an unprecedented school year 20/21

at the end of last schoolyear, kids went home with their belongings packaged in garbage bags via a non-touch drive through.  'Your child has accomplished something that has been asked of few adults. your child has taken 5+ remote learning classes.  Your child has learned to manage assignments, keep track of a schedule, and attend classes from their homes.' The same will likely be said of this school year too. (?) There was a later start, the kids are masked, and crammed high schoolers have a 50/50 attendance schedule. While the novelty of zoom technology has more than worn off, we still giggle about the time that Kindin learned to be attending upside down, the fact that Jack smashed his goal of avoiding use of the school bathroom, and about virtual introductions like this:

I am very excited to be in your 4th grade class. We will be spending the year together so I thought you might want to know some cool things about me. I was born on April 19th 2011. I was born with a big birthmark on my leg  that has grown with me my whole life. I was also born with a crooked toe. I had to get surgery when l was 4 years old to fix it and my mom was scared to give surgery to a little girl . I still have a crooked toe but it got better when I took the cast of. I have almost never been shy singing or dancing for an audience and l love to do art. I make lots of funny faces and l was born in Phoenix. My favorite book is Smile and I love making my own books. I have older siblings, one sister and brother which means I am the youngest and I am the youngest. I love going to school and meeting new people. My talents are singing , tapping , water skiing , drawing, and I am good at biking fast. If I had the choice to have a big, big house or have kids I would have kids. If I could have any job I would be a school  teacher or a dance teacher. I love to be creative and I love to make up dances. I have always dreamed of being a model too. I love hugs and my parents. I love celebrating birthdays and organizing. I share a room and love to be outside. I am excited to meet you and learn about you too.

and after 5 months of having my littles close, mom unprecedentedly felt like this after school dropoff: