• School During COVID-19: Not What We Expected

    11/11/2020 - By 

    I was as disappointed as Isabella that she was starting her first year of high school- Grade 7(!)- during COVID-19. We are cautious over paranoid, so it wasn’t fear that was getting to us. And both my daughter and I were aware the precautions existed for good reason (shoutout to Dr. Tam for keeping us informed!). So it wasn’t that. We were disappointed because the restrictions make it difficult to get to know a new school and new classmates. With face masks it’s hard to see each other’s facial expressions and get to know them, fully. It’s surprising how much…

  • Back To School!

    08/01/2019 - By 

    My kids went back to school today. Oddly, because I’m a weird wannabe shut-in and usually value alone time above all else, I miss them. The missing them part is the odd part. During other school breaks, I’ve treasured the time we’ve had together but looked forward to sending them back. It felt too soon this time. I packed them off to school. It feels strangely quiet. I have all this time to get stuff done now: vacuum the floor without it becoming instantly covered in cracker bits or start work to meet January deadlines. Instead, I just want to…

  • Home for the summer!

    School’s Out For Summer!

    28/06/2018 - By 

    It has been one day since school was officially out for the summer! I have to admit, it’s been nice to have the kids home for the day. No packing lunches or rushing to the bus. Today we are going to take it easy. It is a luxury for the kids to be able to stay in their pajamas during a weekday, so I am going to let them. Both Hunter and Isabella say it feels strange to be home from school. Strangely good, they say, haha! The whole day is open! Maybe we will make popcorn and watch a movie,…

  • School Time!

    31/08/2015 - By 

    My kids go back to school tomorrow. It’s insane how quickly the summer went by, but I guess that is what happens when you are on different road trips for 3/4 of it. I may have been a bit ambitious planning THREE different long distance trips in two months. Between the trips we had just enough time to unpack, do the laundry and pack up again. Something else I made a mistake doing was planning their last trip at the END of August. We don’t have enough time to get them back in to routine for school. Their sleep schedules…

  • My Grade One Reading Corner

    18/10/2014 - By 

    Do you remember learning to read? I don’t really! I remember being three and a half and reading little words to my sister from picture books. My mom confirms this, so I am not crazy. To say it out loud sounds too young, but there I was, reading small words. I am sure that is quite common. I distinctly remember my grade one reading corner. Grade one seemed so daunting to me. A whole day around ‘strangers’. The reading nook was so comfortable and such a safe place for me to hang out. I felt at home there. When you…