10/19

Today was spent just soaking up our surroundings and loved ones!  It's a school day, so the boys have to get up about 7.  That meant that we needed to set an alarm for a few minutes before that to allow time to get Leo and Jack into the house from our trailer.  Within the next 45 minutes, they eat breakfast, get dressed (Brita lays out clothes for them the night before), get backpacks ready (Brita makes them each a lunch) and get their winter gear on and get into the car.  That is an amazing feat for everything to happen and go smoothly!  It's often a bit chaotic!  But once they get in the car, they still have about 45 minutes to pick up a friend (carpooling buddies) and drive down to Olympic Valley to Creekside Charter School.  It's part of the local school district, but there is no bussing.  It's also known as Squaw Valley Resort, but their name is changing to Palisades Tahoe.  The community is called Olympic Valley because the winter olympics were held there in 1960. It's a small school, with just one class of each grade level.  A lot of their activities are outdoors, in fact, they eat lunch outdoors year round.  That's why they put on snowpants, boots, parkas, mittens and hats to go to school.

The boys each say they love their school and classes.  They have outdoor classroom areas.  They were in in-person school for a lot of last year, but still have to deal with new covid cases which can cancel class.  Also, the community rate of cases plays a role in whether or not the kids are at home with online school or in the classroom.  I think Jack and Ian would prefer to get rid of online assignments and meetings, and I know Brita is definitely ready for that!

The picture above is the center "plaza" and the classrooms all face onto that.  In the background you will spy part of a chairlift for the Tahoe Palisades ski terrain.  The kids can take lessons over there after school, so that is great for them!

The day was busy with running some errands, cleaning up some stuff in the trailer, nature hike with the kids, and cooking up tacos for supper.  A regular day made more special with the hubbub of a happy house!  We are feeling so lucky to be here!

Picture borrowed from the web, showing the Olympic rings which still stand at the entrance to the community.