Last day of school 2021

 Yesterday wrapped up another school year ... another one that definitely falls in the "weird and not at all what we would have expected" category!

The school year began as 100% due to the COVID pandemic, transitioned to a hybrid model, and finished with in-person school. We've said it before and will say it again, we cannot be more impressed with our our kids' school has handled the pandemic and made sure the students continued to grow and learn. Kudos to the teachers for being adaptable and being able to pivot on a dime!

Annika finished 7th grade and Conor wrapped up 5th grade with smiles on their faces and excitement for the upcoming summer. (Interestingly, the prospect of entering her final year at CKS is putting a slight damper on Annika's excitement. We thought she'd be over the moon with the idea of high school only a year away ... not so much!

Both kiddos are grateful to have had the opportunity to be at school this year, even for an abbreviated amount of time while maintaining social distancing requirements and wearing masks. They adapted remarkably well to all of the changes that were thrown into life and rose to the occasion. They greatly enjoyed the lack without uniforms this year (sorry kids, uniforms will be back in the fall) and their ability to have a bit more self expression.

We look forward to a summer that will afford more freedoms and grant us more opportunities for "normal" than we had last year. Bring on swimming, fun, adventures, hikes, and more!

Conor's Year-end Interview

Favorite thing to do in your free time: Play video games

Favorite color: Tangerine

Favorite book: Warriors Into The Wild

Favorite TV show: Gravity Falls

Favorite food: Pizza

When I grow up, I want to be: Rocket scientist

My favorite thing about 5th grade was: Ms. Adler

Something cool I learned in 5th grade was: Area is a 3-dimensional way of saying how much something can hold

Something I want to learn in 6th grade is: quantum physics

Something I want to do over the summer is: see a lot of volcanos while on a helicopter

Annika's Year-end Interview

Favorite thing to do in your free time: Draw

Favorite color: Seafoam green

Favorite book: Percy Jackson

Favorite TV show: Dr. K's Avian and Exotics (vet show)

Favorite food: Schnitzel

When I grow up, I want to be: a vet

My favorite thing about 7th grade was: Going back to in-person school

Something cool I learned in 7th grade was: Geography

Something I want to learn in 8th grade is: Animal biology

Something I want to do over the summer is: Overnight trip anywhere

Week 1: DONE!

 The kids officially have the first week of the 2020-2021 school year under their belts. True, they attended school from home, but they were still "in" school!!

Conor says his first week of fifth grade was "a fun week that was a good learning experience." (Not sure if that means he's done now - haha!) He thinks his teacher (Ms. Adler) is just about the best thing ever, which isn't a surprise. We figured that out when Annika was in her class two years ago.

Annika has decided her first week of seventh grade was "eventful and tiring." She said the biggest plus of being back in school is seeing her school friends, even if it is only on the computer screen. We also found out last night that Annika will be in the higher of the two math classes offered to 7th graders - way to go, Sis!!

Both kids are holding out hope that they'll be able to attend school in person at some point during the school year. (Eric and I aren't holding our breath on that, but who knows??)

Because time is SO odd these days, it wasn't until right before bed that I remembered we had yet to take the kids' first day of school photos. So, please excuse the fact they look a bit tired and discombobulated in the shots below. They were. So was I. :)  I still need to take the photos of them wearing their "Class of" shirts... am hoping to get to that this weekend (assuming the wildfire smoke that is currently hovering in the area lifts enough to make breathing outside a bit more comfortable ... ahhh, 2020 - you have been an interesting year!)

 

How The Olson Four Quarantine

It's funny how time loses meaning when a global pandemic hits. My apologies, dear readers, for the painfully long gap since my last post. I intend to be more mindful of our day-to-day lives and up my documentation game!

Never in all of our days did we expect to wear masks when we leave the house, have the kids do remote school for over 3 months, swap out social interactions for video calls/events, and find the grocery stores so low on everyday supplies (hello, flour and toilet paper!). Life has definitely changed, but we really can't complain. We are all healthy and in good spirits. The kids miss seeing their friends in non-virtual ways, but at least they have the technology available to see each other and catch up.

Speaking of catching up... here's a quick summary of how we've spent much of the 2020 pandemic.

Shortly after the quarantine/stay-at-home orders went into effect, we celebrated St. Patrick's Day. We sported our newly-made Irish themed t-shirts to show our Irish pride!

Irish girl

Got green??

Speaking of all things Irish, one shift that was made during the pandemic is Annika's Irish dance class switched from in-person lessons to live video lessons. Her teachers, once again, proved how amazing they are and quickly adapted how they approach dance lessons so the students didn't miss a beat... no pun intended! (OK, maybe a little pun intended!) It has been a real treat to watch (and listen to) Annika's lessons. She is always so happy when she is wearing ghillies and is jigging this way and that!

Annika during a remote dance class

Mask-making has been another major focus around our home. We don't go out often, but when we do, we need masks. We need multiple masks per person to account for washing them after each use and me not wind up doing mask laundry every day. I've also made masks for people we know who don't sew or just because I wanted to! :)

Conor sporting one of his masks

She has her big eyes!

Mask up!

Arg, me matey!

Needless to say, I've continued to make my little heart out, but without having co-workers to feed each Thursday (I've been working from home 100% since the 1st week in March), I haven't had as many people to feed baked goods to.  That said, I remain dedicated to my baking efforts, just a bit more scaled back from pre-pandemic. I have been asked to make a few specialty items along the way, too, including wedding-themed cookies for an virtual bridal shower, a toilet paper cake for the kids' school auction (also virtual), and I taught a (virtual ... noticing a theme??) cookie decorating class for work.

Challah... future French toast

Decorated cookies for the remote class I taught "at" work

TP cake for the CKS auction

Made this for 3/14 ... PIE DAY

For my co-worker's daughter's virtual bridal shower

Strawberry/rhubarb pie (my quest to make a non-liquidy pie)

Can't beat warm bread!

Sorry, Huck. No cookies for you!

For a family friend's b-day

Sourdough bagels because ... well, why not???

Speaking of food, a local culinary school has shifted from in-person classes to virtual classes. Right before the quarantine, my sister and I took a roasted chicken class (in person!) which was a lot of fun and we learned so much! During the quarantine, Conor and I took a virtual class that taught us how to make gyozas and a very yummy dipping sauce. I also took a Baja fish taco class that has changed our culinary lives.

Conor following along with our online instructor

Beyond good gyozas!

I mentioned before that the kids spent the last 3+ months of the school year learning from home. Eric and I cannot give their school enough props and praise for how they handled this whole situation. They simply did not miss a beat! The school had a planned teacher in-service day in early March. They shifted it to a two-day in-service day so the teachers could learn how to teach remotely. The following Monday, boom!, the kids were online and learning from home.

Annika's 3-D cell model
(made of reusable/recyclable/compostable materials only)

Example of Conor's music homework

PE time!

Annika's Missionary Discipleship class
continued to think of others and spread positivity

Conor's robot Art homework

Example of Conor's art homework

Annika's botanical self portrait for Art class

Each Friday had its own theme for school. This was the magic-themed day.

Last day of school - they did it!!!

No one could have guessed how this
school year would evolve, that's for sure!

We have also found random things to keep us busy/occupied/not climbing the walls, including lots of puzzles/games, knitting, random art projects, playing virtual reality games, musical interludes, and taking a few moments now and then to sit in the sun and enjoy a moment of quiet.

Eric playing VR

Our window art gallery

Annika's Eiffel Tower puzzle

 

Our little knitters

Annika and Huck enjoying the hammock

We hope you are doing well, staying healthy, washing your hands, and wearing a mask! We miss seeing our loved ones in person and hope we can reconnect with you soon!

1st day of school 2019

Yes, I'm still playing catch up, but am getting a bit closer. Slowly but surely.

Our kids started back to school the day after Labor Day and have hit the ground running! Annika is officially a middle school student now that she's in 6th grade. Conor is in 4th grade and is quick to agree with Annika that the 4th grade teacher is amazing!!

This fall's activities line up for the Olson crew includes: Irish dance (both kids), figuring out middle school (Annika), CYO soccer (Conor), ongoing Wired for Reading tutoring (Annika), band (Conor - percussion), choir (Conor, because why NOT add more things to the list), Bite of Broadview planning (Eric and Meredith), and altar server at church (Annika). WHEW!!! (Yes, I will be a lump on the floor by the time this fall wraps up.... thanks for asking!)

It wouldn't be a real first day of school without the required "stand in the yard while holding a sign for your mother and do it quickly so we aren't late for school" photos.

They are growing into these shirts much too quickly for my liking!

And now, a few of the outtakes...

RITUS 2019 Cookies

Each year at our kids' school, the 8th grade participates in a ritual called RITUS. (It used to be called Potlatch, but apparently a Catholic school using a Native American word ruffled some feathers outside of the school community ... hence the renaming.)

The 8th graders work for months to prepare for this ceremony, which in many ways provides them with the avenues to explore who they want to become as they evolve into adults. They learn how to drum, memorize poetry and prose, learn songs, make masks that represent their inner selves, and more. They talk about shared memories from each year at the school ... often evoking tears and laughter from all involved. It is a moving experience to watch; I promise you that I'll be a puddle on the ground when our kids are 8th graders and participate in their own RITUS ceremonies.

For the past 5 (I think) years, I've made personalized cookies for the 8th graders. They are supposed to be a surprise for the kids, but Annika informed me (in no uncertain terms) that "Mom... EVERYONE knows about the cookies. It is NOT a surprise. At. All." Well, then.... OK.

In years past, I was asked to make cookies that showed the animal totem each student chose. Let me tell you, that was no small task. Last year, with the renaming of the ceremony, the approach to the cookies changed and I was asked to make crosses for the kids instead. WAY easier. This year, I did a blue/green filigree pattern with their names (21 in all) decorated with gold luster dust. In all honesty, I didn't put much thought into the specifics of the actual design until right before I needed to do it, and would have chosen to do the filigree in silver, but didn't have any silver luster dust. Hence, green/blue filigree.

They sort of ended up with an old-world feel to me, and I like that. Happy? Yeah, I'm happy. I was THRILLED when I delivered them to the school and didn't break any en route. (It's the small things sometimes!)

Throwback Thursday: 60s Style

Last month during Catholic Schools Week, each day consisted of a different dress-up opportunity. The Thursday of CSW was "throwback day" and the kids could pick an outfit based on a specific decade. I "helped" the kids pick the 60s knowing it would be easy (duh!) and convenient to work Annika's cast into her outfit.

We had tie dye coming out of our ears with this one, but I think everyone will agree that they looked pretty darned adorable! Groooooovy, man!

School Talent Show 2019

Yesterday, the kids' school had its annual talent show, which is part of Catholic Schools Week, and what a show it was! The show is always on Student Appreciation Day, which this year, was their "crazy clothes day", too. Mix and match those patterns, my loves! MIX AND MATCH!

As you may recall, dear readers, that for past shows, our children have demonstrated such talents as singing while doing a headstand, whistling, making banana bread, and doing a stand-up comedy routine with a puppet. This year, Conor opted to demonstrated how to make a few balloon sculptures and Annika (pre-broken arm) planned to do a little Irish dancing). Once we got word that Annika would be able to avoid surgery on her arm (wooo hooo!!!), we recruited her to be Conor's assistant for his routine. Ta da!!

Conor (with a little guidance from home and with OK from his principal) opted to make a balloon heart and two different swords. He practiced very hard on his creations (the hills of balloon corpses left scattered around our home is a testament to his practice!) and what he could say during his act. 

When it came time for them to take the stage, the kids were amazing!! Conor adeptly created the heart and amazed all of the kids in the audience. (His deadpan instructions were probably the piece de resistance of the routine, if I'm being 100% honest.!! Without trying to, Conor embodied the comedian Steven Wright to a T.) Conor then moved on to the more difficult of the two swords (the trident sword) and really showed how much poise he has ... and Annika provided a great deal of moral support. We prepped way more balloons than we thought he'd need, but he wound up needing every one of those balloons because more than ever before popped during the sculpting process. Much to Conor's credit, the popping balloons didn't phase him or ruffle his feathers. He simply tossed the popped balloons aside and started over. Meanwhile, Annika would lean in to the mic to explain that "even if a balloon pops, that's ok! Just try again. It just gives you more practice!"

After quite a few attempts, Conor conquered his trident sword and (out of a sense of generosity?) opted to throw it to the audience, which basically created a mob that surged for the stage. As the the teachers jumped in and got the crowd back to their seats, the kids were still on stage with Conor at the mic saying "No! No! I'm not done yet!" (By this point, I was shaking with laughter... tears streaming down my face!)

He finished his next sword and, apparently not learning from the first time, also threw it into the crowd .... creating another balloon-focused mob rush toward the stage. The teacher, once again, jumped into defensive mode and got the kids wrangled and back under control. I'm pretty sure my laughter subsided around 10 minutes later after the last acts wrapped up. (Best ab workout ever!)

We are incredibly proud of our kids for having the courage to stand on stage in front of their entire school. They had poise, charisma, humor, and a great rapport. 

To our sweet performers, you two did a fantastic job!! We love you and are impressed by your bravery and love your creativity!