Gone Gray

The goal of writing everyday was lovely when it started but then some how despite being home as much as possible, I didn't seem to have time. So let's catch up. The skids did great with digital learning. I already thought their teachers were going above and beyond, and then I spoke with a neighbor who is also an elementary teacher. I'm very pleased to see how much the skids's teachers care about helping them to feel connected and successful. Also glad this neighbor isn't their teacher. No child is completely typical and my skids are no exception but they seem to be fairly typical learners. Because of this, they are doing well with the digital learning so far. Yes, they would rather be at school with their teachers and friends, but so far no push back on doing their work. I made it through with only missing one assignment that didn't become required until Monday. Our next custody is over spring break so I'm fairly certain we got the easy piece of DLD (w...

Notes from the Bridge... Just kidding. I will tell you that in the past 24 hours I have moved 24 bags of dirt 4 times. From the display to the cart. Cart to my car. Car to the side of the house. Side of the house to the back of the house. I need to find a way to log this on Training Peaks. Digital learning is going well. Of course by Day 5 we have it almost down to a system and the skids head back to their mom's on Sunday. Checked in with all the teachers and all assignments were turned in. I'm ready to turn over the reigns of their digital learning to their mom, but for 1 week, I got to feel connected to their teachers and learning, so that was kind of fun. I feel for all of you though whose job didn't stop just because the kids were home and how much added stress that dumped on your lap. The weather has been awesome so we took a ride in the Jeep with the top down. Skids had a blast and my proudest moment is teaching them how to ask the truckers to honk their h...

B asked me to try and blog everyday  so we would have something to look back at when this is all over. Because eventually, it will be all over. Yesterday I spoke with my parents who are having struggles getting groceries. Mom is extremely medically fragile and immuno-suppressed and dad is 70+ and lives with mom. We are doing our best to keep them out of the public. They tried ordering groceries for pick up from Kroger, and after a 24 hour window, they didn't receive half of what they ordered. So I am trying to help. I finally convinced them to send me a shopping list. Last night I popped out to Wal-mart and put my hands on what I could. Today I tried to get to Kroger when they opened around 5 am to be greeted by a sign they are now open 8am - 9pm. I don't begrudge this decision at all, I just didn't know. I also tried to order pick up from Kroger, but it would be a greater than 24 hour window so I shifted to Wal-mart. We'll see what I can actually pick up. Digital...

The neighbors have accused us of being "super parents, over achievers". We like to remind them that our time with the kids is limited, so each custody is a sprint, not a marathon. This week is no different. I like to think I have my sh!t together. Because it's a sprint, I can usually balance my day job, my part time job, my officiating, the dog, and the family fairly well. I mean it took lots of times before I didn't cry at least once a custody from exhaustion, feeling of inadequacy, etc. but it did come around. Until this week. I have not grown up with the kids and their school progression of technology nor their connections with their teachers. We only have them 1 school week a month and sometimes that week is a vacation or shortened due to school closures. We keep up with their schooling the best we can to be encouraging, support expectations, make sure they know we care about their learning. But honestly, when it comes to the daily grind, their mom handles m...

I have no idea what's going on. What's over reacting? What's being socially responsible? What's being a good neighbor? What's being paranoid? Not thinking we are special here, but it's an interesting set up for sure. We have the kids, but only for 1 week. I guess that makes us a little lucky as we only have digital learning for a 2nd and 4th grader for 1 week unless their mom asks for a reprieve to which we will gladly help, but she usually has this stuff under control. B's office hasn't gone remote yet so we are waiting on that news. My lacrosse games have been canceled at least until April and then maybe the rest of the season. I am an adjunct professor this semester and my in-person class I was just figuring out has gone virtual. My "day job" works with a medically fragile social community supported by mostly family foundations. My sister is immune compromised. My mom is immune compromised. My dad is over 70. B's folks fall...