Pandemic Week 4: Easter

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:

  1. 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).
  2. How to organize files on the computer (including labeling files so that they are searchable).
  3. How to read the directions all the way through and make sure your have the correct documentation when you are doing something on-line.
  4. How to contact a teacher for help (email/zoom office hours).
  5. 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 the past week to complete assignments and the requisite documentation.  This is no easy matter for teachers to manage either.  Probably the best perspective on this is from comedian Jim Gaffigan.  Check out his snippet on CBS Sunday Morning here

Hunting Eggs....with money
In addition to school, there is the added challenge of making sure Anna stays active since there are no sports at the moment.  This is also a lesson as when you are practicing 3-4 times a week and suddenly there is nothing.....well you need to make some adjustments.  This week the swim team starts "virtual" practice.  We will see how that goes.

As for Easter, we managed to incorporate some traditions.  We colored a few eggs and made our own dye (the grocery stores was out).  The Easter bunny came and hid eggs in the backyard (the bunny recognized that Anna may be embarrassed to hunt eggs in the front yard).  Theresa made a lamb cake and Anna frosted is beautifully (this also compensated for the lack of coconut, which the grocery store was also out of).  We had a nice dinner and we had zoom chats with all the family today.  Anna got Grandma and Grandpa set up.  Cousin James even got Uncle Tom set up, so we were still able to catch up with family.  Grandma even had her rabbit ears on!  We couldn't go to in-person mass, but Anna and Theresa have been coming up with their own religious time on Sundays that has yielded more discussion.  In short, we made the most of the day.

Happy Easter!


Storm enjoying spring in the yard

Easter Dinner

The Lamb Cake

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