Covid Summer Adventure 1

     So today this happened.  😍   

    

     I have been in such a funk lately...I mean, not even excited the school year ended.  I am so used to having an actual "wrap up" for my "job" kids and also for Ben to finish up his year with end of year activities.  I should admit I made him miss his fieldtrip last year too, though, when we went to Florida (no regret there).  With all of his diagnoses, I honestly don't believe he would've handled a field trip unless Matt or I were there with him 1:1.  Not certain that arrangement would've been acceptable to the "powers that be".  This year is different for a number of reasons.  Today was just a simple day at Metroparks farm.  But it was so much more!!!  It was finally experiencing summer and its gifts in all their glory!  We were able to trudge through mud in our rain boots (Ben's favorite), guess the animal from the footprint, observe disk golf, and see the animals graze outside the barn.  We also found the pond on the Mindy Henning Memorial Trail.  It was only about two hours we spent away from home.  Ben actually was surprised we drove there in the car (many places we go these days we walk - especially since the Quarantine.)  I told him we'd be doing a bunch of walking where we were going so we didn't want to tire ourselves out just walking there.

Nature is so theraputic!  Every day I vow to do better.  I try.  Here are some things I've done better with which I'm very proud during this last month of Covid 19 Season:  I engaged in many social media debates and didn't get unfriended or called mean (that I know of - well, I think one guy said I was insulting, but the other guy didn't catch it so I'm not sure that counts), I spent more time outside and had my garden planted before June, I checked out of school in record time (not that I had a choice there), I told more people I love them, I read scripture and devoted, I've gone on walks, I've engaged in many hours of non-required professional development (how could I not during quarantine!?), and I tried really hard to put Ben's needs first and not let him regress during school shut down.  That last one was a pretty Epic Fail.  We are having him re-evaluated to see where he lands in a current diagnosis and possibly qualify for in home behavior coaching over the summer.  I think the coaching will be more for Matt & me than for Ben.  We know what he needs that we're not able to fully do for him to help him maintain & grow.  We know what we are doing well (all of the afore mentioned) and we know what we need to keep doing.  Thankfully with school out for both of us, I can absolutely devote most of my attention exclusively to him and his needs.  I am still learning professionally so I can reshape my instructional strategies for whatever school may look like next year when I do go back to full time work, working within the confines of what I know won't change: curriculum, technology, learning platforms, assessments, learning activities and providing student feedback.  Working within those boundaries I can actually plan a whole lot.  I also joined a PLC with other teachers in my district on a Facebook group.  I am actually pretty happy with where things are.  I had a ton going on in my life during the pandemic, quarantine and shut down of schools, so the time at home was actually a greatly needed blessing.  It saved me in many ways.  It made life harder though for many of us as well.  We adjust.  We adapt.  We're human, that's what we do.  As for my little summer Buddy, the fun is only beginning!  I can't wait for all of our adventures to continue!