News:
School starts in less than two weeks, and I am sooo not ready! This summer has both lasted an eternity and flown by too quickly (although I am READY for fall). The world is still batshit bananas right now, and our children are having to deal with that on top of starting school and learning in new and unconventional ways. We've tried to make a little nook for our son to use as a school space, so we'll see how that works out! My biggest concern is keeping the girls occupied while he's "in class" during the day. Last year, he would have two 30 minute sessions every week, and now they're going to have actual school hours with breaks in between lessons. I feel like it's going to be SO MUCH WORK, but hopefully it's effective and manageable. Wish me luck!
It's also still raining, haha. We went for a bike ride in the rain just to get out of the house and do something. We ended up at a playground where we continued playing in the rain. 😁
Previous week on the blog:
- Sunday: The Sunday Post [55]
- Monday: Ink & Sigil (Ink & Sigil, #1) by Kevin Hearne (★★★★⋆)
- Tuesday: All Eyes on Her by L.E. Flynn [Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway] (★★★★☆)
- Wednesday: My Weekly Pull [129] & Can't-Wait Wednesday [104]
- Thursday: NA
- Friday: NA
- Saturday: The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman, Narrated by Simon Vance (★★★★⋆)
What I'm currently reading:
Quintessence by Jess Redman
Where Dreams Descend (Kingdom of Cards, #1) by Janella Angeles
Lair of Dreams (The Diviners, #2) by Libba Bray 🎧
What I plan on reading next:
Fable (Fable, #1) by Adrienne Young
Recommended for You by Laura Silverman
A Rogue of One's Own (A League of Extraordinary Women, #2) by Evie Dunmore
What I'm watching:
We watched The One and Only Ivan when it popped up on Disney+. The kids really liked it! I didn't realize it had such an amazing cast of characters until I started recognizing certain voices. I also had no idea it was based on a true story, or that there was a book out there that the movie was based on.
Challenge updates:
- Read the Alphabet Challenge 17
- Audiobook Challenge 21 / 50+
- Beat the Backlist Challenge 31 / 110
- Discussion Challenge 2 / 1-10
- Goodreads Challenge 232 / 365
Enjoy these last days of summer! It definitely sounds like it's going to be challenge when your son starts school!
ReplyDeleteA few of my friends are already dealing with online learning and homeschooling, and I feel better about it after hearing how they've been coping with the changes. Educators have had an entire summer to familiarize themselves with new methods of teaching, so hopefully it won't feel so horribly cobbled together like last year. I know they were trying to make the best of a bad situation, but it wasn't conducive to learning. It was also only twice a week, so there wasn't even consistency to fall back on. Fingers crossed!
DeleteI hope schooling goes smoothly, I’m sure it’s going to be a challenge but I’m sure you will rise to it
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Thanks! I have high hopes for this semester since the teachers should be better prepared for online learning and all that entails. There's supposed to be more/longer screen time with teachers, small group instruction, and one-one-one learning throughout the week. It already sounds like it will be better than what we had at the end of last year. Twice-weekly instruction for 30 minutes with 25+ students (some that didn't know how to mute their microphones). We'll see!
DeleteSeems like school is going to be an epic challenge this year no matter what route parents take. My niece starts school tomorrow (in person) and I am so nervous for her. I just don't see it lasting long.
ReplyDeleteI'm nervous for you both! I'm scared for all of the kids starting school in-person, because there's no way to make sure they keep their masks on 24/7, stay 6 feet away from each other, don't touch their faces... there's so much to contend with ON TOP OF teaching every day. We opted for online learning the first semester, and I think that will be easier to manage and definitely less stressful.
DeleteI can’t wait for Autumn to properly start, I have had enough of this year so far, Autumn makes me happy, hopefully it will this year!
ReplyDeleteSchool is such a touchy subject, here in Scotland is panicking again because cases are rising and some of the cases have been at school in our local area, when is it ever going to end, I do wonder if this will be our new normal for the foreseeable!
Hope you have a good week!
Same! Autumn makes me happy! The leaves changing colors and falling, the crispness of the air as you breathe it in, the snuggly clothes! Hopefully it impacts my mood in a positive way, because I definitely need the boost!
DeleteI hate that this is considered the new normal. You have people wanting to send kids back to school because it's convenient for them, and not necessarily safe. I know parents need to work, but teachers aren't babysitters. Their lives matter too, and it's hard to keep children from touching their faces, or keeping them 6 feet away from each other. They're hard concepts for them to grasp.
I admire all the parents who have to juggle multiple children, home instruction, and maybe even WFH. It's a lot. You wouldn't opt for homeschooling? Then at least you wouldn't be locked into the schedule. I am only saying that because I know you have the background to do it. It's definitely challenging times.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how people are doing home instruction AND working from home. I'm thankful I can just focus on getting my kiddos through each day, and making sure they're as happy as they can be during all of this craziness. It's hard, and I try to still focus on myself whenever I can, but at the end of day I'm just ready to crash. Self care is hard right now! I want to work out, read, blog, comment, keep the house clean, play with the kids... there's so much to do in a single day, but it's impossible to do everything. I have to pick and choose what's important.
DeleteI considered homeschooling over home instruction from the school, but our son WANTS a teacher. He wants to engage with other students. I don't want to take that away from him, even if it would be easier for me.
We watched the final episode of NOS4A2 last night and are waiting for shows to start on Netflix and of course Fall TV. Our Sophia is doing well in Kindergarten with masks. Keeping my fingers crossed for all. Loving your haul!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what NOS4A2 is! 😂 I'm happy your Sophia is doing well at school! I know keeping masks on kids all day can be a struggle, especially on top of everything else. <3
DeleteSchool starts in two weeks for us too! Matt is school support so I'm curious how the teachers will approach it. I really feel bad for the kids and parents, no one knows how to navigate this!
ReplyDeleteHow much rain have you guys had and will it ever stop???
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
We had another storm last night, so the rain continues! What does Matt do as school support? I have a friend whose husband is moving out for the duration of the school year. She works from home and her mother-in-law watches the kids during the day/helps with their schooling, and they don't want him to potentially bring COVID into the house. The MIL is high risk, so he's moving in with a college for the time being. He'll come home occasionally and talk to the kids through a door. It's really heartbreaking.
DeleteGood luck with school! I hear ya, it's crazy. It starts here tomorrow too and will be so different. Can we stop 2020 and get off?
ReplyDeleteLove that cover of Fable so much!
How is school going? We still have about a week to mentally prepare. I love that stores are showcasing all of their back-to-school supplies, but their not flying off the shelves this year. People don't need school supply lists when they're learning from home. Most parents already have scissors, crayons, paper, etc. This 2020 train sucks.
DeleteIt's going okay! My youngest started remote- they have live classrooms for the kids who came back for in- person, and she logs in remotely to those classes. I guess it's going okay so far haha. :) I'm glad she's not there risking getting the Covid...
DeleteIt's a clusterfuck. All of it... politics, school, the Covid...
DeleteI'm astonished at the amount of rain you're getting. Is it a Virginia thing?
ReplyDeleteI hope schooling from home will be manageable! Thank goodness, your son is a great little guy who can take this (I'm sure he can), but still...it's NOT FAIR. And I understand your concerns about keeping the girls occupied at the same time. Good luck!
I think it's because we live so close to the coast? I honestly have no idea. I'm just ready for some sunshine and cooler weather. :) My kiddos are great, so hopefully home instruction isn't too terrible. The teachers have had more time to prepare and learn about the different programs, so fingers crossed it's easier to navigate this year. They've already sent out a tentative schedule, and he will definitely be "in the classroom" more this time around.
DeleteBatshit bananas... That's the best description I've heard lately to cover it all.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about summer being over quickly but also lasting an eternity. The little dude goes back to school next week and UK schools are back in actual classrooms. Should be interesting! Good luck with the online classes and keeping the twins busy during school.
It's been wet and cold here the last few days and I'm now firmly in autumn mode! It's my favourite time of year and I'm so looking forward to it!
Lol! It's definitely batshit bananas right now. ;) My son starts back tomorrow and I am ready, but also not... I think he's looking forward to it, but bummed he doesn't get to be around other kids. Our weather has felt noticeably cooler the last few days, and I am here for it!
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