First Few Weeks of School

Really trying to make the best of change. 

We are all still home..working and going to school.  

I will be honest, I kind of like this new normal. 

I certainly don't like why we are in this new normal...but there are certain aspects that have unintentionally been better. 

Like the new "recess".   I make sure we go out just like if she was at school. We have adventures!  

We even went out during a wind storm....she loved it. 

We got our binoculars out and looked for bears...

and found some strange mushrooms. 

It is different, and life will eventually go back to some sort of another new normal but my guess, we might  feel a bit bad.  

Recess wasn't the only fun we had... face masks were on the agenda this past week.

Contractors on the house (again...almost done) brought us some moose meat on a recent catch he had.  

I made Southwestern Chili with it...delicious. I had another moose dish a few years ago and I now can say...it tastes like hamburg. haha. 

One perk for being back in school...cotton candy grapes were out in stores! 

Lastly, my niece's birthday was this month and saw a gift on Etsy that I would make even better....by making it myself!  I asked her via text "what are your 5 top places you have traveled?"  I then searched for maps on the internet, printed and cut them out.  I loved how it turned out!

I, for one, was very disappointed that we couldn't have our annual Halloween get together, but thought having her best buddy over and have everything outside would be ok.  Not quite a "party" but will try to make it EXTRA special. So I will be all ready for the next beautiful weekend in October.  Stay tuned. 

First Day of 5th Grade (Sort of), A Walk to Baldy and a Peregrine Falcon

Definitely a different 1st day of school.  The Anchorage School District gave students three options for their return to school.  Traditional Homeschool that you would have to enroll in, the school district's Homeschool that would not be affiliated with her elementary school she is used to, or regular school that depending on the covid numbers would be full time in school/two days in school or, if numbers are high ... online.  We chose to stay with school and with Anchorage numbers...we are online til at least October ... probably longer.  So far, it is working out.  Not sure what will happen if they say "come on back to school!"  Will keep you posted. 

On a beautiful Saturday we headed out for a hike up Mt. Baldy.  Since this photo was taken (August 16), the temps have dropped and leaves are turning.  Winter is coming to Alaska.  

Lastly, we were visited by not one but two Peregrine Falcons.  One almost lost his/her life when they flew into the window and knocked themselves out.  I told Rob to remove him/her  if he/she was still there this evening.   I checked an hour later and no falcon insight...made me happy!  See if you can find him in the photo above.