Around Here Week 49: 12/1-12/7

Friday, December 27, 2019

A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this minute.















Intentional Outdoor Hours: 629+ hours  (of 1000)
Up one hour this week. I know my soul could use more time in the outdoors but between the cold temperatures, chores, and runny nosed kids around here - I can't get my act together. Still proud to be ending the year with more hours than last year, but it ain't over yet!

Reading The Astonishing Color After by Emily X.R. Pan. and The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer.

Celebrating our three and a half year old! Rusty had has half birthday and we sang and measured his height. He is so very proud to have the half added on there and will correct anyone and everyone if they say he is three; "No, I not three! I three and a half!"

Watching all the Christmas movies. The girls loved A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish (they call it "Sexy Santa" movie - HAH) and we also watched The Knight Before Christmas and The Holiday Calendar over the course of the week. We are watching the classics too like Home Alone and The Grinch too. Basically we've sworn off any television/movies that are not holiday themed around here.

Waking up to all kinds of surprises from our elf Marco. He's pretty low key, but still knows how to make quite a mess that has the kids smiling and shaking their heads. He helped St. Nicholas leave candy in our shoes on December 6th and turned our milk green (classic Marco!) on Saturday.

Getting holly jolly in the classroom. I let my Spanish 2 students pull out all the Christmas decorations and do whatever they thought looked best, Spanish 3/4 hung snowflakes from the ceiling (and they broke a table while they were at it?!) and I changed my laptop background to a fireplace to keep it cozy. We are tying up loose ends before  winter break in my two clubs; Spanish club deposited all the fundraiser money and ordered our club tshirts this week while Prom committee deposited their first week of prom raffle ticket money and made some calls to potential caterers.

Cheering for the end of Brandon's deer season as he got a buck on Saturday. Grey and his Dad were out with him for the day. Grey got to shoot twice at doe (he missed!) and then when the three of them were trying to push deer, B had an opportunity at a six point. Grey was so excited and proud - he came home and recounted the whole story to us.

Giving Gem a hug after she completed her first reconciliation on Saturday. She was a little nervous beforehand, but then felt great after she finished. The third grade students and their teacher (our Miss Hannah!) put on a little celebration afterward with cake, juice, and a craft. Next step - first Holy Communion next spring!

Visiting Abba, Chum, Kitty, & Uch at the downtown Christmas market where they were selling their homemade goods! We got to spend some time in the shop, peek in all the windows of the miniature houses in the park, and even see Santa! Rusty was brave and sat on his lap and then when Santa asked what he wanted - Rust panicked and started looking around the park for ideas. He said, "ummm, a house" (as in a miniature house) and was Santa was like..."well, I'll have to see about that" Only pretty sure he didn't think Rusty meant a mini house and Central Park Santa definitely thinks we're homeless....so thanks, Rust.

Winter sporting with basketball season for Grey. Still only in the practice mode, but he had one practice each for three of the teams he's on (he actually on four, but one didn't start yet). He loves it and it keeps him motivated in school - so I guess I can just shrug and carry on.

Teaching four days this week since here in western PA we get the following Thanksgiving off for deer season (hah). Our winter break is so close and the kids are already antsy pantsy, but I am determined to keep as close to business as usual because first, we have things to learn! and secondly, the days honestly go by quicker if we are on task and working. So Spanish 1 worked through Somos Unit 4 (quiere ser, habla, toma) and did a level-up reading/writing exercise. Spanish 2 started El Silbón de Venezuela Chapters 1-4, Spanish 2 Honors worked on Somos Unit 12 and learned about personal belonging vocab, and Spanish 3/4 Honors finally got to watch The Curse of La Llorona after finishing our novel.

Making taco turkey over baked potatoes, kielbasa and mac & cheese, fridge clean out day, frozen pizza, and chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes. We also made a Walmart pick-up grocery order to hold us over until the holidays arrive.

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