Ben in person school...

 So Ben has done 2 weeks of school in person.  I have no photo evidence.  What the heck?  It's partly because he comes in the afternoon I guess.  But he stands right outside my classroom to line up. I could certainly have documented this.  He is really liking it-they are having fun at recess.  He has much more homework, since there is actually less time to get things done during the school day.  His morning teacher has him on zoom all morning.  He doesn't love wearing a mask, but he's okay with it.

I stayed remote, as the other HiCap teacher really wanted to be in person.  I'm not sad.  My new group (1/2 of her class and 1/2 of my first class that stayed remote) are great kids.  But of course the district promised another chance to change in April.  So I can't really get comfy with this group.  

The best news is that they are negotiating for kids to go back at all grades.  Please!  Please!  It is hard for Middle schoolers (Libby especially) to focus because the teachers don't require cameras on.  She just lounges in her room, dozing, listening to music, etc.  It's gotten much worse lately.  Let's go back to school!

Sunny Magazine

 Libby's latest project as she organizes the neighborhood kids, is Sunny Magazine.  (The street they all play on is Sunnyside Ave, so they've been the Sunnyside gang for all of COVID).

She's very into it.  She's had the kids apply for various jobs (including written application and interviews).  She's promised wages and is trying to sell subscriptions.  It's genius, actually.  It would be nice if school got this much attention, but I think this is good life training.

Ben's job application.  There is also a waiver that holds Libby blameless if you are injured or die at work.  (I am noticing that the name changed from Libby magazine to Sunny magazine at some point.  Good shift!) 

Hymn Scavenger Hunt

 Ben has been begging for a family study scavenger hunt.  So finally, for D&C 25, we did a scavenger hunt that was all hymn titles.  It was so fun to write--and the kids loved it. 

Libby outran everyone in her heels until she had read her 4 clues.  Then she just let the other two finish.  

Candy had to be to the prize--Sweet is the Work! (They found it in the pantry--where "In Fasting We Approach Thee"

She was busy taking selfies--so many every day. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 We had our first dinner guests in our new space this week.  Of course, no pics of the whole party.  But we got festive with our traditional green sodas.  Mike and Tiffany brought the corn beef and cabbage.  It was scrumptious! 

Kitchen Finale!

 

This kitchen....Such a big space.  With so many divides!  I wish I had $1 for all the people who hit their heads on those cabinets.  It might have funded the kitchen remodel.  (Okay, not quite, but still.)

Inside this little U was where it all happened.  I'd couldn't open the dishwasher without moving away from the sink. And the disposal switch?  Yep,  under the sink.  So close the dishwasher if you want to run the disposal.  It was a 3 ring circus to do dishes.  

Over the years we did cosmetic stuff, like take down the wallpaper (that was pretty early on).  I painted 2 different colors (okay 3 but one only lasted a weekend.). But nothing could change the fact that we were outgrowing the little breakfast nook and the whole dishwasher thing.  No one could help me cook or do dishes or else we were tripping over each other. 

We went through several different designs with our designer Emily Ruff.  Here is one of the ideas, designed to give us max windows.  But we ended up going with the one that gave us max cabinets and counter space.  There was no way to fit an island.  I may get a little rolling one--we will see if I feel like I need it.   

I've done my first cooking and I'm in love.  I'm so excited to have a kitchen again.  Get ready for an invite--as soon as we can!