We won’t be guiding astronauts back to earth anytime soon but these three can hunt and peck and point and click their hearts out now.
So, yesterday was all about technology.
We first walked up to the school to pick up Marin’s computer.* This unusual errand sparked a gush of questions about computers from the other two. The details that follow expose embarrassing personal information. Please just skip ahead.
During our family kick-off meeting (knowing Marin would get her school machine,) I’d promised Baya and Linc the use of my old computers. Delivering on this commitment was harder than it sounds. It required opening the box of the new one I’d bought several weeks ago. This brand new computer had stayed in the closet because I hate setting new stuff up more than I hate using my old broken stuff. Why can’t it all just magically work?
Setting up new technology forces me to face my extreme laziness and technical incompetence. My password collection is completely incomplete. Installing print drivers makes me want to write everything out by hand forevermore. And restarting 14 times in a row sparks Girl Scout cookie binges. So, don’t even ask about hard drive backups. Argh!
But guess what’s worse than all that?
Two kids in my face talking nonstop about fairness.
I closed my office door, recalled my old Lamaze breathing, and got the extra machines booted up. That took the better half of the afternoon (and a sleeve of Thin Mints.) Meanwhile, the Deputy retrieved their Gmail passwords and set up parental controls. That’s just so like him. Thankfully, it’s now done. Ish.
After creating a fire and tripping hazard with the cords and power strips, they were able to get into the programs and games they play at school.
I then sent them their first email. I’ll admit it. I loved, loved, loved this. And, I LOVED getting one back… then another, and another.
Eventually, I had to tell Baya that running in to ask how to spell key words kind spoiled the surprise of the message.
After more screen time this morning, this was a Sunday in our new world order. Patching a skinned knee after a stumbling on a walk, a parking lot soccer game with friends, a brief beer “flight” sipped at a safe 6’ distance, and hair chalk.
Brian and I compared schedules after dinner and have the hand-offs worked out for tomorrow.
So on the eve of this unprecedented school-, work-, live- from home period , I’m feeling both anxious and hopeful.
How about you?
*I forgot to mention this before. I’m beyond impressed with our school district’s response to Covid-19. They have a well-reasoned detailed plan, are over communicating, and offering lots of support. They are on it.