Amy told the kiddos that life is all about learning and that a person has a choice to never stop learning. Amy is reading/learning to try to understand -and be aware- how racism (yes, I wrote that on a family blog post) influences everything in our lives from what media gets published (TV, movies, print, music, news), to how we communicate with each other, to how people react to even the term racism (uncomfortableness, defensiveness, denial, justification, indignation, outrage, fear, tears... just to name a few...).
Instead of continuing to be silent on racism and insist to the kids that every human being should be treated fairly and equally with kindness and respect, Amy wants the kids to be aware of racism and how racism continues to work today. This afternoon Amy talked with the kids about the awareness that people are not treated equally- even though they should be. Awareness that many human beings have a different experience in life ALL based on the color of their skin. The goal is for the kids to be aware of racism, to spot how racism is evident in their lives (in the form of generalizations/words/actions/what they watch), and for them to make the effort to change their thinking, behavior, and attitudes. One discussion at a time. All in an effort to be the change that our fellow human beings of every color deserve. Equality and Accountability for every human being.
Poor Shadow
During gusty winds in the summer, when the doors and windows are open, our doors can be sucked open or pushed closed by the wind. Last Saturday afternoon (June 6th), we had pretty gusty winds. Shadow was sitting in his usual spot at the front screen door looking out at the world (birds, chipmunks, squirrels). The wind pushed the front door closed and squashed Shadow between the storm door and the screen door. Ayson immediately opened the door and Shadow ran out. Later that evening, Amy found Shadow in the basement and discovered that his tail was wounded - the tail bone was showing:(
Amy and Shadow went to an emergency vet on Sunday and it was determined that Shadow had to get the top 1//3 of his tail amputated due to bone and nerve exposure/damage. Adam picked Shadow up that early evening and Shadow's shaved tail was a little shorter and blunt. He also had a few other shaved areas for various blood draws and such. He also came home with a hard plastic cone that we were instructed to keep on him for 14 days. The hard plastic cone was a complete failure. Shadow managed to get the cone off the 4 times that Amy put it on him. It was like watching a spectacular cat fight complete with thrashing and somersaults. Shadow opened his tail wound and blood was everywhere. :( Amy ended up spending the night with Shadow in the downstairs bathroom in an effort to keep Shadow from licking and biting his tail - which he did. A lot.
Shadow on Sunday evening after Adam brought him home.
The card that Ayson made Amy to thank Amy for helping Shadow Sunday night :)
The scene of the incident on Monday. The door is properly propped open.
Shadow watching the world again on Monday.
On Monday afternoon, Amy purchased TWO collar alternatives from PetCo and within an hour drove to PetCo and picked up one of the collars curbside :)
Collar number 2 was a complete success - look at how relaxed Shadow looks!!!! YAY!!!
Shadow wears the collar at night and is on the mend, his tail is healing properly, AND his fur will grow back :)
Pool time on Tuesday
Enjoying the warm weather and a sweet watermelon. The kids insisted on lots of pictures.
Yum!
Pretending to eat a massive chunk
LAST week of art: leaf prints!
Our roses are starting to bloom.
Shadow chilling on the beam
Amy snapped a picture of Shadow drinking from a water glass. The kids love an old picture of Mason drinking water from a glass so Amy had to get a picture of Shadow drinking too :)
Wednesday was crazy hot and the school had a water bucket challenge and the kids had to post their challenges on flip grid
Addie
Ayson
The kids said goodbye to their current classes on Friday via a google meet.
On Saturday, Addie's teacher had a goodbye for the class in her yard - with the kids standing 6 feet apart.
Addie's think out of the box picture for her teacher.
Addie's 2nd grade class holding up two fingers for 2nd grade
Mrs Davidson telling the kids what a great job they did this year and that she will only be around the corner from their third grade classes. She gave each child a little backpack with treats, a book, and a picture.
Mrs Davidson asking Addie is she wants an air hug, air high five, air fist bump...
Addie wanted an air hug :)
A note from Mrs Davidson
On Sunday we had lunch at Labrador and then walked the board walk. The goal was to dink around in the creek but both parking lots were full of cars so we scraped the rest of our walk and got ice cream instead :)
Hahaha, Addie wanted to walk to the right of the board walk while Ayson wanted to walk to the left...so we split up: girls vs boys :)
