Anna Grows

Anna prepping to cook stir fry COVID-19 cases in the DC metro area continue to rise - something that was not unexpected.  Most folks are wearing masks in public places and the stay at home order remains in effect.  While the Maryland & Virginia Governors, along with the DC Mayor, began talking about a phased re-opening, it seems likely it will be the end of May at best. Meanwhile, this week marked the return of on-line school for Anna and a new routine.  At the beginning of the week, Anna started each morning with a Mom meeting to go over the assignments for the day.  As the week progressed, Anna was late to her meetings (and Mom had other meetings booked for work, so that did not work so well).  At the end of the day, work was still not completed, leading Mom to wonder what was going on (she had her suspicions).  Thanks to some research by Dad and the handy parental controls on web browsing, it quickly became clear that there was a significant amount of YouTube videos (not s

Anna on a new trail near the neighborhood It will be a spring break we will never forget.  Theresa thought about checking the temperature in Florida, but decided against it.  Anna spent most of the week catching up on school work from the previous two weeks.  We clearly need to work out our routine....especially if this is going to go on for some time.  Here are some of the highlights from the week: Anna got caught up on her school work (not an easy task) Theresa was appreciating that fact that Anna is not currently in public school after seeing their first week of Fairfax County virtual school go down in flames (they canceled it for the week, meaning that kids have now been out of school for 5 weeks).  It is generally not a good thing to find yourself on the front page of the Washington Post if you are a school. Joe got 10 bags of mulch....and his grass seed is growing Theresa's virtual background for work for a few days was beach chairs and an umbrella Anna started dr

Anna's classroom this week Happy Easter 2020!  This is also spring break week for Anna.  Although we may not be relaxing on the beach in Florida, it is a welcome break from the first 2 1/2 weeks of online school. Anna is very fortunate that her school was prepared to go online.  The parents (including us), however, were not ready.  Online learning requires a different set of skills, such as: How to use email to keep records (Anna was deleting her email, which is a problem when you need proof that you sent something to your teacher). How to organize files on the computer (including labeling files so that they are searchable). How to read the directions all the way through and make sure your have the correct documentation when you are doing something on-line. How to contact a teacher for help (email/zoom office hours). How to plan ahead and make sure you know your deadlines without the teacher there to remind you. Let's just say there were some late nights over t

Working in the garden We knew it was only a matter of time, but this week the Virginia Governor (along with the Maryland Governor and DC Mayor) issued a stay-at-home order.  Only essential trips for supplies or for work for those designated professions.  The order is in place through June 10. If there was any hope that school events (like 8th grade graduation) may resume, it was dashed this week.  The soccer season was officially canceled.  The rest of the Vienna Jammers season was canceled.  We continue to make the best of it.  Here are some of the highlights from the week: Joe solved his barbershop closure problem by purchasing hair clippers.  With a little help from YouTube and Anna, he managed a decent haircut. Anna finished another week of virtual school.  The highlight was the daily zoom meetings. A series of decorative rocks could be found around the neighborhood, thanks to the creativity of one family who left them for the little kids to find on a scavenger hunt. Th