tales from a far-land

May 19th was a bittersweet day for our family.  In year's past the last day of school was joyous occasion.  The kids would enjoy end of the year parties with their classmates.  They would sign each other's yearbooks.  They would say goodbye to their teachers and friends before heading home to start summer break.   None of those traditions happened this year.  Instead, the school year ended with me picking up the kids' classroom stuff and yearbook from school wearing a mask while social distancing from their teachers.  Such a weird day.   The kids, though, were happy that homeschooling was over.  At least, for now ...   Even the school's mascot as masked up A special goodbye to Mrs. Billings - she is officially retired! Madilyn ~ Last Day of School Aiden ~ Last Day of School Both kids Aiden's Comparison 1st and Last Day of School 3rd Grade Madi's Comparison 1st and Last Day of School 4th Grade Both Kids Comparison 1st and L...

In February, Lookout Mountain Elementary School hosted a couple of fun events for their students.  The first was a Fun Run.  This was a running fundraiser promoted by the school's booster club.  Every class competed against each other to raise money for the school.  The goal for each kid was to run 25-35 laps. Both of my kids surpassed this goal.  Madilyn ran 50+ laps and Aiden ran 40+ laps.  The counting got a little lousey-goosey by the end.  Even though it was a dusty affair, I am so glad that I was able to support my kids on the day of the event. Madilyn and her classmate holding their class flag Aiden's Turn In honor of Valentine's Day, Lookout Mountain Elementary held a Father/Daughter "Sweetheart" Dance on February 29, 2020.  Madilyn was so excited!  Her date took her to Moon Valley Country Club before the dance for dinner.  Then, they headed over to the dance at the school.  Josh even bought Ma...

Wow, I cannot believe that my kids are half-way through the school year.  This past semester was much different than years' past.  The pace was much more calm and less stressful for all of us.  Both kids seem to be liking Lookout Mountain Elementary (LOM).  They have made some new friends and re-connected with some from preschool.  Neither of the kids have had too much homework.  Aiden usually has a spelling test on Friday that we have to study for throughout the week and a Wednesday writing assignment that is due on Friday.  Madilyn receives a homework packet on Wednesday which is due the following week.  The only frustrating part is that because our kids are not receiving as much homework as they were previously, we don't always feel like we know what they are learning.  But, I'll take that over the tears and anxiety of the past.  Academically, the kids have done very well the first two semesters.  Madilyn qualified both semeste...

We did our own little photo shoot on the morning of school picture day.  I just cannot believe how "grown-up" my kids are becoming.  Wish I could stop time so they could stay "little" for a tad bit longer.  Enjoy! Madilyn Rae Aiden Price Siblings Madi and Sadie The "real" school photos

On Monday, August 5th, the Farrell-Landers children started attending a new school -- Lookout Mountain (LOM) Elementary School in the Washington Elementary School District.  Switching schools was a hard decision for Josh and I to make, but we felt that this school would allow both of our children equal opportunity to excel in school while also giving them (and the entire family) more of a home/school/extra-curricular activity balance.  We also were hoping to give us a little more sense of community.  So far, so good!  I'm really hoping they love being a Lookout Mountain Lion! We attended the kids "Meet the Teacher" night before school resumed, and both kids seem to have great teachers this year.   Aiden is in Mrs. Billings' Buccaneers third grade class and Madilyn is in Mrs. Freeman's Firecrackers fourth grade class.   They also seemed to have quite a few kids they already knew because our kids have attended the LOM's KidSpace program during the...