Cat

Naturally, Korra wanted to be a cat for Halloween. Not just any cat, an orange and white cat. This is the best I could do. 

Halloween Party for Two

Korra and her friend had a mini Halloween party today. There was supposed to be pumpkin decorating, but mostly they just ate lots of candy and played pretend like usual. 

7th Percentile!

Korra had her yearly check up today and she's made it up to the 7th percentile for weight and height!  We haven't seen that since she was an infant!

In less exciting news, she was supposed to get a TB test (for DFCS/adoption process) but because of the power outages yesterday, the clinic didn't feel their supply of vaccines was safe.  So now we have to wait a few weeks and go back or see if we can find another place to get a TB test for an 8 year old.  Fun times!

Zeta

Really strong wind and rain last night from the hurricane left a whole lot of people in the city without power or internet, which means... they cancelled online school!  Best of all, we have power and internet AND my sister-in-law Genevieve is in town for an appointment tomorrow so we get to have a fun girls' day!  Currently painting our nails while watching Addams Family with plans to bake cookies for the new neighbor that's moving in upstairs.

Banned Books

In the midst of my Media Literacy unit (fake news, media bias, etc), we're also talking about author's purpose. Discussing purposes like persuade and inform leads to writing persuasive essays and middle schoolers' favorite: debate. As I was looking through The Hate U Give for debate topics (naturally, it's the novel we're reading for this unit), I realized it's a banned book, which means we can discuss and then debate censorship- which goes perfectly with media literacy!  I feel like I'm really making use of my media specialist skills this year!

Not very engaged

Probably 25% of my students (so, 6 kids) we're totally checked out today. Cameras off. No responses in the chat. Not answering when I called in them. It was really discouraging and frustrating. I know I've had plenty of days like that in the classroom, but it feels extra challenging online. I can't pull them aside for a chat. I can't stand close to keep them focused. I can't send them to go get a drink of water to wake up. 

Overall, I still think I'm doing a really good job of this online teaching thing. And I still think staying online is for the best with cases as high as they are. But dang, I miss normal teaching. 

Even in the rain...

Last night, we had a fun outdoor hang-out on the front porch of some friends while it poured rain. We decided that during the fall and winter, we're just going to need to be prepared and dress appropriately if we want to keep seeing people.  

Korra's Awards

Today was the End of Quarter celebration/presentation for our school.  Korra got SEVEN awards.  Perfect attendance, All As, the Love award, the Leadership award, the Quick Keys Award, the Sunshine award, and the highest kickboard points earner. I'm a little proud. 

SEL applications

We teach a lot of social-emotional skills at our schools.  This virtual school year, I'm using it so much more.  Mindful minutes.  Breathing exercises.  Yoga and stretching breaks.  I'm doing these in every class and several times a day between classes.  I don't know how I'd make it through without these skills.

Wonderkid & Imaginarium

Tonight's dinner was as delightful and enjoyable as you'd expect from a restaurant called Wonderkid and a brewery called The Imaginarium. We enjoyed the best fried chicken I've ever had, corn on the cob roasted with bacon, crispy garlic green beans, creamy macaroni and cheese, a big slice of salted caramel cake, and a sweet potato coconut hand pie- all on an outdoor patio on a gloriously beautiful evening. Such a nice middle-of-the-week mood booster. 

Hankie Embroidery

I bought some hankies and embroidered this in the corner tonight. 

Apple crisp!

Made my first apple crisp of the season!  Yum! My oatmeal is going to be so delicious for the next week. 

Drug test

Nate and I peed in some cups today. Our DARE programs would be proud that we both passed our drug tests. Extra fitting since it's Red Ribbon Week. 

Social Butterflies

Had dinner with friends two nights in a row. It was so wonderful. 

Cabin Recap

 Went for a walk. Roasted marshmallows over the fire. Watched movies. Decorated pumpkins and trick-or-treating bags. Talked. Read. Ate. Napped. It was lovely.

Culvers

 On our way back from the cabin, we stopped at Culvers for frozen custard and fried cheese curds.  YUM!

12 Years

I have blogged continuously (almost daily) for 12 years as of today.  Nearly 9,000 posts.  You're welcome.

Girls Time at Cabin

 Headed to the cabin for a couple of days with my mom, my niece, and Korra!

Calvin and Hobbes/Korra and Tigey

All weekend Korra was either reading Calvin and Hobbes comics or drawing her own comics. 

Migraine

Spent 9 hours of my day in bed because of a migraine. At least it's a rainy day to match how I feel. 

43 lbs

Korra, at 8 years old, finally weighs more than the amount I gained during my pregnancy with her. 

Relief

Even though the public schools in our district are all reopening to in-person learning in some capacity, our school has decided to remain virtual for all of October and November. 92% of staff, 72% of parents, and 67% of students said they felt unsafe returning. This is bound to be unpopular among some families and we might have financial consequences (enrollment) in the future, but I am so thankful. The plan as of right now is to go in-person in shifts (staff and students) in December just for testing. I think I can handle that, especially since I know they have 2 months to make a solid plan for those 2-3 weeks. 

Town Hall

Just starting the staff "Town Hall" about if we're going back to school and what that will look like.  I'm absolutely freaking out. 

Katy

My principal has spelled my name wrong for 3 years.  Katy.  Every time.  No matter how many times I sign emails with it spelled correctly.  Today, he actually sent me an email where he spelled it Katy at the beginning and Katie at the end.  Then sent an apology for spelling it two ways.  Which tells me he STILL has no idea which way it's spelled.  

Why are people who are trying so hard hurting so badly?

I read these quotes today and they resonate in my soul. 

There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they're falling in. 

-Archbishop Desmond Tutu

When I started looking upstream, I learned that where there is great suffering, there is often great profit. 

-Glennon Doyle