Weekly Wrap UP 6/26/20 -- keeping busy with craft and my birthday

It was my birthday about two weeks ago and I got a very pleasant surprise!

I have been shopping for an elderly woman in the community ever since lock down and she delivered a cake and flowers for my birthday.  So sweet 

The kids had baked me a cake so I got two cakes for my birthday!!!

For my birthday I asked my husband to help me lay down edging along the front garden.  My husband hates doing yard work of any kind so this was very impressive that he followed though although he would have much preferred to have paid someone else to do it! 

 We are still not sure if Firedrake is heading off to college this fall, however she had wanted to get a fish to take with her.  After buying the fish bowl she researched and discover fish bowls are really not that great of an option for the fish so we decided to turn it into a succulent terrarium.  She can place this on her window sill at the college and care for it.  

She added a few shells and fossil stones we have laying around the house.

Currently it is in the window in the kitchen and we are hoping we can keep it alive and get it to college with her come this fall

With my Mom visiting we have been working on a few glass projects she wanted to get done.

It has been so nice here we brought up all the supplies and work on the deck.  I might do this more often as it has been very nice

First project completed.  Lawn ornament.  She had a wrought iron bird and we just added so glass to it to really make it pop out. 

We are also working on a glass spinner and a new to me project 3 feathers made of glass on a stick.  I found the patterns free on line and an old piece of wood which we polyurethane we plan to hang the feathers from it.  Should look nice in her yard.

My Mom has also been helping me get my yard back in shape.  I am not much for gardening whereas that is my Mother's passion.  She is always looking at improving my yard, giving me advice and helping me in the yard.  I get as much done while she is here and then once she leaves I forget to finish, hence the reason my yard is never as nice as the neighbors:(.

Weekly Wrap Up 6/19/20-- Virtual Camp and Protest March

 MarioFan participated in a virtual camp this past week.  All summer camps in our areas have been cancelled so they are trying to do things online.  This camp was to visit various jobs in the area and see what kind of education and experience is needed to be a candidate for employment.  Since MarioFan tends to gear more towards STEM so the companies he saw for this week included:

They delivered a backpack filled with all the things they would be using during the week.  Some jobs had activities the kids would be doing while exploring and learning about the job site.  In addition some jobs sent swag for the kids to have from the jobs. 

Seeing all the camp participates online and having a discussion

The last job site they visited was Riot games a local video game developer.  So they worked on writing a script and playing a game.

MarioFan had fun so I decided to sign him up for the next job week in July which is also online and they have lined up all new job sites for the participates to explore.  This camp also kept the parents informed and had several zoom meetings that parents could attend to understand what the kids were learning.  I was quite impressed!

It was been a wild year and the events of the past few weeks have come to our area.  We had some mild rioting but most of the protests were peaceful.  My daughter, Firedrake, very much wanted to participate in the protests.  However due to the virus we wouldn't allow her to go to the larger marches held in the city.  

Last week we heard that a local group of teenagers with the school district's support was trying to organize a local protest.  Since our town is small I agree to take my daughter so long as she follow the social distancing rules and wore a mask the entire time.  

My daughter painting up her signs the night before

She wasn't sure which one she wanted to use so she did two!

My sign

 There was a lot of backlash on the local community page and I was a little worried that there might be some counter protests.  I was very impressed with how the students handled the adults who were absolutely rude to them and their cause. 

The teenagers had planned the route with our local police and the town Mayor. 

This young lady will be a leader one day.  So impressed with her speech and how she conducted herself against the horrendous backlash she had on the local community page.

The town Mayor gave a speech and i was so impressed with how many people turned out to walk.  I honestly didn't think it would be many.  My daughter and I are happy to see their are more people in the community who support the cause than raged against it.

This speaker is raising a biracial son and she is reading his facebook post on what it was like growing up in this community.  I am so sad to hear he has had to deal with racism in my community. 

We walked approx 1.5 miles with some police officers joining us in addition to blocking off roads for us to walk.  It was quite stiffling to walk with a mask on as the temperature was in the high 90's

Someone was able to capture an overhead picture of the protesters walking.

After the walk we kneeled for 9 minutes and then peacefully dispersed.

there was no organized counter protest but we did see a few people walking with blue lives matter flags and while most of the cars who passed us honked in support, there was one that yelled obscenities at the protesters. 

I am very proud of my town, considering we live in a very RED district.  to see this many people come out was very surprising.  My sister is a police officer and I don't lump all police into one group.  I do believe change needs to happen so black men and women are no longer being targeted by police.  

I am also very proud of my daughter for being so socially active in her causes.  She will help change the world one day!

Weekly Wrap Up 6/12/20-- High School Graduation

It is official we have a home school graduate in our family!!!  Her graduation ceremony was a bit unconventional but at least she had one. We are still waiting to hear if her college is going to open up in August.  Everything is in a wait and see what happens stage.  To be honest I wouldn't be too upset if she doesn't go until Jan 2021.  She can always do online classes and then I know she will be safe.  Never in a million years did I ever think I would have this to worry about.

Several Schools in our area were able to use an outdoor arena to host their graduations.

After check in we waited in an area which encouraged social distancing.

Outside for the audience they ran a slide show of the graduates

This was the only time I was not happy about the social distancing but at least we had our masks on.  Lining up to head outside.

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Parent sitting encouraged social distancing

The graduates also had seating that encouraged social distance

It was a scorching hot day -  you can see the audience in the back ground they could either be in their air conditioning cars or stand beside their cars.

They had an amazing key note speaker who delivered an awesome address which is very relevant to the time of graduation.

Graduates throwing their caps

Because it was so hot we headed straight to the car to cool down

Went out to lunch for the first time at a restaurant which was practically empty

Later that night we had a Chocolate Fondue to celebrate our Graduate.

I am so glad my Mom was able to be there.  Only wish my Dad was here to see it but i am sure he was there in spirit.  I only have one to school at home and in two years he too will be graduating and I will have to figure out something new to do with my days, hmmm:)

Weekly Wrap Up 6/5/20 Happy 16th Birthday!

 This week Mario Fan turned 16!  Wow time flies.  He is growing up so fast and we see changes every day!  We are so very proud of him and love him so much.  Since we are in a very weird year we were not able to do our usual birthday celebrations that he likes, dinner out and going to six flags amusement park.  But we did a small celebration at home.

He got a few gifts

some money he plans to spend on video games

We had planned to go to the Melting pot for his 16th birthday but instead had to settle for a homemade Fondue party. 

My Mom was able to come out and join us for a few weeks.

then we finished off with a Red velvet cake which is his favorite.

He is very loved and we had a very pleasant at home celebration, but MarioFan is wanting to go to the Melting Pot as soon as he can!