More homeschooling, an Okoboji getaway, and finishing up the school year.

We wrapped up the last week of homeschooling and had high hopes of keeping up with the more relaxed version, but had an opportunity to sneak away to Okoboji, so took advantage of that instead. We started to like the more low key schedule as time went on because it gave us some extra time to explore with the bikes and spend some time working in the garden. I'm getting a tase of what summer is going to feel like as all three kids are pretty capable of themselves for short periods of time giving me the opportunity to dig in the dirt, something I have missed for the last 8 years.

Okoboji was a nice diversion, we drove down on Friday morning and the kids were brave enough to get in the ice cold water. We played on the dock and they got a little boat ride before heading inside for dinner and a fire pit. Maggie and I stayed up way too late making Tik Tok videos and then Saturday was a full day with a bike ride, Dave coming for the afternoon (he was on call so could only join for a few hours) and then more food and beverages. We hit the road on Sunday with tired and worn out kids. All in all it was a success.

We officially wrapped up the school year the following week with a virtual kinder graduation for Greta and a reverse parade at school which was a really fun way to cap it off. Next up- summer! We are optimistic that we can return to school in the fall, but will adjust to whatever the plan is when we know one.

Pip and I.  

Porch photos.  

Teacher's week. 

Zoom call fun. 

Family swim at Safe Splash, a great way to get out of the house. 

Dream girl. 

Swimming sisters.

Okoboji.

Swimming with all three.

Group photo. 

Picking up school supplies. 

Homeschool hair. 

Visting Aunt Julie's grave.

Official last day of school photo. 

Kinder grad.

Working in the garden with grandma.

Oakwood Lakes State Park

Dave had the week off and we didn't have plans and because of COVID, we had to stay close to home in case any sort of surge hit and Dave was needed, and also because I was scheduled to work an orientation shift in the ICU. We had originally planned to stay put for the week, but noticed some incredible days in the forecast so decided to get out of town to camp at a nearby state park. We ended up at Oakwood Lakes sort of as a back up plan as our usual spots were all booked on such short notice (we wanted a sleeper cabin). We we packed up the car, the topper, the bikes, the whole shebang and hit the road.

We were so pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The lakes, bike trails, playgrounds, everything was pristine, and we were one of maybe 6 groups total. We felt absolutely spoiled. And, it was our first time since having kids that our kids could run free. The park was across the field and they literally hopped on their bikes and would be gone for long periods of time. We did our weather report from the park and talked US history on our hike, so we even got some homeschool in while we were having fun. It was great to get out of town and let them stretch out and enjoy nature and be device free for 24+ hours.

We returned on Friday and I mentally prepped for my 12 orientation shift. It was informative, interesting, and a great opportunity to learn another aspect of nursing. Although I was really anxious about it from the very first thought of it, I'm glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and learned something new.

We're back home, hopefully the little break was just what we needed to get through the last few weeks of homeschooling.

We biked to the most gorgeous lookout.  

All 5 in biking motion (Pip is in the burley).

Greta taking notes by the campfire. 

Sully gets a lesson from the chef. 

The biking crew. 

Sleeping bag snuggles.

Late night parent time.

The morning hike before we returned home. 

We returned to the Magnolia tree in full bloom.

COVID-19 proofed.