Back to School and a High Schooler/Driver!

 Welp, the Covid-19 pandemic threw a wrench in the school year we'd always envisioned. This was supposed to be the year Lorelei walked through the doors of her high school, a freshman, and Gryffin started 7th grade. I was supposed to be working at Gryffin's school.

(Seriously can't believe this girl is in high school!)

Instead, the kids are home learning online through Virtual Ed, which has had a lot of hiccups and scheduling snafus, but that we're also super grateful for because we aren't of the opinion that schools right now are safe. This week, our country hit 200,000 deaths, and with an aerosolized virus, being huddled into small classrooms doesn't feel like a great idea, and our health department has strongly advised the school leaders against it.

Feeling unsafe, I quit my school job before the school year started because our district decided to ignore the gating criteria of the Johnson County Dept. of Health, and settled for a more watered down version... so I got a new job and start next week. After training, I get to work from home, so it's perfect! 

Meanwhile, the kids are absolutely LOVING getting to school from home, and think this is the best school year ever. Seriously, they're glowing. And I kind of love that they love being at home, even as much as I'd hoped for a normal school year.

We did the usual start-of-year traditions: no-bake cookies on back to school week, and a visit from the Backpack Fairy who brought some Canadian cherry blaster candies and water balloons, both a huge hit.

Lorelei went to the high school to pick up her MacBook.

And Gryffin invited friends over on the first day of school for what we now call "lunch bunch." These boys (almost all in Virtual Ed, and most of them scouts) gather in a different driveway every single day at lunch time. 

This was our first day driveway lunch bunch. Gryffin wouldn't cooperate for pics.

I joke that each time I pull away, I feel like they're turning into this bunch of old men I photographed in Greece. Ha!

Most of the time, the kids are taking over the dining room table for their Zoom classes, but sometimes go off into their own rooms. I don't check on them too much; they're both responsible and I trust them to be on top of things, which is such a huge blessing. This photo was from their first day, which was a bit confusing especially for Lorelei, who has been assigned no less than four AP Euro teachers. We're just doing our best to give everyone grace, and hope that grace is returned in this tumultuous year. So far, the teachers have been champs, and so have these kids. So proud of them!

And one last bit of back-to-school news: today, Lorelei passed the exam and just snagged that coveted learner's permit! She studied her heart out for that one. We celebrated with some Starbucks mango passionfruit and pumpkin latte drinks. Excited to have a driver-in-training. Look out, Overland Park! ;)

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and safe school year!