email

 I received this email a few days back.  It was from a student who is remote learning and I was checking in to make sure everything was working ok.  It probably made me happier than it should have.

"Hi, I think this class is going very well. It is definitely the best class I’ve had as a remote learner in terms of how it’s structured. I really appreciate you reaching out because most professors do not. I also wanted to say that I enjoy how the class is engaging for the student rather than the student just listening to a lecture. I’ve never enjoyed going to class before until now. For some reason this is the only class I’ve ever had that I’m excited about and that’s the honest truth (And I’m not just saying that either). I can’t wait to see what else we learn because I’m going to be using excel a lot in my future job. Thank you for everything so far. "

Flurry

 Yes, it's been two years since Flurry died, but we took these videos right before she was put down.  It's been on my to-do list to post them for a while, and I'm finally getting around to it.  (And possibly ignoring other stuff I should be doing.)

Wednesday: well child

Isaac had his well-child visit today.  It went well, as expected.  He's in the 13% for weight and 54% for height, which puts him in the 2% for weight/height ratio.  I guess running around the house tackling his brother has paid off.

Tuesday: tired

 I got home from work and was tired.  It's been a long few days.  It's been snowing a lot though, so that's been pretty.

Sunday: outside

So I've seen those fun frozen water globes around and thought it would be a fun thing to make.  Yeah.  Not sure who wrote the instructions.  "1. Fill up a water balloon with water."  Ok, I don't know about you but that involves a hose and getting everything wet.  I'm not going to do that in the winter.  We made one really small one in a normal balloon, but again, meh.

Then I remembered I had some silicon tops.  So instead of colored ice balls, Joshua helped me make colored ice cylinders.  They've been waiting outside for a week for us to get snow so they'd stay upright.  And now Joshua has something fun to see during school.  I guess he can see the birds too!  They don't like that feeder as much though.

Tuesday: explosion

My email exploded today.  I dealt with a bunch in the morning, and then while I was teaching a bunch more came in.  I dealt with the important ones when I got home (and sent some additional ones).  A hour later there were a bunch more.  It's been a while since it's been this bad.  I'm hoping it's mostly 'beginning of the semester' details.  There seem to be more details to deal with this semester than normal, and I'm not really sure why.

Isaac and Joshua went to the sledding hill with the babysitter today.  Isaac's been before and was really looking forward to it, while Joshua was nervous.  I think Joshua overheard me talking to Carly a bit because apparently they got to the hill and Joshua went down the big one right away by himself.  It's as though he wanted to show me that he was completely capable.  (Although after that it sounded like he usually went down with someone.)  They enjoyed it, but walking up the hill was a lot of work.

Monday: snow

This morning I was finishing up the driveway and heard a rumbling noise.  I was hoping it was the snow plow, because the timing would be good.  It was!  It turned the opposite way from our house first, but came back around.  Yes!

I shoveled until the spot where I estimated the snow from the plow would be thrown, because there's no reason to shovel it twice.  I waited about thirty seconds.  The plow came back around, almost exactly to where I estimated.  Score!  Both in location and in timing!  I was oddly ecstatic.

Joshua made this Lego creation today, entitled, "A memory of yesterday."  He makes cool things, but this is one of my favorites.  Ben is the person on the hill, with a sled in front of him to push down.  The tree is the obstacle that the boys apparently couldn't avoid yesterday.  There's also a green sled, since the boys were using two different ones.