First Day of School

We took six weeks off of school, but it didn't feel much like a summer break.  I can't pinpoint way this break didn't feel like summer.  Perhaps it's because Ben is still under tight restrictions or maybe because we weren't at the beach once a week with friends and the library isn't even open to do the reading program.  Life is feeling a little better, but it still feels kinda weird.

We eased into the school year, starting math on the 10th and then added some writing later on in that week.  We started full force on the 17th, but because the ball was already rolling, it was a pretty seamless day.  The kids all expressed that they were actually ready to start and enjoyed have some more structure.  I guess that means that our break was successful...it's good to have times to be lazy and relax and it's good to have times of working hard and getting things done.

I have always been thankful that our homeschool has given our kids consistency and boy is that ever true this year!  Even the homeschool group we were a part of last year isn't allowed to meet.  You can't even pay tutors in California right now because the tutors will be held liable if the student gets sick AND they will get in trouble for offering a child "an upper hand" in education.  It's beyond ridiculous.  Again, thankfully, I had already decided to not to do the homeschool group this year and wasn't counting on it.  The first day of school, Ben and I sat the kids down and shared with them what school looks like all over the world and told them that they have an extrememly rare opportunity this year.  While everyone else is "virtual" learning and about a year behind in school, nothing has changed for them.  They are the few students in America right now who's school looks exactly the same as it always has.

Point in case: the kids chose to make their own signs because the only printables we could find said "First day of virtual school"

The only change for us is that Ben is working from home, except for a couple of hours a week.  We've had to make some adjustments, but it also means that he's home to take these pictures and he's going to be teaching Alison's literature class!

Ha!  I just realized Eli missed the 'r' in 'grade'.  We may be retaking this.