Back to school

 School is back in session in Vail! The week before we went back to school it was business as usual, school work all day, then after school burning off some energy. With slightly cooler temps (not always in the 100s) the pool next door wasn't as warm as the kids are used to. But they still had fun swimming.

Their obsession with Ninjago continues. Rachel is becoming very proficient at drawing some of the characters.

Grandma borrowed 9-square from a friend for us to use for PE for the last week of remote learning. The kids had a fun time with it, though the shorter kids struggled a bit. 

Puzzles have been a hit lately as a good way to pass the time. All the kids like to pitch in to put them together.

The Saturday before school started we went on a practice bike ride to the school. Because the school is just open for hybrid learning, not regular school, there is a lot of restrictions on what they can or cannot do at school, including not being able to play out on the playground before school. We figured it would be good for them to have a chance to burn off some of their energy so they can focus better at school, so we're riding to school. 

The practice ride went well and everyone made it without problem or incident. 

It was just starting to warm up, and they didn't get much of a rest, so Megan wasn't too excited about biking home, but she did it and the kids are all getting tougher and stronger at riding bikes.

Rachel: teen diva:

We have a bit of a different first day of school picture this year. Everyone loaded up their backpacks and we were off. Todd went with me in the morning to help corral everyone, and Savannah and Grandma picked them up from school afterwards. I think I got the better end of the deal, since the weather is much more mild at 8am.

After school we went swimming next door. Ryan blew up his shirt into a giant bubble. 

One day after school Eloise invited the girls over to be girly. They painted nails and giggled together. Rachel and Annie missed out because they had drama club with Karolee.

But Friday they all got to be in on the girl party Eloise hosted at her house. They made personal pizzas and watched Ella Enchanted. The boys went to Grandma's house and watched Smurfs 2 and jumped on the trampoline and ate candy. Jacob and I went on a date to Candy World, and back to our house to eat dinner and watch The Andy Griffith Show. With COVID, there's not many places open for us to go out on a date to. 

Earlier in the week Annie and McKenzie decided to make playdoh out of cream cheese and powdered sugar. In the process they made a huge mess and burned out our hand mixer. Oops. 

Rachel caught the cooking bug at the same time and made us all some cookies. 

Turns out that same night someone else made cookies and dropped them by along with a heart attack from the Young Women. We were loaded with cookies.

Ryan's teacher sent a picture of his class the first day of being back at in-person school. 

The plan at his school was to create more classes to keep the numbers under 20 kids per class until we're back into the green when COVID numbers are down low enough to go back to regular school. Enough kids chose to continue with remote learning that they didn't have to create new classes, but Ryan's class was real close: 21 kids. Each class has the desks separated and facing forward and they have to wear their masks any time they're not eating or drinking. 

Our nice neighbors Joanne and Eileen bought some art projects from the Dollar Store for Halloween for the kids to work on. The kids always love a good painting project.

Peyton and McKenzie's school still is doing remote learning, so they were a bit jealous when everyone went back to school. But they're troopers and it has been a lot easier doing their school work with fewer kids around, and we're starting to know what they need and how to do it.