Home Haircut

Serafina got to have a professional haircut back in August, but currently the virus is raging in our area so it doesn't feel safe to visit the hairdresser right now (even outside). But she felt desperate for a haircut and wanted me to do it.  We watched a YouTube video last night that showed us this technique with the rubber bands. She was willing to let me cut her hair but she didn't want me to brush it.  She did that part and then I separated out her hair and banded it.  

She was on FaceTime with her friends the whole time, which probably kept her from realizing how nervous I actually was chopping all that hair off.  

She was happy with the end result. 

It looks really cute.  It's certainly less than perfect and it's definitely a little rough, but she likes it and that's all that matters. 

Look at all that hair I took off! 

 

Warm Weekend

We had an unusually warm weekend so we spent a lot of time outside - lounging, playing, doing yard work. 

Mousse loves being outside with his humans. 

Yes, this is Tom getting dirt out of the fake grass with the shop vac.  Leo is in the background with the leaf blower. 

 

Serafina's Reflections Award

In October, Serafina submitted a dance choreography entry to the PTA Reflections competition.  The theme was "I Matter Because..." and she chose the song The Greatest by Sia.  She created her own dance to the song and we filmed it at home.  Her dance was selected first place at the PTA council level and she received an Award of Excellence.  She beat out 3rd - 5th graders from several local elementary schools. From what I understand, her submission was going on to the district level competition.  I'm not sure if that changes since she's no longer enrolled in school.  

I picked up her certificate and ribbon this week.  

Here's the video of her dance. 

 

Mousse's First Birthday

It's Mousse's birthday.  He's one year old, so of course we had to celebrate with presents and a "pupcake".  

The kids were excited to open presents for him.  

He's on a leash because my mom was visiting and he can get too excited around her and start jumping.  

He got a squeaky fetch stick and a purple duck.  This is his fourth or fifth duck.  He's an expert at destroying them but then I use their carcasses to hide treats to make a food puzzle for him.  

I made him a special "pupcake" by layering some peanut butter, with dog biscuit bits, cream cheese and diced pear in a ramekin and sticking it in the freezer.  We didn't light the candle for safety reasons. 

He loved it! 

 

Switching to homeschool

 On Monday, December 28th, Serafina was crying in her room.  I thought she was upset because we were making her go on a hike, but what was bringing her to tears was the very thought of having to go back to distance learning the next week.  I comforted her and gave her the same offer I've been giving since summer - I could homeschool.  She paused and didn't answer right away.  She had always said a quick "no" in the past.  She confessed that she wanted to do homeschool but she didn't want to put more stress on me.  I was very touched by her consideration but I assured her that I wouldn't have offered if I couldn't handle it.  She said that "yes, she wanted to switch to homeschooling".  We agreed to think about it for a couple of days, make a "pros and cons" list and do some research.  I reached out to a neighborhood mom that chose to homeschool her 5th grader, one of Serafina's former classmates, and we had a super informative chat.  We went to the teacher supply store and got some materials and workbooks.  We created a daily schedule. This week she was supposed to go back to school on Tuesday, but instead I reported her absent and we took a couple days to do a test run of homeschooling.  We both really like it.  She no longer has to be on the screen all day, bored and not participating.  We are deep diving in some of the topics that interest her (space, the American Revolution) and we are focusing on the areas where she could use more work.  

We felt good about our decision so I emailed the principal on Wednesday night and officially withdrew her on Thursday.  It's a little scary, of course, but it's only half the school year - a very strange school year at that.  It's not how I envisioned either of our time at the elementary school would end, but it's definitely the right thing to do.  There's no reason for her to be miserable day in and day out because of school.  There's enough other things making each day hard to navigate.  

Here she is working, screen-free, with her study-buddy Mousse.  

Leo had a break in his classes today so he decided he was going to "help" with homeschooling.  Here they are looking at some flashcards. 

Mousse's DNA

 We decided to get Mousse's DNA tested just for the fun of it.  Our trainer said it made no difference what type of dog he is because the training is the same no matter what.  But we were curious and the kit was on sale, so we went for it.  

We were expecting to see a good percentage of his breed make-up as Labrador Retriever because his mom looked like a Lab and he was listed as a "Lab mix" on the rescue website. 

Here's the results.  

No Lab!  The Border Collie isn't a surprise and neither is the German Shephard since his siblings have GSD markings and coloring.  But Bulldog? And Boxer? And Beagle? And even a little bit of Saint Bernard?  Well we were surprised and delighted and it was a fun experience finding out what our little mutt is made of.  I feel like I have to go back to all the strangers I met on walks and hikes and tell them that I was wrong when I said he was a Lab mix.  

No matter what, he's 100% goofball and a big weirdo and often shy with humans and dogs he doesn't know.  

He's also great with a frisbee. 

Happy New Year

We spent New Year's Eve eating and chatting on the phone with friends.  The kids stayed up late and were cranky today.  It was our first New Years Eve in five years that we didn't go to our friends, the Gradwohls', house.  

Serafina made her own little recap video of her year.  

Here's hoping 2021 is a whole heck of a lot better.