RBG

 I'm loving this mask a dear friend sent me. I'm debating whether I should wear it to church when we start going or not.

Birthday!

I think it's now official- everyone in our area family has now had a Covid Birthday! While we still couldn't go have a "real" party, we were still able to celebrate Grandma Marriott!

The girls helped decorate the cake. We chose Boston Cream Pie Cake, and it was DELICIOUS!

Valentine's

Like all things Covid, we had to think outside the box for us to be able to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.

I'm starting to get good at thinking outside the box.

Valentine's was on Sunday, but we celebrated Monday with our recess group. We had the kids exchange Valentine's, Claire and Camille made some cupcakes to share, and we had our traditional fondue in the evening.

It was chilly, but thankfully warm enough to be OK.

Overall, it turned out really well- the kids had a blast and it felt normal- at least as normal as things can be right now. All in all, I think the kids had a great day.

Plenty of sugar for everyone!

Claire and her bestie Hannah:

There were about 30 kids, here's just a few of them as we were about to leave.

Camille's Wolf box:

YUM! We sure do love our traditional Valentine's fondue! This year instead of making a separate main dish, which never seems to work, I got pot stickers as well for us to dip. It was perfect.

Too Cold!

 We are at FREEZING temps- a high of 7 degrees today- so I got the girls to sewing to keep us occupied while we are stuck inside.

Audra finished her quilt top- now she just needs to bind it and she's done. I'm so impressed- it turned out so beautiful!

And Claire made a Harry Potter pillowcase for a Birthday gift for a friend:

And now we will see if snow falls. We might get up to 6 inches. We will see.

This and That

We did this bubble experiement and the girls had fun with this for over an hour. It was pretty fun

Then, there was a little bit of snow so we went sledding. The cousins joined us, along with our recess group, and we had a great time!

And, Camille wanted her hair cut. I just think she is the cutest thing with this cut!

 

Project Based Learning

 In December, I decided to try something different with Child #2 who often struggles with motivation: switching to project based learning.

I gave her a list of subjects that are non-negotiable and that she has to do (math, reading, writing) but then said we were going to try something different- projects. Her first project would be to do a magazine about The Medieval Times. She was very excited and really dove into the project. So much so, Audra and Camille asked if they could make one, too. So, Audra made one about sleep and Camille made one about wolves.

We got lots of books from the library and they all researched for hours. It was actually quite impressive! 

So, we are continuing with the trend. Last week, they each presented a biography of an historical figure- Buddha, Erik the Red, and Charlemagne.

And, this week? They spent hours designing and building this Viking ship:

So, I would definitely say that Project Based Learning is a success. Now I need to come up with an idea for next week!

The Inauguration

 Lots, and lots, and lots of happy tears.

Here is what I wrote on FB about The Inauguration (and then I will go deeper):

I am not naïve enough to believe everything is going to change overnight. And, here's three things I am excited about and look forward to:

1. A president who is kind. Oh, how I have missed having a leader who is kind!

2. My daughters will grow up thinking having a female Vice President is normal. What a blessing for my daughters and our country!

3. This poem by Amanda Gorman is everything. If you couldn't bring yourself to watch the Inauguration, it is worth taking the time to listen to this poem about America and our pursuit to form a more perfect union. Her words are stunning, and written for all of us. With young women like her, our future is in good hands. Link below.

(also, Garth Brooks, Lady Gaga singing the Anthem and proclaiming, "The flag is still there!" - chills! , and the "Celebrating America" Inaugural celebration on TV last night-all wonderful things!)

https://youtu.be/0xvkAQTeSfE

(Joe Biden: If you're working with me and I hear you treating another colleague with disrespect, talking down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot." Presdient Biden while swearing in White House staff)

It is no secret I am not a fan of 45 and am thrilled to see him gone.

Waking up this morning was such a relief! No more incompetence, no more hate filled rants, no more attacks on legitimate news sources just because you don't like what they say, no more separating families at the border, no more lies, lies, and more lies- everyday, lies. No more!

Hearing President Biden speak! Oh, to listen to complete sentences with correct grammar- as if that wasn't enough- to listen to him speak of love and kindness, of working to help EVERY American, not just the ones who voted for him, of acknowledging the 400,000 people who died from Covid. It has been 308 days of the pandemic, and not until today did The President of the United States acknowledge and honor the victims.

I cried a lot while watching The Inauguration.

Never again will our country not have had a female Vice President. Hearing Kamala Harris sworn in was incredible. To go from a president who brags about grabbing women by the pu$$y, to having a woman as VP is just wonderful! Every American should rejoice in that.

Women have been overlooked and undervalued and disrespected and belittled and told they weren't good enough and underpaid for far too long. It was emotional seeing her get sworn in. We are still not equal, but we are getting there. I have so much respect for Madame Vice President and what she has done and accomplished- despite all the hate and vitriol she receives. There is a lot of disgusting things being said about her because of her gender and because of her race. But, she is leading the way and moving forward in grace and dignity. My daughters can look up to her and know that anything is possible. I didn't have that growing up. I grew up thinking a woman's value was only in the home. While, obviously, I am a stay at home mom and I am grateful every single day for that, that was my choice. Not every woman should be forced to make the same choice I did. We desperately need the female perspective at all levels- from the home to The White House.

Seeing Kamala Harris get sworn in is a feeling I don't ever want to forget. One of hope, gratitude, elation, and pure joy. This is a tremendous day for women everywhere! I am so proud to be a woman and to be raising strong daughters- daughters who I know have the power and capacity to change the world and do and be whatever they want to do and be because of women like Kamala Harris and all who went before to make this day possible.

Everything about The Inauguration was simply wonderful. I love the pomp and circumstance. It was very different- definitely the smallest crowd size of any Inauguration, no argument there, but one that showed a respect and love for ALL Americans- not just the ones who look like the president. It was one of unity, kindness, and JOY.

So much joy and relief today! Four years of terror are over. I feel like I can breathe again after 4 years!

It's a new day, a new dawn, a new life- and I'm feeling GOOD.