Back to school 2020

Last February I made a decision to take a leave of absence during the 2020-21 school year.  Ellie was finishing up at Woodruff and would be starting a new school in a new district and her schedule would not coincide with mine.   So I submitted my letter and got everything set to take a short absence from working as an educator.  It was a scary thought as I've always felt I should somehow use the education I worked hard to achieve, but it was also exciting to take a break from what I was doing and to focus on my family.  I have been an instructional coach since Ellie was 1 year old.  This involved working with beginning and seasoned teachers to learn and implement best practices for learning.  I didn't get to work with students, but I felt like the work I did through professional learning for teachers made a difference for students.  Recently I was not feeling the satisfaction of making a difference in this world I felt like I originally went into education for.  I missed working in the classroom with students full time, however being a full time teacher in the classroom was not the ideal for our family this upcoming year and the kids' schedules.  I told my principal that if a half time Kindergarten position opened up and it could be in the afternoon to let me know.

Fast forward a few weeks and word spread that I was interested in part time teaching.  Another principal approached me about teaching afternoon Kindergarten and I jumped at the opportunity.  Not only would I be able to have a schedule to work around our family I was going to be able to work with students first hand.  Now, the thought of 5 year olds new to the school system was frightening, but I luckily my coaching experience gave me enough confidence to know I wouldn't ruin them too bad LOL.  When this all got set in place COVID was a thing, however I was naive enough to think that life would be back to normal by the new school year.  

Which brings us back to this post.  Back to School 2020.

My first day of school was August 19th.  One day before Ellie and two days before Ethan.

The district I work in started back in a hybrid model.  For grades 1st through 12th grade half of the students would come to school in the morning and then the other half would come in the afternoon.  Because of already being only half day, preschool and kindergarten had all of the students return.  I had mixed feelings about this as it seemed odd that we would put twice the amount of students in a room with the younger kids, especially the ones who would be hard to keep 6 feet apart and hands, feet and body parts to themselves.  But at the same time, I couldn't see how having them there only a few days a week would benefit them either.  So, I started back into the classroom, into a new grade (previously I have taught 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 1st grades), a new school and into "new normal" COVID world. 

Mrs. Krohn

Kindergarten

Ellis Elementary 

When I decided to go back into the classroom I did not imagine I would be setting up a classroom trying to find a way to spread kids apart, limit community supplies, and have to tell 5 year olds to keep their masks on.  I'll admit, the first few weeks were incredibly EXHAUSTING.  I knew the beginning of the year was a crazy time, but I had never done it with 5 year olds who are new to so much.  But I also did not remember falling in love with all of my students so quickly.  I knew/know that the decision to teach kids again was exactly what I needed.  I love teaching and this change has refreshed my passion for education.

That same day that was my first day was Ethan's first region Cross Country meet at Ridgeline.  Due to the extremely hot temperatures and since school had not started yet, they had moved the meet to earlier in the day.  Luckily I was only teaching in the afternoon and my schedule allowed me to attend his meet.  It was hot, but not as hot as it would have been later that day.

My friend Lee took this picture of Ethan not realizing that Kelly and I were in the background.  We didn't even see each other that day, but she sent me the pic and then we realized we were across from each other.  Yes, we are wearing masks, outdoors.  Being a public employee I feel the need to be an example and follow the school property mandates for wearing masks.

The next day was Ellie's first day of school.  Both of kids have gone to the elementary school where I worked all of their years.  The district we live in changed their structure a few years ago and so 6th grade is now in the elementary schools.  The Logan District where the kids have gone only go to 5th grade in the elementary, so this meant that Ellie would have one more year in elementary, but at a whole new school.  She was excited because this meant that she would now be attending with her friends in the neighborhood.  I thought this was good, but could also be a problem.  I have always thought it was good that she was in a different school than her neighborhood friends as they seemed to have less "friend drama".  She was super nervous but super excited.  Plus because of COVID shutdown in the spring she was just happy to be returning to in person school.  Although 6th grade is still in the elementary, the students switch between teachers for each subject.  Ellie's homeroom teacher is also her math teacher and then she goes to a teacher for Language Arts (Mrs. Reid) and a third teacher for Science and Social Studies (Mrs. Orme).  Ellie loves it and enjoys going each day, I am having a hard time adjusting to not knowing about everything that is going on with her.  There were so many perks to having my kids attend the elementary that I worked at.

Elisabeth

6th Grade

River Heights Elementary

Mrs. Larson

The other exciting thing was now she would be able to wait for and ride the bus with one of her best friends, Jessi.  All these years the school bus stop for the neighborhood has been our drive way.  Now one of our kids was finally going to take advantage of it.

The crazy thing about Ellie riding this bus this year though is it is only her and Jessi.  Our neighbors across the street, the Reeders, moved out of the neighborhood and the other family with elementary age kids have decided to home school their kids this year due to COVID.  

And the next first day of school was the high school boy.  The high school had a later start date than originally planned due to COVID, but the district we live in was not having any kind of hybrid start.  All students were starting and were attending all day.  Both districts have a day that is shortened by about an hour to allow teachers prep time for working with and helping online/remote learning students.

Ethan

11th Grade

Ridgeline High School

This year there is no car pool to work with or around as Ethan is on his own and is driving himself to school.  He has a hefty schedule set up that includes AP Calculus and AP U.S. History, plus many other academic classes.  It's crazy to me to think he is so close to being finished with this stage of his life and we try to hang on to every moment we can with him.  I am constantly brought to tears when I think about how fast he has grown up and how soon he will be leaving the nest.  This includes watching him drive away on his first day of his junior year (sniff, sniff).

Finishing up a COVID summer and getting ready for school.

Random selfie that Ellie took one day while helping me set up my classroom.

Ellie is always finding ways to be creative.  In August she decided that she wanted to become a great cake decorator.  So she baked a cake and decorated it.  She hasn't baked and decorated another cake since, but maybe this idea will spiral back again.

Another creation that has occupied Ellie's time (and continues to) is making all kinds of slime.  She adds all kinds of "add-ins" and creates a variety of colors and scents.

The summer running for XC was a little different this year due to COVID.  The kids all met in smaller groups and at different locations.  They had to have their temperatures checked daily and had to sign in everyday as well.  The first xc meet was the alumni meet the first week of August.  There was a parent meeting beforehand (which normally happens at the end of the previous school year), then a group picture (with and without masks) and finally the meet.  Normally this race is SUPER hot, but due to the later start and nothing being as usual, it was a little cooler when Ethan ran.

A snake on Ethan's side rear view mirror.  One evening Kelly and I were returning from a walk and one of our neighbors let us know that a bunch of girls were doing something to Ethan's car.  Apparently it was some kind of prank and Ethan knew who it was.  It involved snakes of all kinds all over.

Something normal that continued despite the pandemic was the county fair.  Kelly, Ellie and I visited one evening and enjoyed the arts, crafts, and garden displays.  We were quite impressed with this pumpkin and a huge cabbage that was grown.

When we see this we are always wondering what he did.  He's not very good at hiding when he is mischievous. 

Since she would be turning 12 this year it was going to be Ellie's first time attending girls' camp.  Well because of (you know) COVID, it was cancelled.  There was an outdoor girls' day camp planned that Ellie was able to attend.  They met in a park for the day and had fun playing games, making crafts, hearing inspiring speakers and eating yummy food.  I am a young women's leader, but it was my first day back to work so I was only able to attend the evening.  When I showed up they were finishing up dinner(great timing right!?!).  I was a little heart broken as I asked Ellie how it was going and she said it was great until I showed up (sniff, sniff).  So I took it like a broken hearted mama realizing her daughter wants independence and kept my distance the rest of the night.  After dinner was an amazing speaker who talked about loving yourself and talked about the thoughts we tell ourselves and the difference between thoughts that come from God and those inspired by the adversary.  There were so many things I hoped Ellie was listening to.  Afterward, maybe the next day, Ellie mentioned some things that she was feeling and shared the things that she got from the evening speaker as well as the speaker earlier in the day.  I was so impressed by the influence that was had on Ellie.  

Ethan had also spent time all summer playing with a new soccer team, Evolution.  It was fun to attend a few "friendly" games during the summer which seemed to bring some normalcy to our world.

Vacation please!

After having our spring break trip canceled,  flights to visit family unlikely and months of sticking close to home, we decided it to take one of our favorite family vacations and headed to the Oregon Coast.  We planned it so that we would be able to include the annual Dutch Oven Cook-off in Boise but sadly based on COVID circumstances the decision was made to cancel the always anticipated event. 

We were however able to still stop in Boise on the way there and back.  We were also able to see Aunt Patricia, Aunt Shauntay and the kids on the way there and back.

Stanley got to ride to Boise with us where he stayed with grandma while we were at the coast.

Idaho Sunset

It was one of the last weeks to be able to see the Neowise comet so we went out to the dessert with grandma and grandpa to try to see the celestial wonder.  We had several pairs of binoculars and and grandpa's expertise to help us see the shiny dot in the sky that may have been the comet.

The next morning we headed on our way for the long drive west along I-84.

Cooper was excited for the trip as well. 

Hello Mount Hood!

Our first stop was in Vancouver, Washington where we spent time with the Toombs.  We had a BBQ, took a walk to the track and just had fun hanging out together.  The kids loved playing with Cooper and wanted to take him for a walk over and over.  We took a walk to a nearby high school and the kids had fun walking Cooper there.  They also took some laps around the track, Kyra earns the endurance award for the night, who knows how many times she went around the track, but she kept going and going.  The others also had fun playing around with the soccer net and ball.

Sophia used my phone to take selfies with as many of us as she could.  Here are a few that actually turned out somewhat.

with Uncle Kelly

with Ellie

with Ethan

with Kyra

with Damion

The next day we stopped in to see the Toombs one more time and then headed to Lincoln City.  On the way we stopped at Farmer Johns where we got some local yummy fruit and some ice cream.  It was SO hot out!!

We got to Lincoln City, checked into the Moon over the Mills (our Airbnb home for the next several days) and then headed to the beach.  We knew Cooper would LOVE it, he had been here when he was probably 4 months old so we were excited for him to return.

Our time at the coast was spent sleeping in, playing at the beach, visiting shops, eating at Mo's, visiting different beaches and just enjoying time together as a family.  As is always the case it was quite chilly, but that's always a minor detail of this beautiful destination.

We were definitely getting use to having to wear our masks, which was, I guess, good since while we were gone to the coast a mask mandate was implemented in Logan.  

Checking out the views.

One day we headed to Newport to spend some time and we also knew we would see some sea lions.  Once we found parking we headed down onto the docks to check them out.  We were interested to see how Cooper would react.  We were quite surprised by the outcome.

As we got closer them Cooper didn't see them at first.  Then when one of the sea lions barked at us Cooper stopped and wouldn't go closer to them.  He was scared to go closer and stayed close to Kelly not wanting to get any closer.

Having Cooper with us and being on foot, we couldn't really go inside and eat.  So we got Mo's to go and brought it back to a bench to eat it.  The sun felt great! 

Checking out the view at Depot Bay

One morning we headed to the beach for some beach combing and some running.

Ethan cresting the hill.  He likes hills.

Cooper likes to fetch sticks

Our  beach finds.

We also spent an afternoon at the beach boogie boarding.  The kids got wet suits and boogie boards and dipped into the cold Pacific.  Dad and I were big ol' wimps and enjoyed watching.

After forgetting Coop's leash at the house, Dad, who is quite resourceful made an alternative using the tow rope.

Despite the sunny day, it was COLD (in my opinion).  So I sat snuggled in blanket and coat and watched the fun from afar.

After playing on the beach we barely made the closing time and got some more Mo's.  We decided we wanted to try to eat at every Mo's on the O.C. which means at some point we need to go south to visit our last one.

Sunset on the coast is always a favorite and a must!

It is a must to get a jump picture, especially when we are at the beach.

Another sunset.  This time we went to Mo's in Lincoln City to get warm cobbler and ice cream.  Sadly they were all out so we had to go without.  But the sunset was beautiful and did NOT disappoint.

Neskowin Beach.  

We visited in the late afternoon the day before and then the next morning before heading out.  We decided this was the beach to visit and spend time at.  For whatever reason in the afternoon it felt warmer here and was just beautiful.  For out morning visit we were not early enough to see the mystical low tide beauty, but it was still lovely.

We found a heart shaped rock.  Must be a sign.

Our last morning in Lincoln City.  We enjoyed our time at the Moon over Mills and are so grateful we were able to get out of town and leave reality for a bit.  

On our way back home we stopped for a night in the Dalles to break up the trip.  Everyone was craving ice cream that evening when we pulled into town and ended up waiting in line a DQ for what seemed like FOREVER!! but. . . . we got some ice cream.

Heading back to reality, but stopped in Boise for a few nights first.

Summer cross country running meant that Ethan was a little more willing to run with me.  I gave him a tour of the university and he humored me by listening to things I'm sure he's heard a million times.

Ellie and I were able to visit Trina and Ace for an afternoon and enjoyed hanging out in their pool.

Love that even despite the (we are tweens) awkwardness between these two they end up playing and having fun together.  Their personalities seem to fit well together.