The Accidental Boilermaker

We did a thing. We finally took down the gazebo over the hot tub. It was old and gross. It didn’t make the hot tub less dirty, it just made it harder to clean. The hot tub is less private now, but both our neighbors have fences and our backyard neighbors are almost never outside. 

 Evelyn wore all unicorn on Tuesday. It was so hot all week we got popsicles to enjoy after school.  There was a fort4fitness event on Thursday. They both ran a mile and then we changed into swim suits to cool off in the splash pad.  Today Jameson and I went to the zoo. 

 Evelyn’s first full week of school went well. It sounds like she is making new friends and getting the hang of a whole new and different routine.  Jameson and I did lots of fun stuff. Wednesday we went downtown to Promenade Park and he got to play in the splash pad.  Friday night we met Nate at the zoo. The penguins were especially active swimming and jumping in the water.  The weekend was very relaxed. On Sunday Evelyn lost her second front tooth!

 Evelyn started first grade today. Our district gave us the option of 5 days in-person learning or 5 days of remote learning and we chose in-person. Evelyn has to wear a mask and she is cohorted with her class. They do everything together - eat lunch in their classroom, play together in one zone during recess. They do change zones every day.  Evelyn said she had two friends from her kindergarten class and she made new friends with a couple of girls.  Around lunchtime I received a call from school and it was the nurse who said Evelyn wants to talk to you. Drop off was a little crazy - I wasn’t sure what door Evelyn was supposed to be at, Evelyn didn’t know either and she got a little teary not knowing what to do, so I was worried that maybe she was having rough first day. But no, she had lost her front tooth during lunch and the nurse gave her the option to call me. 

 Thursday we went for a short hike. I wished we had done more hiking but we just ran out of time.  We got yummy treats at a bakery just down the road from the state park, ate lunch and then went back to the beach.  The afternoon was great until I realized I had a missed call from Jameson’s school that I needed to return. Long story short - due to low enrollment and staff shortages Jameson morning preK class was being merged with the afternoon class. I wasn’t very happy - we had made decisions about Evelyn’s transportation to and from school based on Jameson’s placement. But in the end I think it will be ok. School is going to have Jameson ready to be picked up a few minutes early so we can be back home in time for Evelyn to get off the bus.  Mimi read lots of books to Evelyn and Jameson and taught them how to play Old Maid which they loved.  Friday morning we climbed the dune. It was early enough we almost had the whole beach to ourselves.  We walked along ...

 We got to the dunes Tuesday around dinner time. We had chili with corn bread that we made in the pie irons and then we went to the beach to watch the sunset.  It was pretty cold and windy; a red flag day.  Nate was on campfire duty all week and he did a great job. We had a good spot for the hammock at our site. Most of the time we bring it but there’s no good trees to hang it from.  We also went blueberry picking this year and then after lunch it was time for the beach! After dinner Jameson helped Grandpa make campfire popcorn. 

Tuesday we met up with Addie, Freddie, and Lucas for a hike. Victoria and I did the whole “you guys can play in the sand and put your feet in the water but don’t get wet” thing. It didn’t work.  Wednesday Harper, Willow, and Violet came over for the day. Sarah didn’t need a babysitter, the girls just really wanted to spend the day at our house.  Thursday we spent a lot of time playing outside.  Friday we met Nate after work at the zoo. Masks are (mostly) mandatory for people 8 years old and up but it’s good practice for Evelyn who will have to wear one during school.