November Virtual School at Nana and Pop's

November Nana-School started off with a party. 

There were trees to climb, games to play, and a 'queen' to walk!

The good times rolled!

Bryce left and things quieted down, but only a little. Shane and the cousins played every day like their days were numbered!

Nana and Pop were on it when it came to Shane's school work. I texted them pictures of whatever the bus dropped off and they'd help him attend AND pay attention in his classes.

And they'd quiz him outside of class, too! There was a clear reward structure based on performance. That's the sort of thing I'd want to do with unlimited time and energy. 

Structure is good for kids. You don't want to overdo it, but I knew Nana and Pop wouldn't. There were tons of time to hit up playgrounds and have fun!

 

And hopefully Shane's positive energy and novelty made things more fun for everyone!

Schools are back to in-person in SC. Class sizes are small and the wee ones are the least likely to catch anything. Hopefully, they just took the masks off for a quick picture here. Evelyn and Cole are not the most extroverted, so they're not going to spend much time inside other kids' orbits.

We'll keep Shane at home for a week once he gets home. I'm not terribly concerned based on my family's precautions, but it doesn't hurt to be considerate (just not paranoid!).

In the meantime, I'm thrilled Shane gets the chance to be around his cousins. He plays with all of them.

I laughed out loud when I read the story. I showed Carrie and Shane the texts, too. He was home by then! It shows his visit had a lasting effect.

But that's getting ahead of things. One of the other perks of Shane visiting Nana and Pop is he gets exposed to new things. We have our own routines here and Carrie largely controls the TV. What she watches is different from Nana and Pop. I remember watching Nick at Nite shows and other things like Murder She Wrote at Jama's house from my own childhood. That knowledge has made me able to make references and jokes with older colleagues to connect with them.

I mentioned Shane got to see some Highway to Heaven to some of the barn people and Barbara said she loved Michael Landon! Variety is a spice of life. I'm convinced God wouldn't have made such a diverse world if he didn't want us to experience diverse things.

We kept in contact with Shane over the phone. I think he started to miss us more (or Nana wanted us to keep him busy some) the second week, because we got more calls then.

In addition to calls and texts, Nana wrote emails. 

Some were funny.

Shane has been enjoying taking baths, but after the typhoon in the bathtub last night, he will have to take a shower next time. We'll let him take a bath again in a few days after the memory of the flooding lessons. No one enjoys water play and simulating hurricanes more than Shane. 

Some were cute.

Shane asked me today what I would do with it if I won a million dollars.  I said that I would probably donate some and save some of it, but wouldn't change my lifestyle. He said he would pay for a 2nd week's rent for the beach house and for a cruise for all the family so he could have more good times with his cousins. He sure loves family. 

Some were future blackmail material.

Yesterday, I asked Shane to explain why his poop coats the front of the toilet bowl where there is no water. I asked him if he sat on the toilet backwards. He said, no, that that would be ridiculous. He also explained that he sits only halfway back on the toilet seat so that toilet water will not splash on him when his poop drops. He likes his poop to land in very shallow water so there is no splash. Since he has a voracious appetite and loves fruit, I have been cleaning the toilet more often than desirable. Once I made him clean up after his "art work" in the bowl. I have suggested that he put 2 squares of toilet paper on the front of the bowl where his "art work" is landing frequently or put 2 squares of toilet paper in the middle of the bowl to prevent the splash as he sits further back. Honestly, I have not had a problem with splash-back myself, but I can empathize that it doesn't sound pleasant. 

And others exemplified he's my son.

Pop picked up donuts this morning and is bribing Shane to work harder with one. It takes a lot of encouragement and hands-on supervision to keep him working on his assignments. Shane says he's tired when it comes to school work, but has boundless energy otherwise. Pop is very determined though and persists in getting Shane to work. Shane reminds me so much of our sons growing up. The twins worked too hard and you boys excelled at relaxation. I told Shane that his standard for work will determine what kind of house, car and lifestyle he will have as an adult. I think he is tired of me nagging him to work harder. Expect complaints when he gets home. hahah

Oh boy! Nana's a better writer than she admits. I can hear her telling the stories in her own voice when I read them.

There was one paragraph from an email that came to mind when we were discussing when we'd meet up for the hand-off.

Pop keeps trying to get Shane to do the See-Saw assignments, but Shane says he can do them next week, that there is no big rush. Good thing Pop is bigger and wil make him do some of those assignments. 

Natural consequences can lead to intrinsic motivation! And they did here!

I'm looking forward to seeing Shane again, but I'm also looking forward to the next time he gets to spend time in SC. Maybe we can make a whole family trip if we get a barn sitter. I've been ready for it, and Carrie brought it up!

Our Paths Diverge - Shane's Tale

Shane had the most fun weekend out of the three of us. He got to go to SC and play to his heart's content!

Bruce, Reyna, and Bryce were staying at Nana and Pop's. They'd driven down for a short vacation and even offered to pick up Shane on the way. 

Bruce and Reyna are long time family friends through church. If anything were to happen to them, Nana and Pop have already said they would adopt Bryce (which would make Bryce Shane's uncle and my brother in a weird twist of events!). 

Shane and Bryce have known each other from a long time ago. They've bounced on the trampoline together at Nana and Pop's old NoVA house and even attended the same daycare while Carrie, Shane, and I were moving to Charlottesville. 

It's been a while since they've seen each other, but Nana said they hit if off again right away.

She said that all three boys played supremely well together. There was no pairing up and excluding anyone. It was a happy company. She enlisted them as "the queen's guards" when she took Indy on her walks (with Indy being the queen). Shane dubbed them the "three musketeers" instead and they all ran along too far ahead to do much guarding!

The timing really worked out well in that Kathleen and Stu rented a moon bounce to celebrate Evelyn's birthday. Evelyn didn't want a party. That was convenient in COVID times and the pandemic had driven down demand/prices for moon bounces, so Kathleen had been able to get a big one for the whole weekend at a good price! Shane and Bryce became the party goers and it was a fun weekend of climbing, bouncing, running, and playing the disaster survival game as a team on Roblox that Shane loves.

The boys had the time of their lives.

Nana said that Bryce begged to stay an extra night. Reyna said he cried when it was time to leave, too! 

I couldn't be happier that Shane got the opportunity to be with everyone. By being at Nana and Pop's he gets exactly what he needs and what I can't provide here right now. It's good for him and good for them, too. Shane brings a lot of positive energy and he plays really well with all of his cousins. I'm a proud dad. 

It's good for Carrie and me, too, as we've got plenty on our own plates. We're hoping everyone loves the time Shane is in SC and praying everyone stays healthy!

Board Game Day Weekend Trip Round 2

Shane was up before 7 AM again. We shared a bed, so I noticed quickly. He kept squirming around and kicking me.

In case you're wondering, this is what it looks like when he plays Pokemon Go.

Jama, Ed, Nana, Pop, Shane, and I went as a unit to Christ Church. We met Bruce, Reina, and Bryce there!

Brycae and Shane were in the same Sunday School class and revitalized their friendship.

It's hard to believe it's been two years since we went to Christ Church with them. It's also funny to note that it was my second time to hear a sermon with a Lion King theme. Carrie watched online and immediately caught a misquote! I found her message after the service and laughed.

We hung out for a little bit greeting old friends. I still recognize a lot of people.

Jama asked to be in a picture where she got a head's up to smile before we left.

Shane spilled a cup of dirt on the couch where we congregated. He's 0 for 2 with cups so far this trip. I had him sweep up his mess and dump the dirt outside.

Bryce and Shane ran together to the cars when we left. They checked out a storm drain while the adults caught up.

Then we all went to Dairy Queen for a Sunday lunch.

John met up with us! I love spending time with family and friends! I wish the whole crew/family would have been able to gather, but that's a time passed.

Shane wanted to try an Oreo Blizzard of his own today.

Spill #3 happened as we left. John witnessed it and was highly amused. 0 - 3 for the weekend.

John, Shane, and I caravaned off to Springfield Mall. I requested a stop by an AutoZone on the way.

I just replaced the other headlamp a couple weeks ago. The other one decided to die on the way up.

Which meant I was driving around with a rejected sticker (valid for 15 days - old tires) and a car with one headlight. I had all my paperwork, but I didn't want to get pulled over so that bulb needed a quick fix.

We dropped by a different FLGS and I picked up a pair of Pokemon card packs for a reward and car entertainment.

Then we toured the mall. There's no longer a playground by the food court. John and I talked, reminisced, and played a game of Magic with some duel decks I picked up while Shane farted on my phone. The last time we'd played Magic was around 9th grade.

Security wasn't tight around the mall. It was shopping for clothes online.

I would have liked to have visited my teacher friend, Matt G, but he was moving into a new house. That gave us plenty of time to wander around. Shane played a Pokemon demo game in Target.

We stumbled across a store selling nostalgia from when John and I were young.

Shane recognized some of it.

I recognized just about everything.

Even the Pokemon.

We had a lot of fun, but we had to call it quits eventually.  There was a two-hour drive ahead of us and school in the morning. John's had a tough time of it lately, so I was happy to get a chance to see and support him.

At Shane's request, we dropped by the retirement home on our way out to say good-bye to Nana and Pop. They would be hanging around for the week before going to help with baby Aiden. I ended up watching hockey with Pop while Nana went on a Pokemon walk with Shane.

I had to call her to bring him back or we may have never gotten home.

Still a Party...

Bryce came home with us from daycare on Monday and Tuesday. Nana picked up Monday; I picked up Tuesday.

Boy, do the boys love to play. Bryce probably leaves sweat stains on his pillow each night.

Shane is going to be torn up when we do finally move south!

UPDATE: Thursday, we visited Bryce's house after school. It's been Bryce, Bryce, Bryce all week!

Bryce started to cry when Shane held some candy. He was, also, very concerned Shane would take his toys home! Sharing is a learned skill! It takes practice! Kids need and (usually) like to be around other kids. Bryce and Shane are no exception.

Shane wanted to visit on the way home Friday, too. I got to hear "I'm going to miss him" the whole way home....and I didn't even get a greeting when I picked him up! Shane looked at me and said, "I wanted Nana." I think there was a muttered "I miss her" in there somewhere, as well. I bet Carrie is going to hear a whole list of "I miss _____" when Shane goes south for good.

Adjustment Period? More Like Party Period!

Shane likes his new daycare. He especially loves being around Bryce. Nana and I took them to the mall/town-center on Tuesday.

They played in a free play area off the food court first. We went to a bounce and play second.

Wednesday, Nana went with me to pick up Shane again. They both wanted to go to the mall again. Guess where we wound up?

There was no bounce and play afterward. We walked around the mall instead. Nana likes to wander and go wherever a whim takes her. We went to a toy store and then Target before going home. Shane wanted to stop by Bryce's house on the way, but I was too tired! Shane will see Bryce at day-care tomorrow. I've tasked him with learning the other boy's names, too (because learning someone's name shows you care).

Shane's definitely going to like his time here.

Time with Friends

Shane got to spend Thursday and Friday at Daniel's house. We had the boys say "Goodbye," on Friday, but I doubt either one really understood. We may still visit from time to time, but it will be a lot harder once we head south. A four hour round trip is a lot of effort for a quick play date! Daniel's family stays pretty busy, too. Mike flies all over the country (and sometimes the world). 

It would be great if we can keep in touch over the distance. Never say never, so I'll try to do what I can on our end. It's not likely, though. 

I would never have said that when I was a kid. However, I've discovered life drastically changes once you move out and start working full time. Then, when you get married it changes even further. Pop out a kid and all bets are off! It takes time and effort to keep up with people - both of which are in limited supply. There's only so much time in a day and lots to fill it with. But one can hope.

Saturday and Sunday, Shane got to spend time with Nana, Pop, and Bryce. Bryce is Bruce and Reina's son. They are long time family friends from church (Bruce taught Matt in Sunday School and went on a mission trip to Russia with the twins and I). Shane and Bryce know each other from play dates at Nana's, Thanksgiving, and some other holidays. This past weekend, Nana took them to the mall twice and let them bounce in the inflatable play area (Reina's idea). 

They boys are going to see a lot more of each other over the next month at daycare! Shane is going to go to the same home Bryce does while I live at Nana and Pop's until May. Then we'll have to have another round of "goodbyes." To Shane, a month is an unfathomable amount of time, though. He'll enjoy it.

Honestly, I think the move was pretty painless for Shane. He played his heart out from Thursday on while Carrie and I slaved away!