Thanksgiving 2020/Long weekend

Thankful to have a super long holiday weekend...  I needed it!  I needed to not have to balance work and the kids at the same time. 

Kids were out of school starting Wednesday...  we did get a little bored, but I took off Wednesday afternoon and hung out with them.  We got some snow so we played outside a little too.  Boomer just freaking loves it!!   

Thursday was Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to be with our families... however, we did have Mike & JeanAnn over.  We figured they had been somewhat quarantined for awhile, as we had been away from most people too...  that having them in for a couple hours, would be ok.  And it was a nice day.  We ordered from HyVee - they were providing holiday meals, and it was perfect.  WE had enough, plenty, but it was good...  and honestly, nice to be home, and not have to drive anywhere.  

My family did stuff on their own, separately too.  Dad was home alone, which was sad, but he seemed ok.  With Covid, I know he's nervous about being around people, so he chose to stay home.  Hopefully by next year, things will be calmed down and we can see everyone more. 

Other than that, the rest of the weekend was nice.  We put "Christmas" up at the house - both trees, decorating and winter candles were started.  It was a busy day on Friday - and I was POOPED.  I had so many steps in that day...  my back and feet hurt!  I'm old!  But everything looks really nice... 

Saturday and Sunday we just hung out.  Did a few errands here and there.  Ryan took the kids to the Lifetime pool, just to do something different.  I relaxed a lot.  It was good.  

Weekend

Wow, the weekend is over again...  I can't believe how fast weekends go.  It's almost sickening!!

Now that basketball is suspended, we don't have much going on.  I'm finding that we are a tad bored, but of course, I'm finding crap to do at home, like always.  Plus I've started Christmas shopping.  YUK.  But we are getting some things off the list, and decorations will go up the day after Thanksgiving. 

Saturday we just messed around at home.  It was Boomer's 1st birthday, so we spoiled him and loved on him a lot.  Iowa played, so we watched them.  Pretty low key day.  Cora had a little birthday party to attend - virtually.  Because everything is virtual now a days.  It was neat, they met on zoom, talked a little...  then went their separate ways and watched a Christmas movie.  It was a nice evening. 

Today - church is online as well now...  so just chilled at home all morning.  Cora had dance.  Ryan and K shot hoops, then K went over to Hud's for a bit.   I'm realizing that Cora and Kayson need time apart.  They are going to kill each other.  

Boomer's 1st Birthday!!!

BOOMER!!! 

Happy birthday to Boomer (on Saturday, November 21)... our crazy, 3rd child!!

He's wild, he's loud, he's feisty, but oh so sweet and loveable.  :)  

He loves a good ice cube to chase around.

He loves to play hide and seek with Cora - literally, Cora throws the tennis ball, while Boomer chases it, she hides...  and we ask him to 'find sissy', and he looks all over for her.  It's awesome.  Such a good game they play. 

Walks during the fall season - when leaves are falling or on the ground... equals a very distracted Boomer!  He loves to chase leaves!

Boomer hates Fridays --- it's garbage day!!  He freaks out at the sound or sight of a garbage truck, he is petrified!! 

The kennel was not a good thing for this guy... so we gave in, and he sleeps with us.  

Boomer has been a joy for our family...  yes, he's a lot of work, and totally the 3rd child and wants attention ALL THE TIME.  But he's fun, and sweet. 

Cora 2nd Grade Fall Conference

Cora had her 2nd grade Fall conference last night... virtually.  Everything is virtual.  Damn Coronavirus!

Miss Butcher is a delight, I really like her... She explained that Cora is doing super well, she's a helper, she's a leader, she's learning as she should... all the good things.  We obviously were pleased. 

Cora and Miss Butcher made some goals --- 

Work on telling time

Work on double digit adding and subtracting

Continue to read challenging texts at her reading level (which is M)

Cora's FAST test results:

Reading score = 488, which is well over the 2nd grade expectation

There wasn't a math score... so we will hopefully get that in the winter.

Overall - great!  Super pleased with her!

Online Learning update

Well, Cora returned to school last Thursday (November 12).  All was well, but the COVID numbers just continued to rise.  So effective today (November 20), all Waukee schools will be online learners.  

We are setting her up in the basement (in the spare bedroom)... at least for now.  I don't really know what it will all look like, so that's where we are starting.  #crossingfingers

Kayson has been home/online for awhile now...  and it's going well. I am pleased - he is in class all day minus lunch and his one study hall.  I can handle that.  He rarely comes and 'bothers' me, which is nice.  I hope he stays focused and this continues to go well. 

When she returned to school - hair curled and ready!

Online Learning

COVID is spreading like wildfire here in the Midwest, still.  And luckily, still, our little family is good/healthy.  

But with the spread...  our schools are starting to transition to online learning.  

Effective today (Wednesday, November 11), Kayson's middle school (South Middle) is online.  He will begin officially tomorrow (because why would they start the first day?!)  #irritated

But with that, and based on the schedule - he SHOULD be busy all day minus his one study hall and lunchtime.  I can handle that.   I pray it goes ok.  

Word has it that they will be online through Thanksgiving break, but honestly - I think they'll be home through Christmas break.  More to come. 

Cora returns to school tomorrow!  Hooray!  I love her, but man, she needs to be away from me.  And her online learning (as it has been great), is just not enough.  It's only about 2 hours in the day... just not enough for her.  And that's tough.  

So...  that's the status now...  

Weekend

In between basketball, we were busy. 

Saturday was basketball all morning. 

Cora went to production practice for a couple hours.  During that time, I was actually able to visit with a few of the other dance moms.  It was a nice couple hours getting to know them better. 

We drove down to Creston to visit Uncle Bill, as Saturday was the 1 year anniversary of losing him.  (losing Murphy too).  Breaks my heart.  We had a nice drive down... and stayed at the grave for a little while.  We then visited JeanAnn.  She seems to be doing better...  

Saturday night we were home... but Ryan was gone doing some work for church.  

Sunday after basketball, we were home and enjoyed it.  I got groceries done, did some yard work, and also relaxed...  

Knights Basketball tourny #1

Saturday and Sunday was Kayson's basketball teams first tournament.  They had a league game last week, that went fairly well (for their first game, and not knowing a ton about each other, etc.)  The tournament was here in DSM, so that was nice, and we could all attend.  Saturday's games - they went 1 and 1.  Cora and I were able to see most of the first game, and Kayson did well - has really improved in his aggressiveness!!  

Sunday morning was game 3, and unfortunately it wasn't like a 6th grade basketball game - it was more like a rugby battle.  The refs let the game get pretty rough and out of control (which was frustrating as it should be), but our kids battled - and they battled hard.  We did end up losing.  So we were then done for the day. 

The team has some work to do, obviously, but I think they are a good team and good coaches.  It should be a good season. 

Tough to get decent pictures from my crappy phone camera!

COVID Exposure update

Cora's test results came back negative.  Awesome. 

She continues to show no symptoms as well.  Awesome. 

It's now Wednesday, we have been home together for 3 days...  it's going ok.  She half enjoys being here, and then half does not!  I think I feel the same!  She has work to do for school, which is great - she logs on for a reading and math lesson each day, which is good too.  

She's missing dance as well... which is hard for her.  She is able to do ZOOM meetings with her dance class, but we've done this before - and it's definitely not the same.  BUT it's something!  We've talked with Miss Charlee throughout this whole thing (along with 10 other families dealing with this as well!), and we've decided that if Cora continues to show no symptoms, she'll be able to attend production practice on Saturday. #crossingfingers

Earlier this week I did find out that she was 'exposed' during lunch time...  and apparently she was not at the positive child's table, but close enough that she is considered exposed.  I struggle with this - I mean, it could be overkill, but the school is doing their job - they are trying to keep everyone safe.  I get it.  But then I also think - why?  

Nothing we can do now...  we are here - 14 days quarantined from school.  And we are just 7 days in.