Dec - Awards & Concerts

Administration at my school picked me to be the City's Teacher of the Month for Dec.  My school is only recognized by the city once per year so it was a nice honor.  My award was presented at the City's council meeting.  Here my principal is talking about me with another council member and the mayor.

He said some really nice things about me, but my favorite didn't have anything to do with teaching.  He talked about how my kids attend our school and that they are model children so that speaks volumes about me as a mother.  Awww!

Here's a picture from afterward.  They presented awards for police officers and fire fighters before me and the mayor called teachers super hereos so my kids were pretty excited for me.  :)

One of my besties, and Jace's Kindergarten teacher, brought me the flowers.  I also received the award, a gift certificate, and a little swag bag with some city items.  It was very nice!

The next night was Rylee's choir concert.  She had already had two morning performances at the school. On the second morning performance, a kid puked during the show.  The music teacher just had the kids slide down a little and keep performing.  They didn't even come and mop it up!  Rylee and her friends were very close to the vomit which is important to know for another story for another blog.  

But I digress... the night concert went off without a vomit, I mean hitch, and if we wouldn't have been sitting by the loudest, rudest people on the planet, I would have enjoyed myself immensely.  As it was, I was mostly filled with rage.  Grrr!  

The whole night was kind of weird.  We got there early to get good seats, but then they made us stand outside for 40 minutes and opened the doors 2 minutes before the show started.  Of course, all the late people shoved to the front and some people ran through the bushes to beat people to the door.  Needless to say, we didn't have the best seats.  

My Dad had gone to the emergency room that night, but we didn't tell Rylee.  My mom came to the concert and then went to the ER afterwards.  He had been sick and feverish for a few days, but at first we thought it was the flu.  When his bad leg was swollen and hurting, he went in to have it checked out.  Turns out he had an infection.  They ended up keeping him for a few days.  They're actually worried his hardware might be poisoning him and causing the infection.  He just had an MRI after Christmas so we're still waiting for results.  He isn't able to walk much, let alone bike, or do other fun things.  We love you and hope you get better soon Papa!

Anywhoo, back to the concert.  Rylee looked beautiful!  She had a nice speaking part to open the show for the 4th and 5th grade choir: "If you have ever dreamt of building a snowman, making snowballs, or drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter's day, then listen to our first song called "Winter Fun."  It'll get you into a festive mood!"  

Between the bad seats and the lighting, I don't really have any pictures during the show, but here are some cute ones from after.

With the music teacher...

Just the girls...

With Nico and the siblings (minus Maddan's little sister Malone)...

The parents decided to pose for one as well!

It was a lovely night despite everything.  Lol!  :)

Dec Recap - Christmas Trees

I can't believe Dec is almost over. 

I can't believe I'm blogging about Dec and it's still Dec - I'm impressing myself right now. :)

We kicked off the month with Rylee's awards ceremony.  She was recognized for A/B honor roll, but I want to recognize her for all her hard work.  She does 2-3 hours of homework a night  in her AP class plus weekends and never complains.  She's an amazing role model for Jace who comes home and completes his AP work independently because he see's his big sister doing it.  Way to go, girl!

The first Saturday, we went to an adorable little historic museum that felt like it could have been in Crosby.  Grandma Elsie would have loved it.  The kids got to sit on Fireman Santa's lap.

At Christmastime, the whole museum is decorated with different themed Christmas trees.  Our friends go every year and get their picture taken in front of their favorite tree.  We've decided to adopt the tradition.  Jace's favorite was the transportation tree.

Rylee picked the heritage tree since it had a Swedish flag.

Jon picked this traditional flocked tree since it reminded him of MN snow.

My cell phone pics were never good, but I got a new (old) phone a while back and I think they are even worse now.  Look at the color on my photo above and then look at the color on my friend's phone below.  I need an upgrade for my birthday.  Hint, hint.  :)

My favorite tree, in honor of Grandma Elsie, was the Girl Scout tree. :)

The museum also decorates 3 small trees with possible themes for next year.  The kids and I all voted for the Harry Potter tree.  Here's hoping it won and we'll see it next year!

I'm ruining this picture with half blinking eyes, but this was the best one of the bunch.  

The kids got wooden toys from Santa's workshop.  Rylee, the crafter, painted hers and gave it a face and hair.  Her name is Clara.

We are so thankful to Maddan and her family for taking us on this special outing.  Sadly, they are moving to California, but we vowed to continue this tradition in their honor.  We'll bring them along on FaceTime next year.  :)

Nov- Thanksgiving

We had a small Thanksgiving this year.  Gaga made pretty much everything (thank you Gaga!) 

and we spent the day at the condo.  We played some games, watched football, and ate delicious food.  The kids in their Thanksgiving hats.  Rylee made hers new this year.  Jace used an old one.  He is a turkey and he loved the turkey!  Lol!

Jace had his award ceremony at the end of the month.  He won a Panther Pride award...

...along with his friend Oliver.

Congrats to these cuties!

Nov Recap - iFly

Both kids are home from school with fevers so I am taking a rare day off work.  Right now everyone is resting in front of the TV so I thought I would get some blogging in before I was needed again.
Good news: Jace learned he likes taking his medicine mixed with 7Up and Rylee learned to swallow pills so it's going better than expected in that department.  Back to Nov...

We had a military appreciation day.  The kids got to hang out with Josephine that morning.  Her mom doesn't teach 2nd grade anymore, so the kids only get to hang out occasionally (usually Friday mornings).

Here is Jace waving his flag and waiting for the parade of military families.

Jace also lost his 2nd tooth.  His first tooth that fell out was on the bottom.  Then he lost the top on the opposite side.  We've still yet to witness him losing a tooth.  The first one fell out in the bathtub when no one was around and this one fell out at JCC (aftercare).  When I went to pick Jace up about 10 kids told me he lost a tooth before I made my way over to him.  Lol!

He still looks cute above, but he's definitely in full on snaggletooth mode now.  The other top tooth is super long and crooked.  And the bottom one should fall out any day.  It's literally hanging on by a thread.  :)

Rylee has been taking golf lessons and she and Jon have golfed together a few times.  This is from one of their outings.

The kids have gotten to stay overnight at my parent's 2 or 3 times this year already.  They usually stay over on early release and planning days.  Gaga is teaching Rylee to cook when she's there.  This night, Rylee made taco pockets and taco eggrolls.

Even picky Jace ate them so you know she did a good job!  :)

Rylee also got to go to an amazing birthday party in November.  Her bestie, Emily, has her party at iFly, an indoor skydiving place.  (Jace had a dentist appt so that's why he and I are absent).

Rylee was ready to go!

I have great video of her flights, but here is a photo.  

She loved it and she's getting more fly time for Christmas!  Jace and I can't wait go watch this time.

Oct - Trick or Treat!

After school Gaga and Papa came over to visit and see the kids get ready for trick or treating.  Did I get a picture of them?  No.  I've got to do a better job of getting pictures of the kids with my parents and with Jon and I.  Pre-New Year's Resolution!

Rylee had colored face gems for trick or treating...

The adorable...

...and victorious Harry Potter!

That night, we started our rounds with a visit with Ray and Jeanette down the block.

Then my friend, Jessica, and her family drove over to our neighborhood for trick or treating.  This is our 2nd year having them with us and it's really fun.  Here is a blurry cell phone pic with her boys before we started out.

This year we added Susie and her mom and dad to our party too.  It was a great addition and Rylee liked having a friend to trick or treat besides all the boys!  

Susie and Rylee have become great friends this year.  Her mom lives in our neighborhood and is a teacher on my team at school.  Rylee goes to her classroom after school every day and she and Susie do their homework together (they're both in 4th grade) or play if it's a Friday.  I adore Susie too since she was in my class 2 years ago!  And Jon knows Susie's parents - he was the dive master when they got certified years ago.  Small world even in FL!

Anyway, trick or treating was a blast.  We started out around 6:45 and made a loop of our community.  We are back by 8:00 ish and after the kids sorted their candy and settled down, they were in bed by 9:00.  Only half an hour past bedtime - I consider that a success!

Halloween 2018 is a wrap!

Oct - More Pre-Halloween Pics

I found a couple more from Marlee's party night on my real camera.  I forgot that I occasionally drag it out for a photo too.

This one shows Jace's Firebolt (broom).

Rylee's wings look so pretty in the light.

A closeup of her headband and hair for that night.  :)

So I mentioned there were several Halloween activities.  The next up was Boo Bingo at the school.

Rylee with besties: Maddan and Emily (plus siblings lol!)

The rest of our boo bingo buddies...

A closeup of Rylee's wig and face jewelry for that night.

The next night (Halloween Eve) was pumpkin carving.  Jace promised Rylee he would touch the pumpkin guts...

"Come on, Jace, get in there like a man!"

Luckily, Rylee was game to do the work herself.  :)

With their finished creations: Harry Potter and a Halloween cat.

Maybe it's Crookshanks? (Hermoines's cat)  I never asked!

Which brings us to Halloween,  The kids were allowed to dress up at school.  Rylee wore her Hermoine costume since she didn't think her wings would be the most convenient at school.  :/

You can also see the Harry Potter wreath we made at Amy's party a few weeks back.  

It hangs on Rylee's bedroom door.

I spent a lot of time on Rylee's hair and makeup/face jewelry for her fairy costume, but I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't think about Jace.  But that morning he asked if he could have a scar.  Duh? Why hadn't I thought of that!  Good one, Jace!  An eyebrow pencil and voila!

Rylee with her pumpkin project for school.  She had to decorate it to look like her favorite character from "The Lighting Thief."  She chose Annabeth.  I found a tutorial online to make the paper hat.  It was very impressive!