Halloween October 31, 2020

Halloween looked a little different this year since, with Covid 19 around, no one wanted to trick or treat door to door.

So Bridgewater had their town soccer field set up with people at tables  to get candy from organizations who wanted to set up at the soccer field.  That way the individuals could keep a decent distance, still trick or treat, and have fun.  They also had an activity at the pavilion where the kids could decorate a pumpkin with face stickers.  It was a really fun activity.  I hope that they continue to do this even after Covid is gone.

Glen wanted to be a cat this year.  So he dressed in all black, I made him a tail, and I also made him furry ears.  He made sure his favorite stuffed cat made it into the picture too.  So here is cat Glen, and cat Grissom.

Grace also wanted to be a cat this year.  So she dressed in gray and black.  I made her a tail, I also made her furry ears.  Here she is posing with our many jack-o-lanterns.
 

Crazy Kids in Nature October 25, 2020

I believe that these are also pictures that are from the Fire Tower hike from the day before.  However, I think that these are pictures that Matt took and shared with me later.

These crazy kids found so many places and things to pose with for pictures along the way of our hike.

I love to see them having fun with nature.

 

Seven Bends Fire Tower Hike October 24, 2020

A great fall day to get out and see the beautiful leaves changing.  Nature is gorgeous!

We hiked up the Fire Tower in Woodstock and got to see the seven bends of the Shenandoah river.

The tower was a bit sketchy at times and I was not sure we should be up there, but man it was worth the view.  How beautiful it was!

I am glad that we are getting more hikes in, since we are stuck at home so much.

 

Self Portrait October 7, 2020

For art class, Grace had to draw a self portrait.  I think that she did a pretty good job considering she had to do it in her room, alone, with no additional suggestions or help from the teacher. 

 

Glen and Penny September 22, 2020

 

Family Trip to a Cabin September 19-20, 2020

Since I am on the board of Highland Retreat Campgrounds I get the chance to go to one of the cabins free of charge for one weekend a year.  So this weekend we decided to rent Dogwood cabin and get away from city life for awhile.

Most of our time we spent it around the campfire.  It was beautiful weather, but it was so nice to snuggle around the fire and cook around the fire.

The camp loaned us a ball for the ga-ga court and also some corn hole games.  The kids loved playing both of those games while Matt and I usually watched while warming up around the fire.

We did do some hiking during this time though.  We hiked the perimeter trail at camp that went by the lake and on the mountain ridge.

Silliness by the fire.  Those two are not going to be able to share a chair for much longer.

Even though the water was a little cold the kids made their way into the creek and caught some minnows and other creatures.

On another hike that we did, we got to the tree house.  The kids had never seen it before and were very surprised that there was an actual tree growing up through the middle of the house.

Here is a picture of Grace at the ramp up to the tree house.  I think that she was a bit excited that we had gotten to our destination.

This was a fantastic quick weekend away.  I hope that we can do it again in the future.

First Day of School September 9, 2020

What strange times we are in.  We are still going through a pandemic, and technically not going to the physical school building.

However, school stops for no one.  So Grace will start her fifth grade year with online classes where she has to connect with her teachers and classmates with online meeting rooms.

Glen is going to start his third grade year the same way.  With his teachers and classmates only knowing him through online meeting rooms.

Since I am a school teacher we do have a benefit.  On Mondays and Tuesdays the kids came to school with me.  They were cared for by a teacher and did virtual learning in the auditorium so they were with a teacher...kind of, and they were with other students...kind of.  I think they liked the idea of getting out of the house and being even kind of normal.

Wednesdays the kids did not have classes and I only had a few meetings so I helped them catch up on work and do their specials on that day.

Thursdays they would go to Grandpa Steve and Grandma Sue's house and they would do their classes and work there.  Fridays they would go to Mamaw and Papaw's house and they would do their classes and work there.

It was a crazy schedule but it allowed me to work from home a little, work from school a little, they got some school experience, and they also had some extra special time with both sets of grandparents.

I think this could be a good year.