This year looks a lot like last year, only everyone is one year older and some are a few inches taller.

Jeremy was on track to start high school in the fall, but after praying to God and talking to teachers and coaches, we (Jeremy included) made the decision to homeschool one more year before starting at WA. He has a June birthday, which would have made him a youngster in his grade. Little did we know back then that Covid would change the entire landscape of school and sports; thus, when you ask Jeremy if he has any regrets about waiting a year, he responds heartily, “NO.” His curriculum is entirely 9th grade stuff, so I’m telling people he’s in 9th grade, version 1.

• Peter: 11th grade
• Jeremy: 9th grade (version 1)
• Ruth: 5th grade
• Molly: grad school–majoring in napping

Derek was scheduled to return to college before our first day of school, but alas, he was found to have had close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid (asymptomatic) and therefore was forced to quarantine at home for two weeks. This just about sent Derek over the edge, knowing that all his friends were moving in at school and starting classes, while he remained here. Quarantined. At last moving day arrived–he was actually given hours notice–and we scrambled to get the Nissan packed up.

Molly–supervisor extraordinaire

He is now urged to remain on campus–in the “Wheaton bubble”–until Thanksgiving.