School Daze

    So, school was questionable this year.  As everything else, Covid ruled the roost and there were a lot of decisions and plans made to make this school year work.  I can only imagine how HARD our educators worked to make this year possible for our kids.  I said many, many times I am so very thankful I wasn't the one making these hard calls and being a classroom teacher having to deal with virtual learning and in person distance learning.  MAJOR KUDOS to all of them!!  As if we didn't already know... they are heroes.  I may have said this one here before but it bears repeating.  If you can find a silver lining to this pandemic, it's that no one will now argue that nurses and teachers are underpaid and underappreciated!  

Our original start date was August 3rd.  About mid July we found out it got bumped to August 18th.  Jimmy was very skeptical about them going back at all but we made the decision to send them with LOTS of prayers and trusting they CCS had taken every precaution.  We were very impressed with the Road to Return plan they had in place and feel they went above and beyond to protect our kiddos.  

Per tradition, I had to get the first day of school cookie cake.

We tried to make the most of our extended summer and enjoy some fun...

This one got me.  So little, so sweet.  Not so little anymore but still so sweet!

LOL!!  Very thankful CCS went to shorts only option this year after he outgrew every single pair of uniform pants during quarantine.  

Way back before Covid, I started researching tickets for Metallica.  This is Jimmy's favorite and I couldn't tell you one song they sing.  But with his 50th coming up, I thought a Metallica concert would be a good bucket list gift.  There was supposed to be a concert in Atlanta on August 9th but then... well, we know.  So, they then came up with a drive in concert concept.  It was a stretch.  Hardly the same as seeing a band live in an arena, but FAR less expensive, loud and for plan B, not too bad.  The drive in was in Maryville, TN just outside of Knoxville.  We drove up to an Embassy in Knoxville, had our first inside dinner since March at Chesapeakes and then drove over to the drive in.  It was an interesting experience.  We put stadium seats in the back of Jimmy's truck and brought blankets and snacks.  Lol!  

It was a fun night and while out of my element, a fun memory made with my hubby.  At one point, I went to the bathroom and joked that I was the only one in the long line for the potty wearing a sundress.  Lol!  There was a LOT of black and ripped jeans in that line. 

Keatyn running Cross Country against her will this year.  She really didn't want to do it again this year but the mean mommy that I am signed her up anyway sighting the "It's good for you" override.

Last boat day of the season.  We really enjoyed the pontoon this summer! So did the dogs.

We took the 4 wheelers up to the big house on Signal to ride and shoot guns again before it sold.  We had a ball riding through the paths and trails.  Love getting outside with these guys!

Hammock time with the pups...

When your shephards hook becomes a drying rack for your masks...

Love this chunky monkey!!

The kids and I have gone downtown several times to walk, let Trace skateboard, and take the dogs.  So much fun and so beautiful!

Golf with Granddaddy and Sisty...

Swim team fun...