Back to School-4th grade

Ashton started his homeschool program yesterday.  He had a great first day.  He even got up early and got dressed so he could have a little extra television time before the day started.

1st day of homeschool

Also last Monday we meet Ashton's biological father, Mr. Rick at Greenbrier State Park with his wife and two boys.  Mr. Rick was super nervous, but I think the visit overall went well.  We stayed there for 2 or 3 hours and then Ashton was ready to go home.

1/2 brother Ethan age 2

1/2 brother Aiden

Ashton and Mr. Rick

Ms. Tiana pregnant with baby boy #3 and Mr. Rick

Another big change ahead!

So we officially took the leap and decided to start Ashton off with a home school program this school year.  I hope I am not biting off more than I can chew, but I also find myself somewhat excited.  I am hoping to spark a love of learning in him!  I figure I can't do much worse than virtual online school and if it's a total failure, we can just enroll him in his local home school.

Summer has been a mixed bag for Ashton.  His mood over the past month or so has been really angry and irritable. He had been threatening run away and jump out of his window on numerous occasions and has had trouble with his peer relationships We recently increased his Zoloft and for the first few days he was like a different kid. So much happier.  It's just so hard to understand what is going on with his brain wiring.  I am confident that much of it is genetics, but I so wish he didn't have to struggle so much.

Even with Covid Ashton has managed to sneak in some summer fun.  Last week we went to Bethany beach with his best friend Valentina from school.  They had a great time digging holes the beach and playing in the surf with their new boogie boards.

Ashton with his friends!

This past weekend our neighbor Mr. Jimmy took Ashton and Lily fishing on the lower Potomac.  Ashton caught the largest fish weighing in at 20lbs!

My heart in one photo!

Reeling in a big one!

 

 

He didn't want to touch it, but he was pretty proud!

Pondering life!

 

Exhausted from the day!

Ashton has attended Playground camp most days, but really enjoyed going to Tree Trekkers Camp where he got to climb trees, zipline, and travel through obstacles platform to platform.  He keeps asking to go back!

June 23rd is the official day, but we are DONE!

So June 23rd is supposed to be the final day of school for HCPSS, but the Gjerde clan is officially done!  Ashton had his final "class check-in" on Friday.

Attached are some pictures from his "schooling"

School with the dog

Mom, "I've finished all my work, can I have computer time?"

 

 

 

 

"Look what I made mom!"

Pool days

 

 

Kicking off summer with his best buddies

Our new normal

So we are 8 weeks into our COVID quarantine and we are slowly settling into our new normal routine.  Ashton, for the most part, is doing his work unprompted.  Honestly, I am not terribly sure about the quality of the work, as I am having to work as well and can't oversee it properbly, but he seems to be able to complete things fairly well.  At this point, it all about survival, as I suspect this will be our new normal for a long while.  Still waiting to hear about summer camps, but I suspect it will all be canceled sadly.  Too much liability.

After 3 p.m. each day he gets his electronics, where he watches youtube videos and plays video games with his friends while chatting on kids messenger.

Here are a few pictures of Ashton being creative.

Boxcar design

Stairwell sliding board

Hairdryer Crayon Art

9 years already!!!!!

I can't believe our little dude is 9 years old already!!!!  Make it stop!!!!  Of course, being in quartine has been a little different for sure! 

9 years old!

Ashton received lots of love in the mail from so many people.  We even had a quick drive-by from Ms. Taylor, Paisley and Noelle.

Favorite gift of the day was an Unspeakable sweatshirt from Tia Lisa family and pop-pop.

Unspeakable sweatshirt

With a signed picture from Unspeakable

Lastly, earlier this week Ashton wanted to go swimming at one of our favorite local swimming holes.  It was 78 degrees outside, but he braved the chilly water!  BRRRRR!

Swimming at the Frederick Watershed! So cold!

Crazy Times

Homeschool Art with Ms. Giro

We have entered crazy and unprecedented times here in Frederick, MD and around the entire world!  Corona Virus has shut down everything around the country and the world, quarantining people at home.  And with new cases of Coronavirus increasing every day it doesn't appear as if it will cease anytime soon.  For my own sanity, I have instituted a modified homeschool schedule from 10-12.  Offering classes like music, art, technology along with math, reading, and writing.  Kids have been doing chores, having creative time, exercise time and after 3 p.m. each day assuming they have accomplished all their goals then they can have t.v. time.

Ashton 411

Ashton was selected as the MVP for his class last week and he shared the following information with his classmates

Favorite Color:  Lime Green
Favorite Number:  9
Favorite Youtuber:  Unspeakable
Favorite Animal:  Dogs (Beagle)
Favorite Subject:  Art and Math
Favorite Game:  Minecraft
Favorite Letter: A
Favorite Candy Bar: Twix
Favorite Snack:  Cheez it's 

Also, he loves to go outside and watch Peppa Pig.  When he grows up he wants to be a YouTuber.  He also wants to go to Colorado.

While he didn't share this with his MVP info currently his favorite band is Imagine Dragons