A letter for Poppy on her 15th birthday

Dear Poppy,

Today you are 15.

“No I’m not,” you would tell me, if I were saying this instead of writing it. “Not yet. I wasn’t born until 3:30.”

But your birthday’s your birthday, kid, and you can’t argue with me on my internet website. Over here it’s 24 hours of celebrating Poppy. As if there were enough hours in the day to celebrate you.

That’s the kind of person you are, though. You like things to be orderly and predictable and on schedule. I think that’s one of the reasons you did so well in school last year — your freshman year of high school, and your first year in public school. I was really worried about you going into that ginormous school and only knowing one or two people, but you absolutely owned it. Made a bunch of friends and got great grades. I was so proud of you.

You grew up a lot this year. You’ve been taller than me for a while now, sure, but I can also see hints of you growing into a bona fide adult. You’re taking on more responsibilities and taking ownership of the things your dad and I ask you to do and sometimes even doing chores before you’re asked. You’re navigating new friendships and old friendships and job challenges and on top of that a whole global pandemic and all of the changes that have come with that, and you’re doing it all with bravery and grace. This year has been very, very tough, and you’ve been a wonderful partner in our family as we’ve weathered it. I’ve been so proud of you.

You are so strong. And you’re funny. And talented. You’re a great friend and a wonderful daughter, and I am so, so proud of you.

You are 15, and I love you today even more than I did 15 years ago. And that was as much as I ever thought I could’ve loved anyone. Being your mother has been such a joy and privilege, and I can’t wait to continue to watch you grow. Did I mention I’m proud of you?

Love,
Mama

What seventh grade and tenth grade look like at our house

This time last year I was filled up with angst because Poppy was about to go to public school for the first time. She was going into ninth grade after being homeschooled from kindergarten through eighth, and I was worried.

Turns out I had no need for concern. About that, anyway. She did really well in all of her classes, she made friends, and she loved being there.

And then in March everybody was at home again.

Poppy and Pete finished out their school years with remote learning. Poppy did fine with it. Pete had a harder time with it. But the year ended, and then we spent the summer cocooned at home as much as possible, trying not to worry too much about what the fall would bring.

And then suddenly the time for worrying about the fall was upon us. Would school return as usual? (No.) Would we feel safe sending the kids to school in any format? (No.) Should we just homeschool everyone again? (No.)

In our area, school is most definitely not returning as usual. Everyone is going to be doing remote learning to start, and then some grades are going to alternate one week in the classroom with one week online while the high school students are going to be exclusively remote.

So Poppy didn’t have much of a choice about her year, other than Homeschool or Not Homeschool. She opted for Not Homeschool, so she’ll be enrolled in the same school she was in last year. But she’ll doing it all from the dining room table. She’s not particularly pleased about it, but she was happy to find that she has classes with friends. She’s taking:

  • English II (honors)
  • AP World History
  • Math II
  • Biology
  • Spanish
  • Intermediate Theater
  • Digital Design & Animation
  • Intermediate Art
  • As for Pete, we don’t feel safe with the alternating-weeks plan and evidence from the end of last year would suggest that he wouldn’t fare well in an all-remote environment. So we’re going to do a homeschool / remote learning hybrid. Our school district has had a “virtual academy” option for several years, and last year they opened it up to homeschoolers as well. He’s basically dual-enrolled as a homeschooler and a public schooler. Here’s what he’ll be doing:

    Social Studies

    We’re using History Odyssey’s Early Modern curriculum.

    Language Arts

    We’re going to use Spelling Power, English from the Roots Up and a bunch of literature studies. We might incorporate Writing Strands, too. I haven’t decided yet.

    PE

    I don’t have a set curriculum for PE. It’s probably going to look like a daily family walk or exercise-based video game time.

    Virtual Academy

    I am extremely happy to tell you that Pete is going to take math, science, coding and art through the virtual academy. Coding and art are one-semester electives, so he’ll have coding the first semester and art the second.

    I feel pretty good about the plan we’ve made for our household. It’s going to be a strange school year for everyone, and I don’t think any choice is the right one. We’re all being forced to compromise, and I think we’re all making what we believe to be the best decisions for our kids.

    This week in eating

    Monday: Spinach, Sausage and White Bean Soup
    I have a standing meeting on Monday nights, so I designated it Crockpot day. I very frequently forget to attend the meeting, but Crockpot day still stands. I’ve made this soup before, and it is somehow hearty and light at the same time. Today I’m making breadsticks to go with it. It’s an Olive Garden copycat recipe, and the dough is rising right this moment. I’m pretty excited.
    Tuesday: Shrimp Scampi
    Sometimes you just need a vehicle for lots of butter and garlic. This week, shrimp is that vehicle.
    Wednesday: Breakfast burritos
    Scrambled eggs, cheese and breakfast sausage wrapped up in a tortilla. Dinner is served. Or breakfast. Whatever.
    Thursday: White veggie chili
    I can’t believe there was a time when I planned weekly menus without Chrissy Teigen recipes.
    Friday: Food from the outside world
    Last week it was sandwiches. This week? Who knows!

    Hungry for more? Check out the Menu Plan Monday linkup at Org Junkie.