School, We Are Coming For You!

After the longest summer vacation in history, the big kids are starting back to school FACE TO FACE on Monday. We are one of the only counties in Georgia that has offered the option to return to the classroom, and for our family, I could not sign up fast enough.

Jacob's Pre-K program is in a different county, so he will be attempting virtual learning. I am not very optimistic that online instruction will work for a group of four year olds, but maybe he will surprise me! :)

Maggie and Tuttle are eager to meet new friends and get a break from all our forced family fun since March. While Tuttle is dreading the early morning wake-ups, they were both impressed with their new school.

I put together some quick "Bowls of Sunshine" this morning to surprise our teachers. I always love am excuse to search Pinterest for a little project.

The school day will look drastically different this year with face masks, distanced seating, and limited movement around the school, but it gives us a glimpse of normalcy, so we will take it!

Third and Fifth Grade, see you on Monday!

End of Summer

The Peace Family hosted a family birthday party as one final celebration for Maggie as well as Aunt Peach and Grandaddy. It is so convenient to live close to family in Roswell now especially when you are running late. :)

We have hit the final week before Tuttle and Maggie start school. Luckily we are in one of the few Georgia counties that is offering face to face instruction. I do not know how long it will last with the risk of another COVID-19 outbreak, but we are optimistic that we can begin to return to a more normal life and schedule.

Jacob's Pre-K program is not in the same school system, so he will be attempting virtual school in a few weeks. I cannot begin to understand how a group of four year olds will successfully learn in front of a computer screen, but maybe I will be surprised...

This has been a LONG summer, but it has been full of lots of memories. We are excited to start a new adventure at a new school!

Eight Is Great

Our Maggie Moo turned EIGHT yesterday! The years are flying by with this Katniss Everdeen loving, brother obsessed, gymnastics star, sassy but sweet girl.

Our typical big parties were toned down this year due to the pandemic, but it turned out perfectly for Maggie. She requested new nail polish from the Dollar Store for makeovers, homemade nachos, baking and decorating cupcakes, Netflix movies, and a sleepover with three close friends. 

I told Maggie they could stay up as late as they wished as long as they stayed in the basement. I really thought a movie in the dark would cause sleep to come quickly after a busy evening dancing, swimming, and laughing. Boy, was I wrong! I checked on them at 2:45am to find a gymnastic meet going on! :) I hope everyone is ready for a nap soon!

2020 has brought on so many changes. A new house, a new gym, a global pandemic, and soon to be a new school. Despite all the uncertainty, we know Maggie will continue to shine and excel in everything she does. Especially if it involves any competition!

St. Simons Escape

We ventured to St Simons Island for our annual beach getaway with Gram. It was so nice to have a break from home during the Corona craziness. Everyone looks forward to this trip!

It was especially HOT this year, but we checked off many of our favorite activities. The highlights were Summer Waves, the dolphin boat tour, watching the sun set on the beach, and climbing the lighthouse.

We ran into the friendliest couple with snakes at the pier, and they were happy to let the boys hold their pets. Gram, Maggie, and I were only there to watch. Daddy was quick to squash the idea of adding a snake to our house when I texted him the pictures!

Tuttle and Maggie braved the tallest and darkest water slide at Summer Waves and then proceeded to ride it repeatedly until I had to pull them away to go home. Tuttle beat Maggie's tally of 15 with his 18 times down the Pirate's Passage.

Gram and I loved the dolphin tour probably more than the kids. Our guide told us the history of St. Simons and explained the recent sinking of a carrier ship that is stuck right off the harbor. We finally spotted dolphins at the end of the tour, and all three kids took a turn driving the boat.

We braved climbing all 129 steps to the top of the St. Simons Lighthouse. This was an even bigger feat because it was 1000 degrees, and we were required to wear masks. Gram might be inching close to 70 years old, but she still has the energy and determination to keep up with her grandkids!

The only tolerable time at the beach was after dinner, but we tried to make it down several times. The kids loved digging in the sand and catching waves. Gram and I primarily watched from the comfort of our beach chairs. :)

We had planned to stay for a full week, but the heat and restrictions from Covid-19 made the trip more challenging, so we went home a day early. We are so ready for everything to return to normal if that ever happens...

Thank you, Gram, for another fun year at the beach! I know these memories are so special to all the Thorne babies, but especially to me!