Distance Learning in York, Maine Day 15

Distance Learning in York, Maine

April 6th, 2020
Day 15

The birthday weekend went well.  Portland Pie pizza was on the menu for dinner, so Jakob was a happy 14 year old.  He facetimed one set of grandparents while he watched the video of birthday wishes and opened his gifts.  Then we facetimed the other set with Auntie and Uncle for the cake portion of the evening.  Overall, all went off without a hitch.  The cake was made by Homespun Bakery, just one street over from us.  She makes vegan items, so this made me a happy momma.

                          


Now here we are at Monday.  We are seeing the sun for the second day in a row.  Yippee!  Lots of walks have been happening since I have been home.  While this is great, it hasn't been so good on my feet.  The two bone spurs on my heels that Dr. Santini found are starting to act up again.  Unfortunately, I'll just walk through the pain.  I have to get outside during all of this!

Another walk did my soul good.  The sun helps so much.  I know I have said that multiple times now.  It just gets me going on other things.  I was able to read some professional texts outside.  That's the best kind of office.

Other than checking in on emails and working on the Literacy website a bit, I did much better with staying away from the computer.  I'm sure some days will be better than others.

A few words from Jakob...

Today I did an exceeds test for math. I hope I get the exceeds! I played outside a lot too. I got a late package from my grandparents and it was a really cool LEGO set! I'll be building that after I finish the one I'm working on right now!

Stay safe and well,
Amber and Jakob

Distance Learning in York, Maine Day 14

Distance Learning in York, Maine

April 3rd, 2020
Day 14

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR JAKOB
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

I can't believe he is fourteen.  We will celebrate tonight with pizza and cake.  He doesn't know it yet, but I had friends and family send videos to wish him a happy day.  Erik compiled them all into one iMovie that we will watch during our small celebration tonight.

A few words from Jakob...

Today was my birthday, and it was awesome. I was on the middle school morning message and started an argumentative essay for Mrs. Parshley. It is about the Reconstruction Era. I did another video for German, but Mr. V said I had the day off and I didn't see that.  Oh well.  It's fun to do.

Stay safe and well,
Amber and Jakob

Distance Learning in York, Maine Day 13

Distance Learning in York, Maine

April 2nd, 2020
Day 13

I tried my best to not be on my computer as much today, but I pretty much failed.  I had books to read, but I always came back to my computer.  It is what it is, but I will keep trying.

So I did something stupid today.

Prologue:  Jakob's birthday is tomorrow.  My mother had me order one of the gifts they wanted to give him so it would come right here.  Okay, makes sense.  He goes outside to play on Wednesday, and there is the gift...a hoverboard...in its box with the picture and all.  So, that had to be opened right away.

I was convinced to try the new gadget outside.  While I had to hold onto someone, I did okay.  Then he wanted me to try it today as he was facetiming his aunt.  So I did.  It didn't end well.  Now I am having a hard time using my left thumb, and there is a big bruise on my palm.

Epilogue: I am sitting on a pillow while doing my work on Friday.  I am not sure when I will be able to do anything with my left hand.

A few words from Jakob...

Today I filmed more for German and made a science recipe for DNA. Luna also helped me color. I used my hover board a lot too. I snuggled with Luna and watched a movie too.

Stay safe and well,
Amber and Jakob

Distance Learning in York, Maine Day 12

Distance Learning in York, Maine

April 1st, 2020
Day 12

Not a lot to report here today.  It was a pretty normal day, well our new normal kind of day.  Every morning, I have been feeding my sourdough starter.  Has anyone else tried this before?  Today was day three of this project.  I can't wait to do the baking on Saturday.

I'm glad Jakob got his puzzle out of the way, so I can start working on a new one.  When I make one, he helps.  But when he found the Red Sox one, he wanted to do it all himself.  

I've been prepping for Jakob's birthday.  We had to make some changes considering cancellations we had to make.  While it's a bummer, we are hoping we have planned some fun things that will make this 14th birthday memorable in a positive way.  I've been doing some things on the downlow that I hope he hasn't figured out yet.

A few words from Jakob...

Today I played outside A LOT and got and accidental early birthday present. It was a hoverboard, and I couldn't even miss the box if I tried. I used that a lot today too. For German I made another video.

Stay safe and well,
Amber and Jakob

Distance Learning in York, Maine Day 11

Distance Learning in York, Maine

March 31st, 2020
Day 11

An update on AAA.  They gave us a full refund on our Disney Park Hopper passes.  I am so surprised. I figured we would get some kind of voucher.  So that is a good thing...

Day 11, and we seem to be in a groove.  This is the first day that elementary schools will be working from their choice boards or learning menus.  There are some great activities out there for the students to do while they are at home.  

I got to spend some of my day reading some professional texts that I can never seem to get to.  I finished one that I started at the beginning of this distance learning.  I finished another I had started a while ago, and I chose a new book to read.  Slow down...this is what this pandemic has shown us all.  After a few crazy weeks, maybe we can do just that.  Time will tell.

A few words from Jakob...

Today I talked in German about what I'm building right now. We also had a Google Hangout with my German class. I went biking for a while and finished my book. My back was hurting a lot today.  I think it's from all the exercise I've been doing.  I also finished a puzzle in two days.  Now my mom can use the coffee table for another puzzle.

 

This is what Math looks like in this house right now.

I know you are seeing lots of Luna.  She is a wonderful companion during this time.  She makes us laugh and loves to snuggle.  In this picture, she was "helping" me wrap some of Jakob's birthday gifts.

Stay safe and well,
Amber and Jakob