helps me not focus on who is not here at home right now!
A sweet friend knew the weekends are hard and invited me to a Christmas tea with one of our neighbors. What a neat opportunity to sit and visit with three people I had never met before and get reacquainted with two others. When I remember that there are those in my neighborhood who need to hear of hope, it gives me something to do!
I am also trying to counter the constant giving out with taking time to rest. I was reminded that feeling guilty is not a reason to do something! As the days roll on, I am realizing I do not have the same energy to keep going and doing and doing and going. To be honest, K5 takes a lot out of me each day! I love it, but there is much to do from the minute I walk through the door till I walk out this time of year! And this is the first year that I sometimes sit in the van a few minutes trying to find the resolve to go in the double doors! Finishing the end of a good worship song and an extra sip of coffee...and I open the door! It is almost like taking the extra deep gulp of air before you jump into the cool lake water...you know it is going to be fun, possibly take your breath away, and you will want to do it again!
And then...we have home to care for...inside and out! Teddy and I got new lights to replace the dying ones. We stuck with the red, white, and blue theme! Time with my big kiddos on Saturday refreshed my heart! We did some minor shopping and had lunch out at a New Mexican place, then came home to take care of our chores to be ready for Sunday and a new week.
Sunday was a treat! The services were a blessing and we got to visit with Bud and Karen before they head back to Bolivia! Our only disappointment was that Ted wasn't with us!
Catching up on Sunday with Ted...oh...we miss him!
Reindeer games at school for reindeer day! Oh the giggles!
And learning how to play UNO! They loved it!
Saw this word idea on Pinterest and it was perfect for our class door! We need to add something else, but they wanted to take their gingerbread guys home today. Oh well. The longer I teach, the better I am about letting little things go...tomorrow isn't promised...but if there is one...we can do something fun on that day!
The tree at home was up for a week with only the lights. For a hot minute I almost decided that was good enough! But I finished with the ornaments...finally! Oh the fun memories with each one I pulled out...and these are just Ted and my ornaments. We separated all the kiddos' last year as we packed up Christmas. Ashlynn's are hanging on her tree in TN. Alisa's are on her tree in her room upstairs. Teddy's are still in his bucket. If I think about that too much, I get all teary about how everyone is grown up and everything is really starting to change! It is what we want to happen...it is what we have worked so hard for...but man...the emotions that pull at your heart are amazingly strong!
Leftover coffee with a pack of hot chocolate and whipped cream and a Christmas movie while I finished decorating. Next time I will add a candy cane...peppermint mocha!
Love to have Christmas on display in every room! Yes...even in the downstairs bathroom!
And then I made the mistake of sitting down before I cleaned up the stepladder and box. Oh well! See...the older I get...I don't mind an unfinished job...for a little bit!
Find a correct number and put a snowball in your team's bucket! We then had a snowball fight! Fun!
The fun was coming to an end...little Miss E said that with my shirt I looked "all Santa-ee!" I told her almost...but I don't have white hair and a...she interrupted and added, "and you don't have a curly beard...which is good 'cause you are a girl!" which made me laugh and agree with her. Thank goodness, I don't have a beard! "That would be scary!" and I lost it completely.
Working so hard! Proud of what they can do...building blends and words. We are working on building sentences now!
They gave me goosebumps as they recited their verse and poem and then sang! They do a great job when they are all paying attention at the same time and looking in the same direction to be able to follow the leader...me! Our program is next Thursday...in person!!!!
Tis the season of random snowfalls...and puppies who like to go out multiple times to eat snow!
They both came to the door at different times with faces full of snow and made me laugh! Fun little friends!
Are you really a good teacher if your desk doesn't look like it exploded multiple times during your day? I looked at mine today when I turned around to grab the sprinkles while the binders decorated their graham cracker houses...oh.my.word!
