Life Lately

Hello! Shew! Yesterday felt like quite a Monday. We were up really late on Sunday watching the Chiefs game which meant the 6am alarm was rough, I was really busy at school, and then it seems that Mondays are always our busiest evening with activities for the kids.

Today, I’m sharing a little bit of…

Last week, we only had school (in person) one day! Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday were NTI (non-traditional instruction) days for our students.

I had a few questions about how our NTI works, so I thought I’d share a few details. On these at home learning days:

• Instruction is asynchronous.
• Assignments are posted on Canvas.
• No new material is to be presented.
• The district assigned office hour times for teachers at the various levels: 8:30-10:30 elementary, 10:30-12:30 middle school, 12:30-2:30 high school. Teachers are always available via email, but they are on Zoom during those assigned times to answer any questions.
• Students have three days to complete their work after each NTI day. (That way, if a student doesn’t understand the assignment, doesn’t have internet access, is sick, etc., they still have time to complete the work without penalty.)
• Attendance is marked by participation of turning in assignments.

After having three of these days under our belt, I’ve been pleased with the amount of work my own kids have received. Also, I’m able to work on school things and then Zoom with my regular students in the afternoon.

My former district was more rural, and they have used weather NTI days for years. When I was still teaching there, this was the same format we used except there was no Zoom, but that was pre-Covid! Also, we often gave paper packets for students who needed them.

Anyway, I don’t know if my current district will continue with NTI for weather in the future, but I hope so…or at least a compromise that after the third/fourth snow day, we do NTI or something like that. I know some parents aren’t fond of the NTI model especially after being virtual for a year, but I also don’t think it’s necessary for us to be in school past Memorial Day because we have so many days to make up. No one is happy to be in a school building after May 31 😉

Moving on…

One snow day perk was that we met Travis for an early lunch on Friday. We tried a new taco place in town.

Friday afternoon, I went to Kendra Scott to use my 50% off for my birthday. I love my new earrings.

Friday evening, we went out for pizza for dinner. Then, Hadley went to an overnight, and Travis and I took Hayden and a couple of friends to my school’s basketball game. We had a great time.

On Saturday, Hayden had an early basketball game which went down to the wire.

Saturday evening, Hayden went to a friend’s birthday. It was bowling and an overnight which meant we got one on one time with Hadley. After dinner at home, we went to Cattywampus Station, and Hadley chose the cookies and cream milkshake.

When we got home, Travis and I watched the first episode of Ozark. I can’t wait to keep watching!

On Sunday, we went to church, and then caught Wyatt’s makeup basketball game. I feel like it was just yesterday that Hayden was that little and playing basketball.

After the game, I picked up my Kroger order, made chili, and watched the Bucs/Rams game. Then, per play off tradition, we went to my brother’s house to watch the Chiefs/Bills game. We all went from sad to happy in 13 seconds. What an amazing game. Of course, that meant that we were up too late for a Sunday night, but it was worth it!

After the game, my mom called. She asked Hayden if he was alright, and he said, “No!” 😂 He had told me during the game that he thought he was having an anxiety attack.

A few other things…

It’s no secret that Homer rules the roost. On Saturday night, I headed to bed and found him in my spot:

Last week, I made these Peanut Butter Protein Balls, and the whole family loved them.

Lastly, it’s competition season, and it was Hadley’s turn to be in the spotlight:

So, that’s what has been going on with us lately. We’ve been busy per usual, but it’s been nice to have the snow days mixed in as well.

See you back here Thursday for Monthly Musings and Friday where I’m sharing a few favorite things I bought with my birthday money.