Just for a reminder, here's a link to the start of Remote learning in the fall.
And here's a link to the start of Hybrid learning in the fall.
Mimi is our only child not changing schools next year.
May 2021
I have a few pictures of Parker and I'll post them soon...
On his way across the country, my brother stopped to see us. We made sure that when he hit the road he had some Buckeyes and Fry Pies.
Here's our Dickersons-by-the-car photo!
It was lovely and quiet, and as you can see, we had some yummy cake. A friend stopped by with some goodies, a got kind cards, phone calls and texts from family and friends. My kiddos played in the year-end orchestra concert and gave me a couple Jane Austen books. My sisters gave me a new counter cross stitch pattern, Star Wars plates, and the hilarious shirt below. My parents always come through with some birthday spending money and I'm thinking about getting a quilt frame.
And of course, Greg made the day awesome with food I didn't have to make or clean up after, an awesome new lamp, more chocolate, and made the day run smoothly.
Parker is a senior, Mimi is a freshman and they are both in theater. For theater they get t-shirts and this day they were eating breakfast, totally unaware that they were both wearing the same theater shirt!
We're benefiting from my generous family's various streaming services during covid. I'm hoping we can watch many family sitcoms to see what fictionalized families outside of our house looks like. On the list: The Middle (HBOMax), The Goldberg's (Hulu), Everybody Hates Chris (Peacock- that one's actually free and I recommend it), we may even try the Simpsons (Disney+).
But right now we're diving deep into the Brady Bunch (Hulu). Thanks to my family!
Yoda and Mimi laugh at all the silliness, and don't take it too seriously.
Parker, "let me guess, there's a miscommunication and funny stuff happens..." or "and then there will be some wacky-sitcom-antics."
Anyway, that's why Yoda is in his robe, so he can fit in with the Brady's!
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In one episode, a car drives up and the vent window is tilted... kinda like this...
Yoda was stunned, "that window... it's... popped out!?"
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In one episode Jan says their house telephone number and it was exactly 1 digit off from our families while growing up. My siblings all confirmed!
We were very excited to see Greg's family! They treated us to lots of fun, sight seeing and some amazing food! Greg's brother got us both Nashville Hot Chicken AND fantastic BBQ!
On our way to visit Greg's brother and family in Nashville, we stopped at Abraham Lincoln's birthplace. You may remember the mistake we made a five years ago and missed it by an hour. The time zone change tripped us up.
There's Yoda on the steps.
The spring that made this location popular and valuable.
Also, 5 years ago when driving to Alabama we noticed the National Corvette Museum and thought it would be a great place to visit on our way back. Again we made a mistake and drove back on Easter Sunday, one of only 5 days this museum is closed in a year. It was totally worth the trip 5 years later.
Yoda wanted to find the car from when he was born.
2021
2014
Who knows where Parker will be next year, and he is a little old for an Easter Egg hunt. But he played along and we did a little photo recreation...
All the answers are the same.
1) Some time in 2014.
Me, "We should finally plan that trip to Europe. You know the one we've wanted since we were first married and thought we would have done already."
Greg, "Yes, totally, how about the summer after Parker's senior year."
Me, "Right, that gives us plenty of time to save up and plan. That would be... the summer of 2020. Ok, that's our goal."
We didn't go on that trip because __________.
2) When Parker was about to turn 16 and get his license.
Me, "We should get a 3rd car. Parker will need to get himself to work and play practice."
Me, after looking into how much it will cost to buy a new car, insure him and a third car, "maybe we shouldn't get a 3rd car, we should save our money. Greg, you've been working from home, we'll get by with 2 cars for now."
Greg, "agreed".
We causally looked anyway and found a good deal on a car that had low miles, good gas mileage, etc. We decided to go for it.
A few months later, all 3 cars sit in our driveway for months because __________.
3) Spring time of Parker's sophomore year.
Greg, "We should take Parker on some college tours, maybe in the fall and spring next school year."
We did almost no college tours because __________.
4) Some time in 2019.
Me, "We've never gone to General Conference with the kids, how about next Spring when we go on some college tours with Parker?"
We didn't do this because __________.
5)In January of 2020.
Me, "I'm going to do a food cleanse, I've done it before, I always feels better when I do, I will start the first day of Spring!"
I didn't do this because __________.
6) Summer of 2019.
Me, "I know we're planning our trip to Europe next summer, but we should maybe do another trip too! Somewhere we've never been... Maine? Michigan? It's so silly we've lived so close to both and never been. Let's make 2020 the year we finally do at least one!"
We didn't go to either because __________.
7) Summer of 2019.
As a family we went to Cedar Point for the first time. We planned out our trip and did everything in one day (going on a weekday makes it very doable). We were exhausted but decided we HAD to go again in 2020 because it was so much fun.
We didn't go because __________.
8) Things we're thankful for even though there was a __________
We've stayed healthy this year.
The kiddos have kept a positive attitude and learned a lot even through school has been; remote, maybe it was going to be hybrid, then for sure remote, then hybrid, then remote, then hybrid, now all-in. They are troopers! (I'm also glad our school has been cautious.)
We've had lots of game nights, watched movies we've never had a chance to see, and listened to so many audio books!
Together or individually, we've had lots of walks, hikes, and playing outside in masks with friends.
At times I have thought our house it just a little too big, I can't really keep it clean. But we're glad we've had lots of space to spread out for video calls, school work, work-work and places for me to be out of their way!
Here's hoping that 2021 will quickly be better!
I got a new phone after years of putting it off.
Yoda is very into phones specs.
Yoda, "how do you like having 5 cameras on your phone?"
Me, "uh, I see 4 on the back, that seems like a lot."
Yoda, flipped over the phone and showed me the shelfie camera, "5 cameras..."
