Friday, May 15, 2020

Week 9, Day 41 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Last day of 2nd Grade- Olivia and 3rd grade- Isaac

Isaac with mask
Olivia with mask

Congrats to Olivia

Congrats to Isaac
Love these two
He's choking her and their whining lol




Soon to be a 3rd grader


Soon to be a 4th grader


Thursday, May 14, 2020

Week 9, Day 40 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills

Today is day 40. I always think that the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter FLY by.  Right?  Now these last 40 days...not so much. But we finished up assignments on schoology today. We didn't have too much to do. We are officially done online. Of course, because I still run a tight ship, we are not officially done until tomorrow. I have some fun things planned. Hopefully the rain will stay away long enough to take some pictures I have planned.

Today we went for physical activity on the bike path at Heritage Park. I got my run in and the kiddos rode their bikes. We rewarded ourselves for finishing before the storm with Dairy Queen.  (BTW- new cotton candy hard-dip cone 🥰)

Both continued to work on their writing prompt books finishing up what they though of the year and school (minus Cronona). I think they both have one more page to finish up and then I'll take the pictures and make into books.

They both read to me tonight too. I let them pick any book.  I'm going through clothes and books and listing them on Facebook, so they picked from the pile that was out. Both were super easy books for them, but I don't think they cared. I certainly didn't care that they were done so early.

The final thing they did tonight was go over to church for a quick program they had over there. It was only 30 minutes, but they said they enjoyed it.  That's a win!

I'm closing tonight with a text I got from Jeremy.  It's so stinking sweet and I want to document it because otherwise it will get lost in the mix of life.  Since I have high hopes of turning these blogs into little scrapbooks, I want this to be included. I love our little family so much.



Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Week 9, Day 39 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills

Nearly 40 days of this nonsense. I'd say that's a lot of blogging, but a couple of summers ago I did the 88 days of summer everyday, so that qualifies as crazy.

Today is the LAST day that they are suppose to assign any new work to be done. We got notes from both kiddos gym teachers saying that they hadn't turned in anything this entire time. #momfail #teacherfail Yep, we didn't. I didn't know they were suppose to submit anything. I checked it out the first, maybe the second week, and seen that they had posted things but there were no assignments. So I applauded them for not making something a requirement, because believe you me, the Agozzino's would be FORCED to participate in physical activity, so no need to mandate. Well shoot, I spent a good chunk of today today submitting 6 weeks of submissions telling them what we did for gym.  🙄 Dang good thing I keep these blogs.  I even documented this stuff! #momrebound #teacherpivot

We also continued to work on our writing prompt booklets about the school year. Isaac also got special drop-off from Mrs. Kristoff and Ms. Cady, but he wasn't here when they stopped by sadly. He got a trophy for 'nicest' which is just perfect for Isaac. He really does have a heart of gold.

This afternoon Olivia got a jump start on her 4-H project when she planted her pumpkin seeds. I'm praying they grow or I'll have one really sad little cloverbud. We didn't plant them until today because it's Ohio, and we've had to look like hillbilly heaven the last week, covering up our flowers and veggies since it's still frosting at night. UGH.  If the weatherman doesn't lie, we should be done with that for awhile now, so we planted the pumpkin seeds.


Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Week 9, Day 38 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills

Wowzers, today was jammed packed with FUN. Today was field day.  Remember that fun day where you get to play outside all afternoon.  Yep, except ours was filled with a bike ride with maw and paw at Ottawa Metro park.  We loaded up our bikes and went on the bike path.  I had never been very far on the path, so I was probably just as excited as the kids to explore. We loved it. I was originally going to run, and was pretty stoked that I took my bike instead so we could go further. Who knew it went right by the Whippy Dip ice cream stand?  This needs to be included in our schedule.


Now as far as school was concerned, we did get our math and reading done. I took a picture of Isaac in his 'spot' because he loves to sit there with his iPad on the floor and his head up against the couch. So funny.  We also got to bible time today (today's lesson was on Ruth) and the kiddos got to Zoom call with their church class. They did a cool scavenger hunt and we were at maw and paws since we were loading up the bikes, so they were running through her house finding things. At one point Isaac went running by with Paw's toothbrush!

We also had baking class today. Group effort.  Peanut butter blossoms. I don't care if it's a holiday or not, these should be a normal cookie to bake in my book.  Olivia is always the fastest un-wrapper, so we task her with that chore. Isaac, well he says he's the best mixer, but I'm pretty sure he's licking the beaters over there. They turned out great and they'll be gone in 2 days.

The last thing we worked on today was our writing prompt books that Mrs. Gomez sent home with their school supplies.  It's a book that they must have filled out at the end of the school year because it asks questions like who you sat beside and who was your teacher. It's a little book and pretty cute. I've asked the kiddos to take their time, so we're only doing a few pages a day and when we're all done, I might take pictures and upload to snapfish to make little keepsakes for them. It's a pretty unique last 9 weeks, and school year in general, so it might be fun to look back on them later.









Monday, May 11, 2020

Week 9, Day 37 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills

Well the last week has begun.  I can't believe we've done this for an entire quarter! Now that I'm officially done teaching at ONU for the summer, this was my week to shine being a homeschool teacher again.  Then they announced two weeks ago that this would be the last week. LOL. Whelp, guess I'm not getting homeschool teacher of the year award. Shoot.

Today is my official last day of contract. Here in the business college, they decided that meant we should fill today with a Zoom meeting.  We met online from 9-1 and so we didn't even get started until after l and at 4 I was back online.  We didn't get much done except reading and some math.  I told them this was the day we were 'cleaning out their desks' aka closets, so I have a boatload of clothes, shoes and books that I need to list online or take down to Once Upon a Child. 

At the end of the day, I only got two pictures today. One of Olivia's set up in the living room, where she is writing her first book (stay tuned). And one of Isaac reading to Jeremy.  Maybe tomorrow I'll be more on top of the pictures!

Friday, May 8, 2020

Week 8, Day 36 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills



Today was the end of Olivia's birthday week. Does anyone else take the entire week to celebrate? We always have, so this year is no different. Because my parents weren't around last week to celebrate, we decided to have a celebration today after 'school' complete with balloons, cake, and presents.

As I've said the past few days, we are winding down. Isaac and Olivia had spelling and vocabulary tests to take today, but other than that, some math for Isaac. So today was filled with games, painting sun catchers, and gym at East Harbor State park.

For the most the kids played and I graded today.  Last day of the semester for ONU, so I'm busy grading capstone projects and final projects from an IMC class I taught this semester. These are books from groups of their plans of what they did for their projects. Unfortunately they can't be evaluated in just a few minutes. So I told the kiddos to find stuff to do.  Mom had some sun catchers she had put away for a yucky day- since today is 39 degrees and 24 mph winds, today qualifies. We had them sit up at the table to complete. They seemed to enjoy doing them and they'll look great up here on the windows.

Since mom had bought decorations and a cake for Olivia's birthday, we had to find a way to get her out of the house so she could decorate.  I asked Olivia to bike with me while I ran. She agreed, even though it was FREEZING, and off we went.  Three miles later, she begged to return home to heat.  She was so surprised to walk in and see everything. (It's also why she looks like she does!) Happy last day of 8th birthday week Olivia!




Thursday, May 7, 2020

Week 8, Day 35 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills

Happy Thursday!!! Ever wonder what the circus clowns do during quarantine? Well today your questions will be answered. They attend and self-magic/talent show. OMG. I never thought we'd be sitting in 'theater' seating in the lakehouse watching the amazing Olivia practice her magic.  A 45-minute show people. We sat like trapped guest on a bad cruise line entertainment show. I can't tell you how hard we laughed though.  Dad and I got two strikes by management - aka Olivia. As you can see from the pictures, she made flyers and tickets to the show. This was a once in a lifetime show. 

Before the magic show, we had to get all our schoolwork done. Isaac continues to work through all his homework daily.  Olivia's is thinning out.  She only has reading and spelling/vocabulary left through tomorrow.  Math, Science and Social Studies is all done for the week.  So she has time to develop magic shows. 🤣

Isaac and Olivia both got new books for Easter. So "reading to mom" time has been fun because we have some new material to learn. The Trouble with Chickens book is super cute. It makes you lol. Olivia is reading a series of books about women in the Bible.  They're really cute books too. 

Today was super windy as predicted. I put a video below with Olivia out on the deck and me taping her through the window inside. She was cracking me up doing all kinds of crazy things, but I only caught the tail end of her shenanigans.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Week 8, Day 34 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills

Yes, this is a much more productive learning environment for all involved.  Not only can we get our work done, there are very little distractions surrounding us (home chores). I'm getting so much grading done, and have high hopes of finishing all of my grades by Friday evening.  I have big senior capstones that have been sitting for too long and I must take several hours and buckle down myself.

Reading and Math are winding down and while Olivia's seems to be easing up, Isaac's is a busy as ever.  So we worked on reading while Olivia got on her Zoom call with her teacher.  She loved showing her art Lego drawing (which is a cruise ship - donut cruise line!) and we submitted that assignment as well. 

For bible time, we were able to pull open the videos on YouTube up here no problem.  They made slushies and sat up at the bar in the kitchen and watched the story.  Now this is the best of both worlds!

Gym is also so much better up here because there is running trails all around.  The kids like to bike while I run. The only problem is that it can be a bit colder than it is at home with the breeze off the lake, and the wind can be nuts. Tomorrow the wind is suppose to be too bad to go out on the lake.  Isaac really wants a boat ride, but so far, that's not going to happen.  Maybe a trip over to Cedar Point entrance to just see the coasters. My little coaster junkie asks everyday what day Cedar Point will open.  Um, not looking good buddy.

 The final picture was outside while we watched the sunset. Nothing beats being outside on the lake and watching the sun disappear beyond the water. I love these two monkeys. This is a great way to finish up my teaching at ONU with a drink in my hand and the lake in the background. My happy place.


Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Week 8, Day 33 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills


As you can tell from the schedule made for today, my students are BEYOND excited to get school done for today so they can get packed for their remote learning trip. The next few days we will be finishing up school remote for the remote learning. We are immersing ourselves into this experience and can’t wait to social distance ourselves from everyone except the great outdoors. That and Jeremy is defending his thesis this week and could use some quiet time without everyone around.

After yesterday’s announcement, there were plenty of notifications on Schoology today updating us on how we’d be finishing up the school year. We started by doing the regular Reading and Math to get those subjects completed before noon. After lunch both kiddos announced they didn’t have Science work assigned to them.  Perfect opportunity to work on our Garden Jars that the kiddos got for Easter. Olivia has mint and Isaac has cilantro. This was a fun project.  I hope they sprout and it actually works.  They look beautiful, so that is bonus.

We also worked on their puzzle books that a wonderful friend sent for Olivia’s birthday, but was kind enough to include one for her brother too.  They like to race with the maze puzzles to see who can conquer it first.  We did two today and they both one once, so we quit while there was no complaining.

Looking forward to grading from our remote location tomorrow while the kiddos finish up their few projects. Olivia has an Art project that was dropped in today to completed before the end of school.  Nothing will be assigned after next Wednesday, so looking forward to wrapping up all their schoolwork and getting our summer started!




Monday, May 4, 2020

Week 8, Day 32 of the CrononaCrazy Day Drills


Somehow it’s Monday again.  I really don’t know how this is happening. Many have referred to it as the movie Groundhog Day. I’m starting to feel it.  This week is finals week at ONU, so I feel the stress and pressure on an entirely new level this week.  I MUST enter grades. Procrastinating and doing other “fun” things is now longer an option. So I think we will head to the lakehouse mid-week for something different for the kids to look at and entertain them while I buckle down and grade.

So for Olivia’s birthday, her grandparents from Arizona sent her something she’s wanted for a few months. My STEM-loving child has wanted a microscope and slides. So during science time, when I’ve been working with Isaac on other things, she’s been looking through her new microscope at her National Geographic slides. She’s loving these slides.  I would HIGHLY recommend the slides. If anyone has any other suggestions of cool things we should be doing with our microscope and slides, please let me know.  She is absolutely enthralled with this and I want her to keep her love for it.


Isaac continues to work on these ridiculous Math problems.  I’ve put a few pictures of them here so you can join the fun.  The one with the markers is simply me visually trying to show him what we are talking about in the problem. 

The last picture is a screenshot of most recent and uplifting news I’ve ever heard.  Elida school board have THANKFULLY decided to end school two weeks early. Can I get an AMEN?!  I’m so thankful and grateful for this decision. Next week I won’t have ONU and I’ll get to spoil my star students all week at homeschool.  I can’t wait.