Thankful for Kindness and Last Week Before Winter Break
Monday was Veteran's Day so Jack was invited to spend the night up in Big Bear with Alec and his family at their cabin. They worked on their star gazing science project, hiked, climbed on rocks, watched movies, and ate yummy food in the cozy cabin. He had an absolute blast and LOVED spending time with Alec. It was a little nerve wracking for Tanner and me because we'd never sent him on an overnight trip like that before. But he was perfectly happy and it was a wonderful couple of days.
Meanwhile, Tanner and I took the girls to the Kindness Carnival at Eastvale Community Park. For $10, the girls had full access to bounce houses, face painting. and games. They saw friends and had a great time. But the real reason we were there was because Rayleigh submitted an essay on kindness and was eligible to earn a scholarship. We waited all the way until the end of the night and listened for her name to be called. They announced about 15 "honorable mentions" and then said Rayleigh was the winner! She was sooooo excited and we are so proud of her! She won a $1,000 scholarship and of course, bragging rights. She wrote her essay about Mrs. Arce and it truly deserved the honors she received.
Monday was Veteran's and we met up at Disney with Angel. Things have been awkward between us and Luis didn't say 2 words to me. But despite all of that, we had a good time! The kids always love being together but this time was a little weird. It makes me sad but hopefully she can work out her issues with Luis and we can weather this storm. She wanted to get out families together for a "Friendsgiving" at our house and I felt super uncomfortable with that but decided it was the right thing to do. But when she told me the only way she got Luis to agree to go was that I would be taking their family pictures and if he didn't come he wouldn't be in them, I was realllly not feeling good about it. Luckily, Tanner decided to attend a work conference and we had to dissolve the friends-giving plan.
The kids did super well on their Science Fair Projects and got them turned in on time after lots of hard work. I'm so proud of them!
Friday night I had a date with Shelley in Pasadena. We shopped at Home Goods to get a big group gift for Jessica and Kyle's wedding. Everyone sent me money and I was able to put the gift together which was so fun! We got our nails done and grabbed dinner at El Torito. It was such a great night and we talked and talked. I love my time with my beautiful cousin!!!
Saturday started Soccer Playoffs for Jack. It's so fun to watch him play and his team is doing so well! Jack really loved soccer and it's fun for Tanner and I to sit at the games and have some time to talk and connect. That evening we attended Jessica and Kyle's Wedding. We were a little late and missed the ceremony but being with Tanner's old North American gang was fun and it was so good to see everyone. Jeremy had all the boys sit at one table and the girls sit at another which was so cute. The dinner was delicious and the wedding was executed to perfection. Jessica looked absolutely gorgeous. We danced and felt all the love and joy of this special day. It was a nice evening.
We finally made it to the last week of school and it was a good one!
Parker stayed up all night for a few nights putting lights on Gavin's car and it looks epic! He also had to block Kaelyn and Natalie on social media and Jill and Courtney were all upset with me and it was this whole huge drama fest. Thankfully, Parker was just setting some healthy boundaries with the girls (who were upsetting him with some of the things they were saying) and I can't really get mad at him for that! But Gavin took it a little too far and said some hurtful things to Kaelyn and Jill got really mad. Gavin apologized but we've yet to hear an apology from the girls...
The kids finally started Piano Lessons and they are doing well so far! Monday was crazy because I got the kids to school/worked, went straight to a Botox appointment (yay!), and then straight back to pick up the kids. In a moment of brilliance, I started a pot roast Sunday night so we all sat down to eat it after school on Monday. We had about 30 minutes before we had to head over to their first piano lesson. Luckily, Danja let me run home to clean up the kitchen during their lessons. I picked them up at 5:30, brought them home, and then headed straight back out for Ella's cheer. It was really sweet to sit and chat with Sophia's mom. She said Sophia has been asking about Jesus and she just doesn't have the answers. I've been praying for an opportunity to share my testimony with her. But it makes me happy to know she felt comfortable confiding in me in that way. At last, we were all home, got ready for bed, read, and then I put everyone to bed. Whew.
Tuesday was fun because I stayed all day to help with buddies (Rayleigh and her buddy had a candy exchange), and help in Ella's class Thanksgiving party. Tanner called me earlier that day and was so sick and worried about how he was feeling. He came home the next day and was fine so... man cold??? I don't know but he was knocked out all day. Thankfully he was in a nice, clean hotel room. I took Jack to his playoff game and he was so great! It was intense and I loved watching him play! I also ran to my doctor to get a referral to see the dermatologist about this spot on my leg.... never a dull moment!
Wednesday was a super fun day! Rayleigh was recognized in front of the entire school for her winning essay on kindness. The principal read it and I had so many people come and congratulate me. Her old speech teacher, Christy, had tears in her eyes. She also got to participate in the Minute to Win It game AND the counselor chose Ray's question for the buddy-talk topic! I hope Rayleigh know how extraordinary she is. She is going to change the world! After school, she was a little sad because she thought her friends would totally admire her and be extra nice to her. But they went hard on her during 4 square and when I picked her up, she was standing with her teacher crying. But, we hosted the Activity Days Friendsgiving Feast and she was so happy! She laughed so hard she couldn't breath which is my favorite. Tanner was home so he could help me but it was so fun! The kids were so cute and we truly had a wonderful feast! That night was another playoff game for Jack but they lost.
Thursday was a little crazy with work/school. Kindergarten has a Thanksgiving Feast and all the kids brought their favorite dish. We had Indian food, African food, Chinese food, and much much more! It was awesome! I then went straight to the chiropractor and then straight to Home Goods to get blankets for some of my coworkers. I didn't want to leave it all to the last minute but I really had no idea what to do and was trying to hard to keep it cheap and simple. But I feel good about what I did for Colleen and Ellie (who's been instrumental in helping me be successful this year), Rayleigh's long term sub who's been so sweet, Ella's amazing teacher, the school counselor who's truly an angel, and Dr, D. We had a combined MCO Rehearsal in Laguna and it was so great! I directed traffic which was a HUGE job but I made friends with another mom and was grateful I had the energy and stamina to do it. We can't wait for the concerts!
Friday was the Last Day of School and it was so fun! We delivered all of our gifts, I had to go around C track and sell principal's recess snacks for kindergarten, sub for a half an hour in another class (but got a free lunch!) and help my kids with lego trains. Mrs. Kliss was chatty which was fun since she keep an extremely tight boundary with me and we never get personal with each other. I'm going to miss my kiddos while we are gone! They are a fun group and I genuinely love spending time with them. Rayleigh, Jack, and Ella are so excited to be off, too! Jack is anxious to see Alec and his friends. Ella has to work on her reading and math skills. Rayleigh is growing up and taking on. more and more responsibilities at home and I love that for her. We are aiming for a cozy break and a happy new year so that's what we are going to do!
But guys, guess what?!?!? Tanner came to Disneyland with us! We got out of school early on Friday and had plans to go to Disneyland and feel all of the Christmas vibes (our passes are blocked all of December). Last Christmas, one of Tanner's "gifts" to me was to go with me to Disney and he never did. So I convinced him to come with us! We had the BEST time! We got lucky on lots of rides, it was Christmasy everywhere, we had dinner at Pizza Planet and then scored on Space Mountain because it had been shut down and opened when we were right there ready to go. We watched Fantasmic and the Christmas fireworks (which made me cry- again). There was fake snow and happy memories were made! We all got Starbucks on our way out and it was a super fun day. Totally worth it! Tanner still says he'd rather do literally ANYTHING else in the world than go to Disneyland but it made ME so happy to have him there and now we are good for the next several years.
We kicked off Christmas break with gusto and I'm thrilled to have 6 weeks to spend with my family.
Let the holiday season begin!
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