Thank goodness, it is Friday!

It has been a long, rough week of testing and sickness and rain.  We had some fun with the National Crayon Day in K5 to help us meet the required hours in school this week.  I am not sure that much was learned or reviewed.  We did learn what crayon was retired...dandelion!  I had four unused dandelion crayons that I used for prizes for our coloring contest!  Keeping old crayons and unused crayons...score!  We sorted crayons and will melt some down on Monday...because we ran out of time...having fun!

I've had lots of time alone this week...

and I have taken the advice I was given to rest.  Good advice when I have been fighting some sort of germs!  I've had fevers in our family, fevers in my class, vomiting in my class, and germs galore.  I've been grossed out so many times this week by my sweet little friends who put their hands where they just should not.  When you are at rest...you have time to notice the little things and be grateful for them!  This week...I've watched all the little birds hopping around our yard and trees...doesn't matter if it is the front or back yard...they are busy and noisy!  I'm just thankful to be in this place to watch them!

My little guard dog

 sat and barked at the man who came to check on our cable/internet service...but only after he said the word "cat" as we were talking.  I laughed!  She finally settled down next to me...growling in her throat.

My fluffy little sassy dog has sure been great company to me lately!  And fiercely protective...well...only till she rolls over for a tummy rub!

What?!?

You mean the weekend is already almost over?
Guess who loves having us home!?  She brings all her toys out of the basket.  She loves to curl up on our laps.  Velle is our little friend and great therapy!  She is also in need of grooming...on Thursday.  She is so cute and fluffy at this stage, but with the snow/rain spells we have had she is getting matts that we can't comb out.  She will look like a different dog...but still act like her spoiled self!

Some weeks you are very happy to get to Friday!!!

 Love her excitement as she walked past my desk and did a double-take "What are all these treats for?!"  This is how I planned to reward my Kinders as they followed along for our assessment testing.  I had jellybeans, but I have some little picky Kinders.  They all are happy with Smarties and DumDums!

 Sports Extravaganza...it always seems to be the night that never ends...but the kiddos enjoy it!  Teddy earned his letter and a couple certificates.

I spent time this weekend in the garage digging through some boxes to unpack and sort.  I found a few pictures...and we went back in time for awhile!  Oh my!  How much things have changed in and for our family!  Now...I am itching to climb back to the corner of the garage and get to the photo album tubs that are on the very bottom of the stacks!  We will see how far I get this week!

Moments to be thankful for...

 in K5 this week.  Building words...they didn't think they could do it!

 Practice paper to practice for the assessment testing the rest of the week.

 Thinking of more words with special sounds..."Scetti!" piped up Mr. E.  I laughed!  And then showed them how to spell spaghetti!

 Testing...takes up a lot of time!  The lesson plans I had to make are now null and void for the next week too.  Assessment testing will take us through to next Thursday.  This is a big deal in K5 and the most they could handle was 60 minutes today...split into sections.

We filled the other moments with other activities, movement, and music.  It is my first time testing in K5...and wow...adjustments have to be made so I don't lose them to tears and anxiety!

Father and Son

working together to remodel the storage room for Teddy's room!

Neighborhood friends

Sunday afternoon visitors!  About 10 deer made their way through the backyards in our neighborhood!  Monday brought strong smells which had us on high alert for skunks!  So far...Teddy is the only one who has caught sight of one!  Hoping and praying that Velle doesn't meet one!

Saturday's snow

 We woke up to huge, fluffy flakes falling.  We sat inside and watched all morning while drinking our coffee.  "All is calm...all is bright..."  By the time we went out...it was melting!

 There was a lot of activity at our house on Saturday night...and I am sad that this is the only picture.  We enjoyed time with two of our families from our SS small group who also have boys in my K5 class.  They now know that I don't live at school, I have lots of toys that I don't play with, and I make good food!  We forgot how busy and noisy six little ones six years old and under can be!

Our big kiddos were such great helpers/entertainers so the adults could have adult conversations!  "Oh...wait...I'm not prepared for adult conversation!  Is that still a thing?" exclaimed one momma...and we all laughed...yep, it still happens now and then!

Friday night date

 We tried a new place...and dove in head first into unhealthy yumminess!  Deep fried  pickles...

deep fried Oreos and Twinkies for dessert.  I hope this place sticks around for awhile...they have a good thing going!

Spring break...time at home and time with friends

 A trip to the mall with friends...trying to convince me that Velle needs a friend!

 We can always find something to smile about!

 MMMM...pretzel snacks.

 Girls always go for the pretties!

 Velle sat staring at the table and whining...after I put the pretty pink cupcakes on the table!  I got a chance to use the beautiful cut-glass bowl for company...talk about making fruit appetizing!

One of my little friends and her mommy came for lunch on Thursday.  My heart needed this special time!  We were able to share our answer to prayer and a yummy lunch together.  My big kids were such a blessing too.  Little Miss L made a new friend in Velle.

 And her mommy brought tears to my eyes when she shared this saying from her pastor!  She sent me a picture of her coffee cup after our visit.  Once again...I am reminded that God sends people to minister to you and remind you of the important things in life.

 Thanking the Lord for time off to spend with my family.  We have emptied more boxes and have done a little more settling in to our home.  We have had countless opportunities to share our hospitality with friends and church families.  When we head back to school on Monday...it is the first day of spring!  Maybe all the snow will be melted by then!?

Two and a half months left of school...time to hold on tight!

My Friday night dates

 the guys across the table kept Alisa and I entertained while we waited for our Zoup bowls.  We decided to do something different for supper.  Ashlynn was at the MACS fine art tournament and Ted was flying home from Mexico.

 The guys got Chicken and Dumplings.

Caden didn't like the lima beans or peas in the soup.  He quietly...till Teddy pointed it out...put them off to the side and kept eating.  He made me laugh, "You remind of your Momma."

"Ohhh...that is how you eat it!?  Glad you waited till it was empty!"

 Alisa and I liked ours too...Fire-roasted tomato...yum!  Perfect pick for a cold night!

It was a long week for all of us.  It was nice to spend time laughing as we waited for Dad to get home.  Next week...spring break!

The boys worked together to pick up a tv for the living room...which gives them a tv for the family room.  We continue to settle in and find a place for everything...and everything is fitting in its place.

Reading and watching with Auntie

 While Aunt Sara played with my big kids, I played with her little kiddo!  We read Little P's new books about animals.  She did not like the page with the ferrets on it!  Most of the pictures were cartoon drawings, but there were some "real life" pictures included too that just disturbed her.  We tried to turn fast!

 I shared the best preschool site ever with her...Super Simple Songs.  She was mesmerized and we sang along too.  How fun to watch her take in all those details and remember the songs and motions.  Doesn't matter how old children are...it is fun to watch them learn and enjoy new things!

Velle and her new pink ball

 Velle is enjoying all the space to run around in the new house...up and down the stairs...around the circle through the downstairs...and from room to room!

A great reminder for me this week!

Home Sweet Home

 No matter where we travel...

 or who we see...

or who we go with...

it is always nice to come home.

Ready for this year's Grandparents' Day...

 except we have had loss of power due to the high winds of yesterday!  Our family was so thankful for a home with a sturdy foundation and no loss of power.  Many around us are without power...estimates for restored power for some of our families are for Tuesday or Wednesday.  Several trees and power lines went down.  Our neighborhood has power underground and relatively young trees!  Loss of power for us now means no water, as we are on the well!
Our building has lost some legs of power...which doesn't include heat in our wing!  We had to go to Plan B...shortened time of events and all in the gym.  After our team meeting and brainstorming huddle, we got this!  Nobody wanted to cancel because we have over 75 special guests planning to attend.

A new idea for decorating this year...butterflies that the students made out of coffee filters...and it looks so bright and cheery!  Our reward?  Spring break next week!

Looking forward to seeing this guy!

Playing and Partying