Engaged

Today was a stressful morning of back to back calls starting at 7:30 (downside of clients in Ireland and east coast colleagues). And of course, me being on the phone means Calvin does his own thing. Today his new book won out over class. He spent the morning “listening” to class while reading a chapter book we got at the little free library on Sunday. He was very engrossed in this book and ended up finishing it as well. 

Of course we don’t have the next book in the series...

Normal

Calvin has finally gotten into the groove with class. He seems more engaged and interested, although during “personal learning time” is learning is up for interpretation. 

Little libraries

Our neighborhood has quite a few little libraries, including one at Calvin’s school. On our Sunday morning coffee bike ride we stopped by one of our favorites that typically has all kids books. But this time it was all grown-up level books. So, we stopped by the one at Webster Sunday morning and hit a jackpot of fun books. We now need to pick some books to leave at the library at the school. It seems to be pretty active which is great.

No playground, no problem

Culverts are all the rage with the kids these days.

Rope swing

Not sure it was the safest thing they have ever done...but nobody got hurt and they will remember this for years.

SB explorers

The kids asked and so we went exploring in the very dry creek bed across from my parents house where the banks are completely overrun with poison oak. 

As the kids haven’t seen a playground in over 6 months the rocks became their playground. We also found a tire swing and a rope swing that they played on.

Escaping smoke

Due to the Bobcat Fire we (me and the kids, Nick stayed to go to work) escaped hazardous air and an evacuation warning and headed to Santa Barbara. After over a week and a half, we are back. We can do that with online/remote school...school can be anywhere with wifi and an outlet. 

Calvin spent the afternoon patiently waiting for a scrub Kay to eat peanuts out of his hand. 

California snow day

Yesterday was like a Cali snow day. No school but because of the weather you can’t go outside (freaking hot and the air quality was VERY bad). So we stayed indoors and ate and played games. Like Jenga. It got a little competitive between me and Calvin...but I remain undefeated. 

This photo was from about halfway through the match. 

6th Grade Band

Electives first Ellie’s middle school started today. She is doing 6th Grade Band. It will be an interesting ride...for sure. 

It was tough with Calvin talking in class and Ellie in band and I was trying to have a video conference call all at the same time. 

This point

We are at this point in the quarantine/distance learning/coronavirus.

Don’t want to be together...but still clingy.

Recess alone

The toughest part of distance learning is recess...alone. 

School airplanes

Sometimes I look at Calvin and I’m not quite sure if he’s doing what he should be. He said the teacher gave them an assignment...but I’m not sure looking up how to fold the best paper airplanes was it...