Picking/ Decorating the Tree

Yesterday being the day after Thanksgiving was our day to start decorating for Christmas! We started out by picking out a tree- the kids were very excited about all the trees and Ryan got very emotionally invested in the tree. He even named - and got teary eyed when Don trimmed the bottom branches because he thought his dad was hurting his tree. After the tree was done we decorated the rest of the living room- even Don got in on the action of hanging up lights. It was a great day and one of my favorite family traditions. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

My brother hosted Thanksgiving for the first time this year. We destroyed his house but the food was great! Don, Meg, David and I even ran a 5k around the neighborhood. It was a great, but very long day, tomorrow starts the Christmas season, hopefully we get some rest tonight so we can go full on Christmas decorating tomorrow. 

Audrey's Classroom Thanksgiving

Audrey's class had their Thanksgiving celebration that involved a whole bunch of crafts! There were enough parent volunteers to have lots of things going on in the class. I was in charge of Salt Dough Ornaments- which of course was the messiest but the most fun. There was also glass candle holders and papers turkeys. 

C2 Stone Soup Thanksgiving Feast

Ryan's class had their annual Stone Soup feast for Thanksgiving. On Tuesday they chopped up all of their vegetables and Wednesday they ate it (along with  a lot of other parent donated food). It was a great time and they all got to read from their journals what they are most thankful for. 

Ryan Fieldtrip to SchoolHouse of Wonder

I'm Going back to Work!

I got a job, like a real grown up job. It's kind of an overwhelming and anxiety producing change in life- but I feel good about it. At least at the moment. I start on Monday so I guess the real test will be how I feel after I know what it will actually be life. I am working at my old High School as their alumni coordinator.  It's part time and it has a finite length of the school year- my last day is May 31. I'm relieved by the existence of an end date- it lets me really explore how feasible it is for me to work at this point- and it lets me explore if this is the sort of job I would like to do.
It's a game changer for me- I haven't worked outside of the house apart from an off babysitting job for about 8 years. I have never had a responsibility that so much competes with my responsibilities as a parent. When you volunteer for things- your family is the clear winner in the competition of how time should be used. But when you are getting a paycheck the choice isn't as clear.
Since this opportunity came up out of the blue and I have other things that I am currently responsible for that I have to figure out how to get done. I am a co-room parent for Kenzie's class. I am the room parent in Audrey's class and I am in charge of parent communication in Ryan's class. I am also on the board of directors at my older two kids school. I am busy most of the time and I have just committed to 20 more hours a week. It will be an adjustment- but the schedule is flexible so I am confident I can work it out. I just hope that my sanity is not sacrificed for it.

There will be updates on this subject I am sure- well not sure because who knows if I will have the time but there will certainly be things to say!

Kenzie Class Photo

Here is Kenzie's first ever class photo. Sure she looks a little terrified by the process, but who wouldn't be? Her teachers Kristal (the one holding her) and Misty are great! We are so happy that she got into this class!

Trick or Treating

We went over to Christina's house to trick or treat- she ended up inviting what seemed like everyone she has ever meet to it was a great big party! Audrey lasted about 8 houses, Ryan was going strong and then all of a sudden she was done and Kenzie would still be trick or treating now if I didn't stop her- she discovered candy! 

Kenzie's Class Halloween

This was the one Halloween party I didn't make it to. Kenzie doesn't deal with me or Don coming and going so we skipped it. She got to hang out with her teachers which they told me later was a great choice because she was one of the few kids not crying when the parents left after the playtime.

Ryan's Class Halloween