Weeks in Review ~ 11/23 & 11/30

So another 2 weeks have come and gone...But, we're just busy enough, having fun, and doing well, so that's all that matters.

Last week I went to our state Kindergarten conference on Monday and Tuesday.  I left early Monday morning to get to Richmond on time and spent both days in lots of sessions that were mostly really good.  Sherri Sloane and Jack Hartmann were our morning speakers, and I attended several sessions with them as well.  Ned treated me to a night away, so I stayed where the conference was being held.  Monday night I shopped, had dinner at Panera, and was back in my comfortable clothes by 6 p.m.  I of course squeezed in some FaceTime too.  This was my first time away from home by myself since I had kids.

The rest of the week was normal, just very busy at school.  That Friday, we thought it would be a good decision to go out to eat.  We hadn't been out in several Fridays because I was more interested in picking something up and eating in.  We picked a restaurant we know to be slow, and as they sat the pizza on the table 40 minutes later I was on my way out the door with Sam.  He was not interested in eating and had gotten very upset when I took Avery to the bathroom.  He said he was ready to go home and I was happy to oblige.  Ned and Avery finished their dinner with Mimi and Vincent.

This past week was a busy holiday week.  Avery has been working hard at Bible Zone practicing her songs for the Christmas play.  I doubt she'll be using a wand there, though.

Avery's preschool had a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday at lunch.  I was unable to attend with it being a day before a holiday and since I'm trying to save days for Disney.  Ned went and had lunch with Avery, who was proudly in costume.

Ned was very willing to help decorate this year, so we did the Santas Tuesday night, set the trees up Wednesday night, and decorated them Thursday.  Last year I felt like I decorated all season, so I'm at least off to a better start.

We had our first Thanksgiving feast Wednesday night at Ned's parents' house.  Everyone behaved, no one was hurt, and nothing was broken, so it goes down as a win in my book.  On Thursday night we traveled to my dad's sister's house.  I was nervous that my mom would decide she didn't want to go since getting out and being around a lot of people still makes her uneasy.  They came though and we had a great, boisterous night.

Ned hunted most of the day Friday.  I got busy shopping via the Internet that morning and finished the Santa shopping.  We ventured out to the kids' Sunday School teacher's store for some bows and new garland.  I lost a few years off of my life trying to keep Avery still and navigate Sam's stroller in a very full little store.  Sam was also letting us know he wasn't having any fun.  Other than that, we stayed home and the kids played together very well.  I fed the kids early and Ned brought home Chinese for the two of us.

Saturday was a special day.  After Ned hunted in the morning, Mimi and her friend Nan came to keep Sam, and we took Avery to lunch at Panera and to see Frozen.  This was Avery's first theater experience, and she was just the right age.  She had lots of questions about the "commercials" (previews) but was pretty quiet through the movie unless there was something funny.

We got home about 5 p.m. and gathered up some odds and ends for dinner since I haven't been to the store.  Sam has a cough and congestion with a little fever.  I'm praying for a silent night.  We welcome December tomorrow, my most favorite month.  We have so much to look forward to, and while I do it with a little apprehension in my heart after last holiday season, I know there are wonderful things ahead....and what seems like less time to enjoy with the late Thanksgiving!  I'm being very intentional with my time this month so that I can enjoy every last minute.