Back to School (at home)- First Day of 6th & 8th Years

Back to school for most children in the USA this year means distance schooling from home. Covid-19 remains a worldwide pandemic and so most children, including Amara and Havana, will be at home. Their school, MFS, has somehow managed to have some in person through pods (calling it a camp) but our family does not feel safe with that. Too many variables, to many chances to get sick. So this year, during the girls last year at their beloved school, they will remain at home (and that could change mid-year but not likely.) 

We are fortunate in that we have a back cabin in your yard, that was unused until now, when we converted it to the girl's classroom. Complete with desks, computers (electricity is brought in through electrical cords from the main house)m beanbags and our old couch, the girls having a separate space to do school seems to have made a huge difference for them. Last year working in their rooms did not feel like school. This space does and they settled in from day one, taking school seriously. I am very aware of how lucky we are to have this space. 

As the first week of school progressed, the girls started spending more and more time out there, making it their special place. Which meant quieter space in the main house. There are a few issues; the WIFI goes in and out (I am on patient calls and video visits all day, as well as teaching virtual classes so this has been a problem) and sometimes it gets a bit warm in there, or just the opposite, it can be cold. But overall it's well built, with windows so fingers crossed, we will manage through the winter months. And the best part of all is that Mr. Kai Kitty likes to join the girls out there. He has his water bowl, litter box and lots of places to snuggle up on and snooze. 

So here's to the start of the 2020/2021 school year. One that will be remembered for the rest of their lives. Stay at home, away from friends, unable to process in person the last days at their school.  It is is all bittersweet and yet we just hope that they learn well in these days of distance learning.