Report Card Time!

It's been almost one year since the girls started online learning from home.  The world saw a paradigm shift in the education system during the constrains of pandemic.  Despite many challenges during online learning like lack of face-to-face interactions, lack of socialization and distraction by social media, I am proud to say that Giselle and Isabella are doing their best in school with what they have to work with.  

Currently, Isabella goes to school for in person learning on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Mondays, Wednesday and Thursday she stays home and learns online.  Giselle was following the same schedule, however most recently the school contacted us because Giselle was struggling with learning from home.  Giselle now goes to school 4 days a week for in person learning and stays home on Wednesdays to learn online.  Since the transition, Giselle has been much more focused with school and doing much better academically.

Most days when they are learning online, I find them both randomly in different spots around the house and Lily is always with either Isabella or Giselle.  If only Lily could talk and tell me all the cool things she is learning about!  HA!!  And who need to get dressed when you can learn in your jammies? 

I bet your wondering when I am going to get to the grades part?  Here they are!

Isabella's Current Grades

Physical Education = A+

Reading = B-

Language Arts = B

Science = B-

Math = B+

Social Studies = A

Giselle's Current Grades

Language Arts = B+

Math = C+

Music = B

Physical Education = A-

Reading = B

Science = B+

Social Studies = A-

Spelling = C+

Keep up the great job ladies!!

Giselle online learning in the living room

Isabella online learning in her room

First day Isabella got to go to school

First day Giselle got to go to school

 

Giselle Turns the Double Digits

Giselle celebrated her 10th birthday this month and is no longer in the single digits!  We always let the kids pick out what they want to eat for dinner and she wanted Popeyes chicken.  She had tenders with fries and a sugary drink.  Afterwards, we celebrated with cake!  She still loves being a jokester, eating sugary treats and gymnastics! 

Happy 10th Birthday Giselle

Popeyes Chicken Dinner

Halloween 2020

Despite COVID, we were able to go out trick or treating for Halloween.  Most homeowners put a table at the end of their driveway with buckets of candy.  This year, Isabella was a blow-up Panda (she called him Fat Panda) and Giselle was to be a reindeer, but opted to wear her pajamas so she could stay warm. 

The weather was beautiful and the sun was shining.  Usually it is snowing, raining and unbearably cold.  The girls got LOTS OF CANDY - we are into December and I still have half a box left! Afterwards, we went next door and had chili with the neighbors to warm up.  Here are some pictures from the day:  

Happy 12th Birthday Bella

How did it get to be December already?  I was looking back in the blog and realized I did not post about Bella's 12th birthday!

For her 12th birthday, we rented a house in Galena.  We spent her birthday shopping, hiking and we also took her out to lunch and dinner - all the things she wanted to do.  It's hard to believe that this is her last year before turning into a teenager!  It seems like it was just yesterday that I gave birth to her.  She loves creating crafts - almost everyday she makes me a homemade gift or leaves a heartfelt note around the house for one of us.  She adores her sister Giselle.  Loves playing Roblox.  Loves to sew and work with fondant for cakes and cupcakes.  Despite the challenge with elearning and not being able to go to school, she is staying focused and making good grades as well.

Lastly, it's been one year since we surprised her with her puppy Lily.  Lily is much bigger than she was last year and I think Isabella's heart has grown just as big for her.  It's truly magical to watch Bella and Lily together.  I couldn't be more thankful for such a kind, sweet, compassionate little girl who is turning into a young lady, right before my very eyes.  Happy Birthday Beautiful!!! 

Birthday Pretzel

Hiking with her best friend

TRUE LOVE

2019 - Bella's Birthday Gift - a Goldendoodle

Back To School Surprises

Every year before school starts, I always take the girls for supplies and anything else they may need.  This year, Giselle wanted to get her ears pierced and they both wanted haircuts.  I asked Giselle to write an essay why she wanted her ears pierced and she did!  She was super brave and did not cry!  That teddy bear she was holding must have helped her!!

 I thought that Isabella was just going in for a trim, but when she sat down in the chair, she showed a picture of a little girl with super short hair.  Check out the pictures below.

Isabella AFTER

Isabella BEFORE

She got her ears pierced!

Father's Day

LOOK at these girls!  They dressed up for daddy on Father's Day without being asked to!  Check it out!  Bob enjoyed his Father's Day visiting with his mother and father and loving up on his girls.  Hope you all had a great day as well!

Father's Day 2020

Mothers Day

How did the time go by and I forgot to post about Mother's Day?  Perhaps because it was the first Mother's Day without my mother.  The firsts are always hard - Birthdays, Mother's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas.  The day just didn't seem right not seeing her beautiful smile or giving her a big HUG.  While I feel a void in my heart, they say it gets easier in time, yet you never forget your memories and what is in your heart.
While I spent Mother's Day out of sorts, my little ones made it a special day for me.  They LOVED UP on my all day long with their sweet gestures, notes and SMILES.  I was even surprised by a homemade card, bottle of wine, a plant and chocolate covered strawberries from my beautiful sister in law (who must of known exactly how I was feeling!).  It was raining that day, so we got to do some much needed relaxation and Bob even made homemade pasta noodles for our beef bolognese!  Thank you Isabella and Giselle for all of YOUR LOVE!!

Missing my Soups!!

A surprise from my sister in law!

Bob's homemade pasta or COVID beard?

The beautiful gifts I received

Every Mother's Day, I ALWAYS request a picture with my GIRLS!

I Love the homemade notes!!