3 Arctic Academy Days
3 snow days
1 regularly scheduled day off (MLK Day)
1 regularly scheduled 2 hour early dismissal
2 2-hour delays
We introduced Arctic Academy Days to our cold day options. Kids in 3rd - 12th grades have Chrome books. Using google classroom, they download work at school and can complete the work on days that are deemed Arctic Academy. Teachers report to school for trainings, work and to answer questions students have. Students stay home and work. It's considered a school day that we don't have to make up. Sophie's work was decent. Ted's was a LOT. I felt like a substitute homeschooling parent. It was a lot of work for the kids and a lot of work for me who didn't necessarily know what was going on. I think the general consensus for middle and high school students is that they would much rather be in school.
Lots of technology. Lots of work.
Thankfully Ben got in on Arctic Academy help when we knew the night before and could bust out some work.
One Arctic Academy Day I took the kids over to the YL office to play in the gym. I had a video conference call. It was 50 degrees so I was in my winter coat and a toboggan. And then the kids came down to run around and play with Winnie and made her howl. Thank the Lord for the mute button!
We
had new staff interviews one day in Summersville. It ended up being a
snow day for us, so I took Sophie with us and she hung out at the Bergs. Susie can accommodate a
gazillion people. She also had some extra kids for other things, so Ted opted to stay home with friends.
On this one particular snow day, all but two counties were cancelled. The ironic thing was that those two were sent home early!
Sophie got a haircut and Mr. David crimped her hair! I LOVED it. It stayed for a few days and was a nice change from her normal stringy hair. I bought a cheap crimper to try, but it just wasn't the same. I might start saving up.
Sophie started sewing lessons. She's LOVING it. We've got some fun projects ready on pintrist. She's catching on fast and not afraid to make a mistake.
Her teacher's thread collection.
One snow day we had a game day with the Kozels. It was Joanna and I against these two in Codenames. NEVER AGAIN.
Filling the pellet stove group effort.
We said good-bye to Arch, Delaney & Kinsey. These two have been such a fun part of our family in different ways over the years. We will miss them so much.
The temperature did a couple of major swings. There were several days it was below zero and 60 degrees in the same week.
We had a fun Sunday celebrating my birthday that included watching the Steeler's loose. Oh well. There's always next year.
Joanna, Tiffany & I took these fools to Black Water Falls State Park to their sled run. SUPER FUN! We had a great day after an initial rough run. Worth the drive and the money! It's the longest sled run on the east coast.
The magic carpet ride up the hill was nice and relaxing.
And Joanna even brought cupcakes to celebrate our birthdays!
We got to meet sweet Evelyn Mae finally!! BA & Nick brought her to the YL office on their way through town one day. You can't tell but she's got red hair under there!
For some reason Ted was there too. He's not as tall as BA!
The last weekend of January we had our annual Committee Leader Weekend. This year, we did it at Rockbridge and it was amazing! It was such a great weekend. Our staff and leaders and committee are so fun and great. I'm so proud and honored to serve beside them.
Kids singing at club one day. It really is so neat for my kids to love others around the state who live similar lives to them. They love spending together. Ben and I were both in work mode and they were on their own. They sucked every minute out of everything.
Joe & Ted on the screamer swing.
Luke, Ted & Will
Sophie spent a lot of time on the climbing wall and conquered quite a bit. Her muscles hurt until Tuesday.
Emma, Sophie, David, Ted & Mary 💕
A little time in the conference room on the way out!
Sunset in Morgantown near our house
These two get to play sometimes while the boys do basketball practice.
- A trip to Tudor Farms for a Wild Ridge ECC Meeting. That was fun and interesting and fun to be able to travel a little. I have several trips this spring and I'm excited about them.
- It's been COLD. Ben got me and electric blanket for Christmas. It has not left our couch. We all snuggle up under it at all times of the day!
- WVU men's basketball was #2 for a hot minute. And then, as in all WVU sports, they've been breaking our hearts.
- Everyone is staying healthy so far. This flu season is BAD.
