We’re back in the swing of piano, minus Sammy who’s just about “Zoom’d” out. And I get it. Learning virtually just isn’t the same, especially when you’re 6. The fatigue hit dance class too, though, to be honest I don’t think the virtual classes ever did it for SSA. Since we didn’t have a recital this weekend, classes have continued with the hope of some kind of recorded performance in the next few weeks – even if it’s cobbled together with recordings from people’s homes. But Steven, Sammy and Amaya are D-O-N-E and I’m not pushing. They’ve been total troopers all spring and online dance isn’t what they signed up for. Frankly, I didn’t make it to a single online class for Adult Tap. I had the best of intentions but, similarly, it’s not what I signed up for.
First kid ready for school still gets to design the lego contest of the day. Here, Steven is judging Sammy’s submission on how pretty it is.
Sammy is my Super Mario Run buddy. I have the game on both of my phones – one profile for Sammy and one for me (+ Steven and Amaya). It’s a big moment when you don’t understand something and your 6 year old explains it to you, which happens regularly in SMR (and Minecraft).
My boys.
When I took Steven to the eye doctor two weeks ago, Amaya asked if I could bring home a sample patch for her since I don’t let her play with Steven’s for fun. We did, and both finally remembered. Amaya does love to be patch twins with her brother, but also appreciates that she can take it off whenever she wants. (Which is a big reason why she generally can’t wear Steven’s. He doesn’t have that luxury.) On that, I’m not sure I mentioned that the eye doctor has suggested he wear his patch closer to 4 hrs/day rather than 2. She thinks it will reduce the time that he needs it. So we’re going for it and Steven is doing a great job!
Sweet sleeping Bobes and Morminer.
As part of school wind down, the kids each made videos about their favorite parts of kindergarten. I have no idea what any of them said (reminder to ask Penni) but Penni snapped this picture of Sammy watching his video playback for the class. <3
Penni coined this “princess and the pea”.
Penni had the great idea to do a “This summer I want to” writing assignment. God, I’ve got to get these kids to NY in August. We’re currently scheduled to visit 8/28- 9/6 and I’m holding out hope it can happen. (Believe it or not, the house across the street from my mom and Gene is an Airbnb that’s available so I booked it for the week as a precaution in case it’s still too soon for us to stay with them. And if flying still isn’t safe enough, I’m prepared to drive.)
Steven: “This summer I want to go to the beach and the JCC to swim and get cupcakes for the firefighters.”
He means the beach in NY but he is going to the beach at the lake every week. The JCC pool still isn’t open and I got an email last week that they don’t have a date yet because they don’t have a plan that they feel meets the county’s safety requirements. As for cupcakes, we’ll make that happen for sure even if we have to leave them at the door.
Amaya: “This summer I want to swim, JCC, and go to NYC, go to Charlie.”
Sammy: “This summer I want to swim, visit Nana, visit Savta!”
It’s hard because Amaya can talk on facetime for hours but it’s not quite Sammy’s jam so it’s a little harder for him to stay connected. Plus, Savta doesn’t have wifi and voice calls really don’t do the trick. (Mom – can you do more story time recordings with Savta? I can send some Tacky books. They’re Sammy’s favorites.)
Jason bought a kiwano melon for the kids to try. Steven wouldn’t touch it. Sammy didn’t like it. Amaya ate most of it on her own.
Crocs didn’t fit so Amaya upgraded. “Charlie has slides, too!”
Handsome Bubba.
Thursday was the LAST day of Kindergarten. I was pretty emotional about it and I think I’d have been just as emotional if the kids had been physically at school all this time. It was such a year of growing. On the one hand, it feels like yesterday that these big kids got on the school bus for the first time. On the other hand – actually, there’s really no other hand. Even with all of the learning and growning it still feels like yesterday.
I still can’t believe how the year ended but I’m grateful for the experiences SSA had at Thornton Creek and how hard everyone worked to maintain those connections and the learning from a distance. Now we have rising first graders! Holy cow.
Final zoom lessons!! (Though Steven and Sammy’s teacher lost power in a storm the night before and couldn’t join the luau via video so she’s trying to put together a different end-of-year option for Monday.)
Gabby and Penni conspired together to throw Steven, Sammy and Amaya one heck of a kindergarten graduation party. There were decorations, diplomas, gifts and a ton of food. It was so thoughtful and meant a lot to the kids (to all of us).
You can always count on Amaya to pause and pose. 🙂
Class of 2032! First graders!
Friday beach day! I told Penni I’ll take a day off soon and join them.
Amaya and Sammy were mesmerized by a remote control plane.
Cooking skills are paying off! We didn’t have shredded cheese for Taco Night so Sammy suggested using the cheese grater to shred cheese sticks. Clever boy.
This boy. I wish I could remember what we were talking about. It was after bedtime and I had a feeling that he needed a little extra TLC so I brought him downstairs and let him fall asleep on my lap.
Saturday morning research with Daddy.
Steven has a new glasses prescription and I originally planned to order his frames online but it just wasn’t working well so Steven and I took a trip to an optometrist to get new glasses – with transitions lenses so he can finally have sunglasses.
Steven convinced me to let him get three pair, instead of two. He opted for new lenses in his current pair of frames because he loves them so much and couldn’t decide between black/green and black/red – so we went with both + blue and green transition color lenses in his blue and green glasses. He’s earned them with all of that patching.
FIRST RESTAURANT IN THREE MONTHS!! We had to wear masks when we weren’t seated at our table and our server had a mask on the entire time but, other than that, it felt like business as usual. I hope it keeps up. Normalcy was so nice.
The Masked Clines
It’s an amazing weekend, weather wise. We spent a good chunk of the afternoon on the deck, and Steven made the most of it.
Photo credit: Amaya
(Successfully) soaking out a splinter.
I think a benefit of how skiddish Sally was for so long is that, now that she lets them, the kids really appreciate any chance to get close. SSA are interested in earning money so I’ve officially put them in charge of Sally’s food and water. We have two water bowls and one food bowl so it’s an even split. If they take care of it all week, they earn a dollar.
No beds for anyone and, now, for all intents and purposes Steven has moved back in with Sammy and Amaya. Sammy complains they’re too loud at night, which we’re managing, and tablets help ensure they let each other sleep in the morning.
Speaking of tablets – enjoying the day…
Sammy, counting money for a helicopter he bought.
We had an early dinner and then I took the kids for ice cream. Steven has never liked ice cream but he wanted to try it as part of a cookie sandwich. Success!
The Cline 5 wrapped up the day with a bike/scooter/car ride through the neighborhood.
Have a great week!