Back to School

Well, seeing as the holiday music is playing on repeat and the Thanksgiving feast has been consumed and then some... I figured now is as good a time as ever to update this space with a few months worth of pictures. 

We'll start with the smallest Hein member. Taylor is in her final year of preschool. She is in the Junior K class and Miss Ashlee or (Mith Ash-u-lee at Taylor calls her) is her teacher this year. Taylor is so happy at school and begs to go even on the weekends. She is at the best age right now. She soaks up everything that she learns and is eager to begin reading and writing like her big brother and sister. 

Donovan and Emmerson started 5th and 3rd grade this year at school with me. I am so sad that this is Donovan's last year of elementary school! Where has the time gone? It is so sweet having these big kids with me every day. 

The world's best librarian was so happy to welcome our students back on campus.

And we were thrilled to be reunited with all of our besties for what feels like a more normal school year. We are still wearing masks but at least we're not online anymore. So thankful for that. 

Emmerson has Miss Lancon this year. She loves her class and has so many friends in it! She is always happy when she comes home from school and has lots of stories to share about her day. 

Donovan has his first male teacher, Mr. Monroe and he is loving it this year. He continues to enjoy reading and math but seems to love playing football with his buddies most of all! 

We're off to a great start this year!

 

First Days of School

In the common theme of all posts of the last few months, it was a very different kind of start to the school year this year. 

One of the biggest rites of passage was Taylor's start to preschool. In years past, we've had an orientation night where the kids get to tour the school and meet their teacher. This year, there was just an email and a line at the door where parents weren't permitted to enter but children line up, get their temperatures checked and their hands sprayed as they walk into their classrooms. It was all so strange and yet, taylor knew no different and was as happy as can be. 

We are SO happy to have her at the preschool where her big brother and sister went. Taking her in was like coming back home again. We love the staff dearly and are so thankful for the warm, loving environment where she learns about Jesus and has a fantastically fun play based learning experience. I wish I could be a preschooler there! 

My heart was very full dropping her off for her first day, but I also cried big tears driving away realizing that this was our last little one's first day of preschool. 

The night before preschool started, we read our Night Before Preschool book and picked out a special blankie for rest time. 

Taylor was unbelievably confident and so excited to begin. 

The day after Taylor started preschool, the bigs and Daddy and I had our own first day. Again, very anti-climactic. The kids hardly got dressed for the big occasion, but I still had to document with a picture of course. 

Two days a week, Donovan goes to his best friend's house to do school with his buddies. The rest of the days the bigs are home doing a mix of live instruction and asynchronous lessons that keep them occupied until about 2:00 each day. 

Dustin has been teaching PE live from our bedroom to his 7th graders every day. It makes for an interesting sight, let me tell you. It often sounds like our ceiling is about to cave in. I started off teaching from my classroom, and then realized that staying home made for a much slower, more relaxed morning. Now, I teach from the kitchen table. I have the CUTEST class! The experience has had its highs and lows but overall we're making it work. We have fallen into a familiar rhythm which is soon to change again as elementary will be returning to an in person hybrid model early next month. This is the year of accepting what is not in my control and rolling with the punches. It's been a huge challenge for my oh, so controlling personality. But in all things, God has met me right where I need Him and carried us all every step of the way. 

Here's to the 2020-2021 school year! 

The second 1st day of school 2019-2020

Our district's official plan for distance learning began last week. 

Monday is reserved for virtual teacher meetings and planning. But Donovan and Emmerson still log in to their Google Classroom and participate in "Start with the Arts." Their assignments on Monday come from our amazingly awesome music teachers, innovation teachers, PE teachers, and school counselors. It was a perfect way to familiarize them with the new platform of checking assignments, completing them, and turning them in. As a parent, I loved being able to see how much they know about playing music and reading music while tapping to a beat. And our counselor's lesson was so thoughtful considering the times we're in. She reminded students that it's okay to have big feelings but to watch for when those big feelings begin to consume our thinking and the choices that we make consequently. She practiced some breathing techniques with the kids... good reminders for me, too. The innovation assignments were incredible as well! Based on an initial read aloud with lots of options for making and design thinking using simple at home materials. I was blown away by how much work and effort went in to providing our students with an incredible first day. 

Meanwhile, teacher meetings. That has been crazy around here. Dustin has both staff meetings, department meetings, and leadership meetings virtually. I also have staff meeting and leadership meetings and then in my role as more of an instructional coach, I try my best to meet with all of our grade level teams when they meet together. Those hours add up and many days I feel like I am staring at my screen ALL day long. It's not easy balancing... well, Taylor for the most part, and work. The big kids are amazingly independent with the exception of the occasional, "Mom what can I have for a snack?" or "Mom can you come see the..." But Taylor wants a lot of attention still and often makes appearances in my virtual meetings because she wants to be right on my lap. She has had much more screen time that I would ever normally allow. But we have to make it all work and that's the main way I can keep her happy and busy for now. 

Tuesday-Friday is the real work week for us. The kids kick off their mornings with a Google Meet with their teacher and classmates and then take off on academic assignments for the day. The grade levels have teamed up to plan for instruction so Donovan and Emmerson get to watch screencasts from all of the teachers on their grade level. So far, the lessons have been stellar and really feel like they're getting the instructional input they'd be getting in the classroom, minus the peer interaction and direct teacher feedback. 

 Last Tuesday was our official first day meeting with our teachers and getting started on our school work. We were all buzzing around like crazy in the morning, eating big breakfasts and giddy with excitement about something new in the routine. 

Day 1 Emmerson needed almost constant support from me sitting right next to her, guiding her through Google Classroom. But by Day 3 she was pretty independent, only calling me for specific questions, which was surprisingly and unexpectedly awesome. 

Donovan has been completely on his own. He's our technological expert. He's happy as a clam being back online and has even found a way to set up side chats with all of his buddies while he's completing his work. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dustin met with each of his classes. It was so sweet listening to him joke around with them. His students LOVE him and you could hear it through their conversations. 

And as for me, I have taken on a lot of planning support. I plan the math lessons for our third and fourth grade teams which includes me making up problems, creating slides, and screencasting them so that teachers can use them for their Google Classroom assignments. Much of my day is spent balancing that work, getting phone calls from teachers asking questions or needing guidance, and making sure that my kiddos at home are hanging in there until I can close my laptop and call it a day. Just when I think I have things down, a flood of work pours in. This past weekend I was tasked with supporting another grade level that needed help which meant working all weekend even recording tutorials and lessons until 1 in the morning so that we were ready to go for the new week. It's a lot. More work than you would think. But there are still sweet perks of distance learning. This extra time being near the kids is such a gift. And, my friends... these cheap-o blue light glasses are making all of my glasses wearing dreams come true! So there's that. Ha! 

So this is how we roll through distance learning. I am still struggling with the acknowledgment that this learning method supports a certain family type and not all of our students have the privilege of accessing. That's hard to swallow. But for us, it is working so far. Each week is a rollercoaster but what week isn't, really? 

 The kids are just about to jump into their Google Meet kicking off week 2. 

Wishing you all a week of good health and peace. 

xoxo

Long time, no see

Hey there, strangers! I've missed updating this space. Truth is, the days are flying and the hours within each one escape me like a magic disappearing act. Have you been there, too? Before we jump right in to all things fall and my favorite month of the year... let's rewind to where our last post left off. August. 

As soon as our Uncle Devin, Aunt Amy, and Cousin Xander left to return home, and super Grammie arrived to the rescue, I found myself completely back in work mode. Every single floor at our school was replaced over the summer and it was a giant time crunch trying to pull everything back together before the students arrived. We also got a bunch of new staff this year, so I tried to make myself as present as I could to support everyone moving in. 

The kids didn't mind one bit. They were thrilled to have Grammie back and even spent two nights at the Legoland hotel with her. 

 I can't believe this little baby face was getting ready for first grade!

 And this nugget... well, there's a whole lot of personality packed into those chubby little cheeks and squinty eyes, I tell you. I will save Taylor-isms for another post. There are many these days. 

 In the week prior to school starting, each kiddo had a date with Grammie and a date with Oma to shop for special back to school items. Emmerson was up for all things flippy-sequins and Donovan had to have a pair of Vans. Here are all three kiddos on the bigs first day of first and third grade. 

 Emmerson has the amazing Mrs. Rowland this year. She was very excited to have the same teacher Donovan had, again. She was so confident returning to school. Emmerson is just the sweetest, kindest, most loving little girl. I am so proud of her strong character and loving heart. Here's to another great year, big girl. 

 Oh, and this backpack! It was made for her. Flippy sequins and rainbow colors!!! Thanks, Gram!

 Donovan scored getting Ms. Lancon this year. Picture a young 20 something with long blonde hair, super tan skin that is also a yoga teacher on the side of teaching. She's adorable and needless to say every third grade boy was hoping to find themselves in her class this year. ;) He was so excited that so many of his friends did. They are off to a great start. Donovan continues to amaze me with his love for learning. He is reading like crazy and can usually be found jumping back and forth between various novels. His life seems to revolve around reading and all things sports. He has a dorky sense of humor that only a third grade boy would embrace. I love him for it. 

 And this one. She also requested a first day of school picture. Although her daycare was closed this week and she stayed home with Gram. I think she rocked her Legoland bracelets, fake colored hair extensions, and pjs like a boss. Am I right? Speaking of boss, this girl truly is the one who runs the show around here. She dictates pretty much everything: What time we all wake up, what we watch on tv, and even what we eat for dinner. Girlfriend has some mad directing skills, let me tell you. 

 Here are a few more school pictures. One with the world's best librarian, Mrs. Gayden. 

 And the obligatory first day picture with Mom. 

 We are so excited that my bestie, "Auntie Hollie" is teaching at our school this year! That means Ella is a Twin Oaks students too! Hooray! 

 Emmerson wasted no time catching up with her BFFs. These cuties have been the very best of friends since their first year of preschool. 

And one last picture from his teacher. 

The school year has been off to a great start! Truly one of the best and most smoothest years I can remember. We've adjusted to new routines of school, work, soccer, and baseball and somehow balance in a little family time in there too. 

Lots more to share in the weeks to come. 

The Bigs are Back to School

Alternate title to this post could be: The First Day of Kindergarten that Didn't Actually Happen: 

Well folks, we've survived. I tell you what, the first weeks of school only seem to feel more hectic with each passing year. The second the calendar turned to August, my mind was half mom-half work. In the week before we officially returned to work, I was popping in, doing odd jobs as my admin worked to prepare things for the new school year kick off. 

Meanwhile Grammie was here, holding down the fort, entertaining the kiddos in their last few days before the school year started. She actually took the bigs to stay at the Legoland Hotel for a few nights which they LOVED! They came home with a ton of new stuffed animals, a plethora of memories, and a serious sugar hangover. Doing it up as only Grammies should. 

Oma had her share of the fun, too. She took the bigs out for a fun day of lunch and shopping for back to school clothes. They were both eager to jump back into the routine after having so much fun in their final weeks of summer vacation. 

This is a particularly fun year because Emmerson gets to come to school with Donovan and me every day! I can't believe we have a 2nd grader and a kindergartener this year. 

Unfortunately, our little kindergartener woke up for her very first day of school looking like this: 

Whaaaaat the heck? Not what I expected our first school morning hustle to start like. I spent the morning on the phone trying to make a quick appt. for her at the doctor. Once again, Super Grammie to the rescue. Gram took this one into urgent care while Donovan and I were off to our first day of school together. Good news, it was just a crazy allergic reaction to mosquito bites that she got while she slept. After one day she started to look more like herself and could actually see out of both of her eyes. Sheesh. Bad news, she missed her first day of kindergarten. So sad! 

Sick girl or not, I still took our obligatory first day pictures on the front porch. 

 Mr. Hein was ready for another year of 7th grade PE complete with his great, big beard and shiny new socks and shoes. Love this man! 

And Donovan was thrilled to be off to second grade with the teacher he really hoped to get this year! Look at all those big kid teeth. They make him look so grown up. 

 I spend the first days of the school year supporting our teachers and administrators with whatever it is that they need. That mainly includes supporting crying kindergarteners and kindergarten parents, and making rounds around campus to make sure that all students are settling back into school routines. It also allows me to sneak up on my kiddos playing with their buddies out at lunch and recess. Donovan was so happy to be back, playing ball with his besties again. 

 And I am happy to report that after some Benadryl, cold compresses, rest, and a little steroid prescription, Emmerson was ready and eager to join us on day two. 

 She was so happy to find some of her preschool besties out on the playground. 

After the first week, we had a couple of extremely tired and super happy students. 

I think I have about 10 more posts to catch up on... but for now, here we are. Back in the grind. Healthy, tired, and so very grateful for each new day. 

Have a great week, friends! 

xo