Back to NTI

 NTI.....Non-Traditional Instruction (aka the kids are all back at home to learn.)  Apparently it also stands for Nuclear Threat Initiative, as in there is a threat of WW III in my house at times!  

I will say I am enjoying being able to sleep in, as I don't have to wake Drew up until 7 AM now because his day starts with a morning meeting at 7:45 AM.  Drew has periodic lessons with his teacher over Google meet and then they do assignments either on line or in their books and then re-convene later.  His teacher always starts the meet a few minutes early in the morning so they can get all their chatting out, which is a great idea for 8/9 year olds.  And she always starts the day with a riddle.

The girls get awoken around 9, as their first meet us not until 10.  Alison made an interesting comment yesterday that she didn't recognise one of the boys in her class because he didn't have a mask on.  How strange that they have never seen each others smile, except if they happen to sit next to each other at lunchtime.

The reason that our county went back to NTI is because the governor recommended that all counties with a positivity rate over 25% should have virtual classes.  The original plan was to go back to in person on December 4; however, the governor announced yesterday that schools should stay virtual until January.

Also, for the next three weeks, all restaurants and bars should close to in-person dining; weddings and funerals should be limited to 25 participants; gyms are limited to 33% capacity and no group classes.

Alison was scheduled to have her first gymnastics competition on Saturday, but that has been postponed for now.  She also had one scheduled in 2 weeks time, which will also not be happening.  She has really improved so much since her practice meet.  She has worked so hard at home on her bar routine especially and she is now able to do a front hip circle and a mill circle.  I envy her determination!!!

The other new rule is no indoor gatherings of more than 2 households and no more than 8 people.  Which means no Thanksgiving with the Deans.  It's unfortunate that the first year in 6 years that we are able to do Thanksgiving in person with family on the actual day at the usual time and Brad has the day off work and the kids don't have to go to school.

There is very little hope for Archie to ever get used to being left alone for extended periods of time, as there are not many places for the kids to go.  And I feel house bound, as I need to make sure they are on task.  Thank goodness for on-line shopping.


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