Festiveness!

We've enjoyed our fun festivities this week. It's been a marathon run to the end of school and I'm happy to report we are now out for Winter Break. Yay! Goody has been extra excited about break....

Earlier this week we had the blessing of watching Caroline and Jonathan for the evening while Ashley grabbed John from the Charlotte airport. They were here for Rudolph pancakes, one of our favorite Christmas traditions. I just love hanging out with those Powell kiddos!

The girls also had lots of fun activities in their classrooms this week. I was so glad to be done with school so I could lend a hand. I'm beginning to see middle school won't be as much hands-on time, so I'm soaking up the time with Anna's class especially. After picking up all the supplies for their gingerbread houses, I was able to participate as a "shop keeper." They all had budgets and materials cost certain amounts. It was fun to see their creations although I think the supplies went in into their mouths as much as on the structures.

Next up was Paige's cookie decorating party. Same concept, but with cookies this time and much lower budgets to keep track of. I made 6 dozen sugar cookies for them and had some leftover so Anna's class got another couple dozen.

The cookie party took place on Friday morning which was also the same day as Anna's pancake brunch. So I just hopped back and forth between classes to help each as they needed. I'm glad their classrooms are only a few steps from each other! Seeing both girls with their friends and in their school environment reminded me how fortunate we are to have found a wonderful home away from home. They truly love their school, peers, teachers and learning.

After our half day of school, I invited a few of the girls close friends over for the afternoon. They giggled, crafted, played, snacked and enjoyed the company. I was even able to get a few things done around the house!

Yay for winter break! Also check out these horse pictures Paige drew. Her art talent always amazes me!

Running and stuff

This weekend was jam packed with fun activities. Several of our things got rained out the weekend before so this was the make-up time and we squeezed them all in!

First up, the Harborside Lights 5K. While this is traditionally done at night, they had to move it to this Saturday morning so it was really just Harborside 5K, no lights. Anna has always done well in this race and Paige signed up for the Fun Run. I thought it would be a little warmer, but the temps seemed to drop a couple of degrees when we go there. Fortunately, we could hang out in a nearby lobby before the races started. Paige was up first and her competition was one 5 year old boy. Ha! Not many people wanted to come out on a cool, wet morning. She enjoyed her little half mile loops and did it in 4 minutes. I'm not sure the race person who was helping with the event thought she would be going that fast! Nonetheless, Paige was happy she "won." Patrick used it as a warm-up for Anna's race.

The 5K finally got ready to roll and we were hopeful the rain would hold off. I'm sad to say about half way through the skies let out! There definitely weren't a lot of people out there, but we were excited by one girl Anna recognized from her school last year. She's a 6th grader at another school now, but it turns out they are running about the same times so Patrick was able to help keep an eye on her during the race, while her mom and I cheered at the finish line. Patrick is hoping to start a little girls runner club in the spring so I was quick to invite this friend and I think she's going to join us! The two of them came in 3rd and 4th females overall and each won their age division. Even Patrick won his age division. Anna had a PR of 23:40 which earned her another mug and now we have a family set. Ha!

We quickly came home to warm up some cold kiddos with showers, hot chocolate and a fireplace rest nest. I took Paige to a friend's birthday party at the movies where she was able to stay while I did some shopping for the class Christmas gift. This was really the first time I have dropped her at a party and not stayed. I could tell she was a bit apprehensive, but her best buddies were there and a good friend of ours promised to keep an eye out for her. She had fun and I was productive!

To end the day, we wrapped up with another race! No I am not kidding! Our neighborhood holds an annual Jingle Jog which is a mile run around our neighborhood loop. I told the girls they could just walk or jog slowly, but that didn't stop Anna who full out ran. Paige was not to be left behind so she ran the thing too and came over the finish line in tears due to cramping. But she wasn't going to not run! Let's just say they were tired girls.

Sunday was a little bit of a sad day, especially for our tender-hearted Paige. We found out the night before that Via, the class hamster, suddenly died. I had to tell Paige and she was teary most of the day. Her attachment to Via was strong and we had a chance to bring her home 3 times this semester. Reacting to the news, Paige wore black to church, including her socks, and tearfully admitted to others that she was "devastated" and "in mourning." It was a little funny, but we made sure to keep our faces straight. The sight of her curled up in Anna's lap on a bench sobbing which Anna just nodded her head and stroked her back was enough to bring me to tears. I've been praying for her class today at school because I know they will all have a tough time.

Sunday was not all tears. Anna and I did our Bible study group and I am happy to say we will be rolling this model out to all kids in our church. So exciting! I also helped in the elementary program at the last minute which was sweet. After church we headed to our local town's Christmas parade to enjoy a beautiful day and wave as folks passed by.

That evening Paige and I laid low while Anna and Patrick went to a basketball Christmas party. Anna was sweet to collect some little gifts for Paige to make her feel better. This unicorn mask was right up her alley. And that ended the busy, but festive weekend!

Christmas Lights!

We always try to get to the Christmas Lights at the Riverbanks Zoo each year. Well, with my foot still acting up a bit, we decided to change it up and do the drive through lights at Saluda Shoals on Thursday night. I made some pistachio cookies while the girls grabbed their blankets and dressed in comfy clothes. We listened to Christmas music on the radio while ohhing and ahhing at the lights. There's one section you can get out and walk which was fun, but other than that we drove through the long stretch of lit up figures and scenes. It was a fun and festive evening!

Middle School searching

The past couple of weeks have begun a new journey in our house, whether I was ready or not. Our school district offers the opportunity to attend magnet schools and choice into different schools based on your preference and an application. This means we can consider other schools outside of our zoned schools and is actually how we ended up at their current school.

A couple of weeks ago the district hosted a Choice Fair which was an opportunity for us to go around to different tables and see what programs were available. We crossed several off our list for various reasons and settled on a few magnet programs in addition to our zoned school. It was an overwhelming evening for all of us, especially Anna who was confronted with the fact she won't be at her beloved elementary school next year and we had some decisions to make about where she would go.

This past week, I signed her up to shadow a middle school student for a day at one of our top choice magnet schools. She was very reluctant and fearful about going, but we talked and prayed through it. The next day I picked her up and her demeanor was completely different. She was so glad I made her go and learned a lot about what middle school would be like. Also, she really liked the magnet program, teachers and students there. So there's one at the top of our list.

Next we toured two other schools this week which provided a different perspective, but helped us gather information nonetheless. We were able to cross one off our list completely and then get a good feel for our zoned school which is still very much in the running, especially based on logistics. I have to drive both girls to school if they are in a magnet program where as we have options for transportation with our zoned school.

While we are still very much in the process of deciding, it has been a challenging and refining process. Mainly I am glad for the opportunity to walk with Anna through the process of making a tough choice, relying on God to reveal His plan, praying through our fear and working as a team to make this decision together. It felt very strange to have a middle schooler for a day and I won't lie...I was a little apprehensive myself. But I also know, next year will be a new normal for all of us AND God has good things for us even when we leave a great thing. (I mean DC taught us that!) I also have to laugh when our tour guides listen to my questions which are probably not their normal questions. I mean having two educators in the family means we have a bit of a different perspective!

Next steps: we apply for a magnet if that's what we choose to do in January. Anna has to go interview, do a group activity and provide a writing sample in February for the application process. We find out in March if she is accepted and then we make our decision. I think I am ready to mentally take a break from this until the holidays are over. Talk about decision fatigue not to mention having to schedule tours/shadowing in the middle of a crazy season!

Passing of the Cans

I am happy to report my foot is slowly improving. Meanwhile, time marches on and activities wait for no mom with a hurt foot. The girls had their annual Passing of the Cans even at school. The 250 kids brought in 2, 318 cans to donate to Harvest Hope. We line the kids up in the hallways and pass about a quarter of the cans down the line, one student at a time. Anna, being a 5th grader, helped manage and promote the event. They also sit with their kindergarten buddies to help them out. I swear, this whole 5th grade thing is throwing me for a loop because her class essentially runs the school now! It's a fun time had be all kids and parents. I was there taking pictures and celebrating too.

After the event, I joined Paige's class for a combined class sing-along. They are so cute and really know their music. 

Later that evening, we joined our church out at the Pavilion for an Advent Gathering. It was chilly outside, but just right around the fires and heaters. Everybody brought yummy food. The girls ran around in the field with glow sticks and we got a chance to catch up with new and old friends. At the end, Anna said, "I ate too much and I'm tired. It was a good night!"