August and September have been intense! So many changes!
First, Michael has been a contractor at his job since like last October I think? He was going through the process to be hired as a full time employee when he got another job offer that was more of what he was looking for. It turned out to be a great opportunity and he took that job. His first week was towards the end of August! We are very relieved and excited for FTE job–with vacation and holiday pay! Contract workers are really screwed over by the system.
Second, my work was planning on a full re-opening right after Labor Day. With the Delta variant and a lot of businesses pushing back their reopening dates, I was skeptical it would happen. I was right, they decided to do a “soft” opening and have 20% of staff in the office in September and then I guess October will be the real reopening? We will see! Time will tell. I will still be doing a hybrid schedule, working from home most of the time, whenever the reopening happens. Thankfully! With Delta and being pregnant I am definitely more cautious and worried right now.
Lastly, Logan started KINDERGARTEN!!!!!! He has been SO excited all summer. I printed a summer calendar for him and he has been crossing off the days to the first day of school. Even though I am nervous about covid and schools, I was so excited for him to start, too!
Thankfully, Oregon has mandated that all teachers/staff/volunteers at K-12 are required to wear masks and get vaccinated. I am so grateful for that. Every little bit helps mitigate risk. Kids required to wear masks, too. I am trying to keep my anxiety at a low roar.
He had THE BEST DAY! He loved it and was so excited. And when we picked him up he was absolutely exhausted!
He’s now been to school about 4 days and he LOVES it. He loves his teacher, he’s great at taking the bus to school. The first time he got on the school bus emotional for us, but he was just fine. 😉
So many changes!
Vickie
Wow! All Good Things, but you are right, a lot of changes.
If you are still doing traditional picture/storybooks, I would suggest adding a chapter a night of chapter books. Parents often wait too late to start this. It increases their comprehension and vocabulary a lot (for reading). The Borrowers, The Littles, Pippi Long Stocking, Amelia Bedelia, Little House on the Prairie, The Boxcar Children.
(I will find the name of the math series I used each summer. It was very fun and helped keep their minds going all summer so back to school in the fall was easier.)
(If he is not reading yet, using signs as you run errands is really helpful. Stop, gas, pizza, etc reappear constantly.)
Lisa Eirene
Logan is reading a bit. I’m not sure if he’s ready for a book with pictures. I haven’t thought about it yet!
Vickie
https://www.summerskills.com/product-category/math/
Some of those chapter books are easier read aloud-s than others. You may be surprised. My kids all noticed a huge difference thru the years with their vocabulary/reading comprehension than their peers. They are also all huge readers and love the classics. My mom read me Heidi when I was kindergarten age and I still remember.
Lisa Eirene
Thanks! I’ll take a look
Vickie
I can’t remember how I found this, it is possible you wrote about it. But just in case – Pop Culture NPR podcast. They talk about Tv, movie, books, music and games. It is short, upbeat, lots of good ideas. I have bought two (electronic) games for my 23 year old as gifts. I have found lots of things to watch. It is a positive way to know what is going on/new. Sometimes they do throw backs too.