It’s been a minute since I’ve written anything on here and I wish I could tell you that it’s because I’ve been off traveling the world or relaxing on a beach somewhere with several umbrella drinks. But, it’s not.
The last time I checked in, it was the end our our quarantine. Our stay-at-home order had just been lifted and I had grandiose visions of all the things I would do and places I would go. That did not happen. Instead, I went to the grocery store, drove the kids’ activities super shuttle for hours a day, and occasionally went to the pool for my 60-minute swimming block…just long enough to get sunscreen on everyone, break up a fight over who’s goggles are whose, throw them in the pool and grab a LARGE glass of something cold (wine). Then it would be time to leave.
Since the end of quarantine, so much has happened and yet nothing has changed. I already know the answer before I ask, but do you think 2020 can get any worse? Murder hornets, wildfires, racial unrest, hurricanes, recession, unemployment, blizzards in September. Oh, and that pesky Coronavirus. Lions and Tigers and Bears…Oh my!! We have a full 4 months left in this crappy year; what else can possibly happen? Zombie Apocalypse? The Presidential Election? Carole Baskin on Dancing With the Stars? What I can say is that considering the time we spent in quarantine equaled approximately 285 years, we’re in for a bumpy ride I’m afraid.
With all this time I have spent doing nothing, you would think I’d be checking items off that “To Do” list right and left. I’d be a model of productivity; they could make a Netflix documentary about the shit I got done. Well, you would be wrong…that list just keeps growing. Not to worry though because I am getting a second chance at it. Our school district has decided to “host” 100% virtual learning for AT LEAST the first quarter, which is 8 weeks or 12,389 days. This means that my home is now my jail; even if I wanted to go somewhere wearing my mask and staying away from people, I cannot between the hours of 8AM and 3PM.
WELCOME TO THE HARRIS SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS!
In a strange twist of fate, all 3 kids have the same teacher this year and I hear she’s FANTASTIC. Middle school will be happening in our kitchen, where I can guarantee a separation between the lowly 6th grader and the mighty 8th grader. Elementary school will likely happen on the couch. I could lie and tell you that it is because it’s closer to the rug for circle story time, but the truth is that it’s closer to the wine fridge.
This isn’t how we hoped it would go, but we’re going to make the best of it. I am certain there will be a decent amount of bellyaching and general malaise while it’s happening, but it’s not going to help the small humans for me to have a bad attitude or for them to hear me complain about it. What I WILL DO though is give updates from the trenches, much like our weekly quarantine updates….Harris Homeschool Happenings. There are sure to be as many stories as there are glasses of wine finished by Friday at 3PM.
EDIT TO ADD: Obviously I wrote this post a few weeks ago when we started school, but between the lesson planning and the laundry I failed to get it published. BUT, just tonight, they’ve given us weary parents/teachers a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. School will be partially back in person in the next month, which is unanticipated good news. We’ll still be “learning” at home three days a week, so I foresee the homeschool happenings still coming..I’ve already got pages and pages of stuff. Stay tuned:)
