Wowee, what a year this school year has been! While this time last year, we were stuck in figuring out how to navigate remote learning, we've been fortunate enough to be in school (in person) this entire school year. Public schools in my area only just went back to in-person classes (full-time) in the last month or so. Thank goodness that we haven't had to deal with hard transitions this year, though I feel for the families who have.

We made it the entire school year with only one week of having to quarantine due to possible Covid exposure at school. The entire class was basically quarantined for a week of remote learning, right before Christmas. Otherwise, the school year has been as normal as possible during a pandemic school year. Sure, the kids are masked all day, and teachers are, too, but they've been in their classrooms. Teachers have been vaccinated, parents are becoming vaccinated (I get my second dose in less than 10 days!), and we're even planning on attending the first class field trip since the pandemic began.

Today, I'll head to my son's school for a socially distanced chorus concert... again, the first concert/assembly since pre-pandemic days. What a milestone! While I have been extra Covid-careful, this opportunity gives me hope that we're moving forward in the right direction. While the next couple of weeks of school will be busy for both of my kids, that's really all that's left to this school year- a couple of weeks! My son will be done in about 2 1/2 weeks, while my youngest goes through the last full week of May.

I'm so incredibly grateful for their dedication, love, and care of our teachers this year. They have made this 'off' school year feel semi-normal, keeping everything lighthearted and fun while immersing the kiddos in all sorts of lessons and subjects.

As it so happens, this week is Teachers Appreciation Week. Here's your friendly reminder not to forget to show your child's teachers how much you appreciate all they have done for your kids this year.

Looking for cool gift ideas for teachers? Check out Teacher Appreciation Gifts That Teachers Appreciate.

To all you awesome parents and teachers, hang in there- the countdown to the end of the school year is on, and we're almost there!