The First Edition Of "The KC Post"

I want to apologize that I have been so inconsistent with blogging (and blog reading) these past few weeks. I really want to blog but my mind spins and I can't seem to concentrate, which makes me sad. Let's just say that if those much written about zombie/environment/war apocalypses were actually to hit, I wouldn't be a main character. I'd be "one of the millions who died in the first few days" so that's been good to find out about myself. Ugh.

All that aside, this week our kids start their "official" online learning and the expectation for each of them is about five hours of work a week. So while they are doing their work, I'm going to try and use that time to blog and see if that helps me be more consistent with blogging. (You can tell that I'm assuming the kids will be good to go on their own and won't need my constant assistance. We'll see how THAT goes!)

Last week I got the idea, from an Instagram friend, to put out a family newspaper. We decided this past Wednesday that every week day, each member of the family would create a daily newspaper contribution. So every Monday (at least that's the hope), you will get to read a smattering of articles/poems/etc from the four reporters at "The KC Post". Enjoy :)

April 1, 2020

Sam read a LOT of books today
By Sam, 1/4/20 
Sam read a few a lot very many a TON of books today. He read books both inside and outside. He read books on the grey couch, and the orange couch, and the green chair, AND the steps outside the back door. He read a variety of books including: Big Nate, Garfield, and The Time Garden. He is clearly an avid reader no matter when, where or what he is reading.

Cross-Town Diplomatic Relations Re-Established
By Dave
After a lengthy period of communications silence, contact was re-established among the distant nations of Snellvania, Klokoffland, and the KC Unified Territories (KCUT). In the case of Snellvania, a diplomat contacted the KCUT consulate over a secure telephone line. The conversation resulted in progress on foreign aid negotiations, discussion of concerns regarding rogue international actors, and a planned state dinner.
Emissaries from Klokoffland, meanwhile, made the lengthy journey to the borders of KCUT personally to exchange foreign intel and established a connection among the more youthful members of its diplomatic corps.
It is hoped that these renewed diplomatic relations among foreign powers will lead to greater cooperation on matters of public health, trade, and the arts.

Citizen Utilizes "Phone A Friend" Option
by Natasha
Today, Natasha invoked the "phone a friend" option and had an in-depth conversation with her friend, E. They discussed what is allowed for an immuno-compromised person during these times (not much), online church expectations (our kids must participate as much as possible), and possibilities for eating supper (virtually) together.
E. inspired Natasha to make a new recipe. Look for honey baked lentils coming to a menu plan near you.
It was an excellent time to "phone a friend" and connect with each other. Natasha definitely appreciates these in-person (while physically distanced) connections.

Outside time!!!!!!!!!!
By Rachel 
Today Rachel had outside time in the morning and the afternoon. While Rachel was outside in the morning she started on a house for fairies. In the afternoon she first went biking with her brother Sam, and then Rachel and Sam had a Popsicle. Next when Rachel and Sam were done their Popsicle Sam went inside and Rachel stayed outside. After that Rachel asked her mom questions about the book she was reading like "what is your book about", "what happened in the book", "why is it called WHAT MADE MADDY RUN?" Finally Rachel and her mom went inside. THE END!!!!

Rachel's Fairy House

GOOD BYE FOR NOW

April 2, 2020
New Talent Discovered
by Dave
The arts and entertainment world was rocked today by the emergence of a ground-breaking new musician. The recording artist, known by the moniker Moo$ie, stormed onto the corporate parody scene with a killer single, "I Am Moose." The music video had already been streamed over 10 times, earning it a Tin rating from the RIAA.
Critics are already raving about Moo$ie's debut single: "This is truly an anthem for our generation!" enthused recording industry CEO, Don Shaker. "Amazing work!" added Sandy Pham, prominent music critic.
Although it is still early in the awards season, the buzz is already building that Moo$ie may have a chance at a Juno, a Grammy, or even a D2L Ovation.

I Am Moose
by Natasha, lead parody writer of Moo$ie
Sung to the tune of "I am Cow" by the Arrogant Worms 

I am moose 
Hear me bellow 
I am quite the massive fellow
And I'm reppin’ D2L, sayin’ “Hell-ow” 

With Brightspace I am discerning 
When it comes to online learning 
I am moose, I am moose, Hear me bellow 

I am moose 
I am large 
But J B’s the one in charge 
When it comes to (“changing the way the world learns”) Dave only

All the kids are out of hand (kids only)
And now our work is in demand 
We are moose, We are moose, Hear us bellow! 

(Editor's note: Video available on demand!) 

MINECRAFT!!!!!!
By Rachel 
Today Rachel played Minecraft in the morning, afternoon and evening. In the morning when Rachel played Minecraft she played on a server called Cube Craft Game. When she played on the server Rachel played a game called Skywars. In Skywars the goal of the game is to be the last person standing out of 16. In the afternoon when Rachel played Minecraft she downloaded a trash prison escape game (Rachel only found that out after she played it). In the evening Rachel played Minecraft with Sam her brother (which you should know if you read her previous article called "Outside Time!!!!!!!") and her dad. When they played Minecraft they played a game called SG Minotaur and Lucky Block Islands (Rachel’s Dad was a noob). 
 SEE YOU SOON!!!!!! 

The Escape Prison
Original haiku by Sam
Played a map today
I played it inside Minecraft
It was really trash.

April 3, 2020

Sam orders new book, is excited
By Sam, 3/4/20
Sam ordered a new book today. He got it from PJ Library’s PJ Our Way (https://pjourway.org/). It is called “This is just a test,” by Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang. Sam is super excited and is anticipating its arrival. When asked, Sam said “the website said the book would arrive in 4-6 weeks”. We will have an update when the book arrives.

Mother of 2 passes down year old baking tradition
by Natasha
Mother of two, Natasha, decided today to pass down her one year old tradition of baking weekly challah. She taught her son, Sam (11), and daughter, Rachel (8) how to halve the recipe, let the yeast sit in the water to proof, and how to properly guess-timate 3/4c of flour so as not to use yet another measuring cup.
Sam and Rachel attempted kneading but Sam declared, "It's not for me."
Later, Natasha showed her children the complicated technique of rolling the dough, braiding it into a loaf, and later still, how to properly apply the egg wash.
"It was fun," declared Rachel in the end, while Sam added, "Rolling the dough was good."
The author would like to note that both aspiring bakers consumed seconds of the final product and announced they would take over the weekly challah baking from now on (except for the kneading!).

 

Neighbourhood game of Clue 
By Rachel 
Today Rachel, Sam and her mom went on a neighbourhood game of Clue. What was exciting about the neighbourhood game of Clue: what Rachel found exciting was going to all the different houses. What Sam found exciting was crossing off all the different characters, what Rachel’s Mom found exciting was biking with her kids. Rachel found it surprising how hard and fast it was to go up the hills.

Crossword Puzzle
by Dave

Across 1. Adam’s donation 4.  Rapunzel’s defining feature 8.  “Cool!” 11. Lemon___ (drink) 12. Woodwind instrument 13. Smallest positive number 14. Famous bat flipper 17. Founder of Tesla (first name) 18. Plant’s starting point 19. Played Yahtzee 22. A ___, skip, and a jump 24. Middle Eastern oil cartel 25. “I ___ you could do it!” 27. Former NBA competitor (1970’s) 30. Bringer of Rain 33. Original soundtrack (abbr.) 34. Cain’s brother 35. Politician’s assistant 36. Honest ___ 37. Gain some time to finish a library book.

Down 1. Kitchener MP ___ Saini 2. Phrase at a wedding (2 wds.) 3. Beg passionately 4. Tramp 5. They should have _____ on dogs off-leash! (2 wds.) 6. Statement of debt (abbr.) 7. No longer on the job (abbr.) 8. Romantic flower 9. Contribution to a poker game 10. No longer alive 15. Old age (literary) 16. Primus, for example (abbr.) 19. Place to study karate 20. Stock market starting point 22. Slowly get better 23. Hedwig, for example 25. ____ Bryant, former NBA star 26. Opposite of SSW 27. “S _____ Samuel” (2 wds.) 28. “This doesn’t ____ well...” 29. To begin ____ (get a fresh start) 31. A dance move 32. Alt. Form of “do” (Scots)