flexible, find joy, be proud, and be present in each moment.

You have been a truly incredible brother. There are not many tween boys that would make sure to include their 5 and 7 year old sisters in daily life. You have looked out for them, made them laugh, helped them create, and just loved them, in a pandemic that is no small feat. You have taught them Minecraft, launched them on the trampoline, and perfected reading the Pigeon books. May you continue to be a role model and cherish your sisters.

You have learned to begin to understand the privilege you have, continue to use that for good. The world has changed a lot in these last few years and you have begun to understand how much you have and the obligation to make the world better. It is not always easy to do the right thing, but it is always the right thing. May you always have empathy and be a light in the world.

You have made straight A’s all year! Even though you have pretty much always done that to do that, doing it while completely changing school is a big freaking deal. You transitioned from a warm loving fifth grade teacher to learning from a screen in your room. In the third quarter you had all 100%! You have grown tremendously in writing and will be taking Algebra I as a seventh grader! I know you desperately miss theatre and live band but we have enjoyed watching you sing and dance each day. You have certainly thrived “Under Pressure”. I am in awe of how you handled the challenges of this past year. May you continue to have grace and a song in your heart.

One of my favorite parts of this year has been eating lunch together with the girls each day, something that would not have been possible any other time once you entered school.  Your schedule has changed a few times this year but lunch together always made each of us gather and reflect, and whenever you got out early and could join us for 1-2-3-4 it was a great day! I also love that we play Monopoly Deal together most days of the week, this time together is precious and I will never forget it. May you always put yourself and family first and treasure time together.

My firstborn, my only son, there is so much better inside me because of you. Your hugs heal me each day and your smile and laugh is the sunshine needed in the dreary moments. You are a gift. I am so thankful for you. As you continue your path leading more into the world please know I am always right behind you. I will always be here when you turn your light around back on us or fall or get lost along the way. I cannot wait to see what you do next!

Cheers to 12 years!

LOVE YOU SUNSHINE!!!!

Happy Mother’s Day! Mom got her 2nd COVID vaccination on Friday so we’ve had a quiet Mother’s Day weekend. The kids each made her their own card, helped Dad create some planters that spell out MOM with their names and handprints on the back, and stayed up late last night baking a home made cookie cake! (One year dad will get the recipe right)

Mom has been Super Mom this past year helping everyone deal with staying home, managing school work, and showering us all with love each and every single day. One day a year is not enough to show our love and gratitude to Mom. Thank you for your love and what you do for each of us everyday. You bring out the best in us and are always there with your love and support. We love you!!