Christmas - Cookies + Decorating

 It's typically tradition to set up the Christmas tree and decorate right after Thanksgiving.  Last year, I was ahead of schedule, completing it a week prior.  This year, back on track, though I think I prefer doing it earlier so it can be enjoyed longer!

Christmas is such a magical time of year, when we can be thankful for all that we have, eat more cookies than we should, watch a gazillion feel-good Hallmark movies and nostalgic shows on TV, and just... ENJOY.  Oh, and presents... shopping and finding the perfect presents for people!  

My strong sweetie Eric lugged boxes up and helped "fluff" the artificial tree limbs.   I set up the tree, strung the lights, and decorated.   Ramsey was my little helper, at my side, curious to do as much as possible to make the most gorgeous atmosphere ever!

Sidenote: We had to rearrange the furniture (majorly!) this year, due to now having a huge fish tank in the living room.  :-)

When we were done, we were all quite pleased with the outcome - a beautiful, magical tree, that sparkles and shines, giving warm and fuzzy feelings about a glorious time of year!

Ramsey is happily pointing to the tree, like "Look what we did!!"

The rest of the house is covered in greens and red poinsettias, ribbons, bows, and such.

And, our Ode to Jesus, with the nativity scene I found a few years ago.

And, what would the long weekend be without making Christmas cookies?!?!  Ramsey insisted on gingerbread, his new favorite.   With gingerbread... there's a beater he's happy and anxious to clean.

Ramsey didn't stick with just gingerbread men and women, he got out all kinds of cookie cutters.  He even dug out the dog bone and an airplane!  "Cuz... why not?!", he said.

After they were baked, I gave him the ol' piping bag.  He found that it's not quite as easy as it looks on baking shows on the Food Network!

Nonetheless, he was pleased with his handiwork.  And, it all tastes good, so....!

Puppy doesn't get any gingerbread.  Sorry, Jango.

Aaaand, a make-up-less selfie.  (Ugh!!)  HA!   Cuz... "oh well."  :-)   

We're making memories!  (Plus, I am loosening up in my old age.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

 After NOT being able to be with family for Thanksgiving last year, we looked forward to hosting this year's festivities and seeing everyone.    The weather looked to be ideal, with no forecasted snow or nastiness!  Score!

When Ramsey got home on Wednesday, we started prepping food for Thursday.  He learned how to peel potatoes and was my sous chef for a few hours, helping me make mashed potatoes ahead of time.

It wasn't easy for his little hands, but he kept working at it.  Frustrated at first, he got the hang of it and we worked well as a potato-peeling team.

On Thanksgiving Day, we were happy to see Nana Vicki and Bumpa, Uncle Cory, and Nana Karen.   Connor wasn't with us this year, as he went out west to be with his Mom, Kevin, and Bridger.  (We will see him for Christmas!!!)

When I asked Cory to "look at me" for a picture, he did.  But, I also asked him to "stop rocking".  Wrong choice of words, Kara!  ha!

It was so nice to be together - to be reminded of what (who!) the most important things are in life.

Nana had a broken tooth here (which will be fixed soon) - just sayin'.  LOL!  

At the end of the day, our tummies were full and our hearts were happy.   Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks for Friends

When it comes to gifts, I'm a giver...  I LOVE to make gifts, shop for perfect unique gifts...    I want Ramsey to grow up knowing the joys of giving rather than receiving.  I want him to know that euphoric feeling of internal happiness and bliss!

One day, Ramsey and I were talking at the kitchen table.  We were talking about "pop-its" (new fidget toys that all of the kids are bonkers for right now).   One of his buddies wanted a special pop-it and Ramsey wanted to buy him one.   I reminded him that if he wanted to buy a pop-it for one friend, what would his other friends think?  Would they be sad or feel left out?  Ramsey agreed, others might feel left out.  

So, Ramsey devised a plan to buy ALL of his classmates pop-it toys.  I was SO proud of his idea, but, admittedly, also thinking "this could get awfully expensive!".  ha!  He said he would do chores and use his own money to buy them for everyone.   So, between completing chores and using money he'd received from both Nanas and Bumpa (from Halloween), we ordered enough pop-its/fidgets for everyone.

Today, the kids got out at noon for Thanksgiving break.  But, before they did, Ramsey got up in front of his class and told them how thankful he was to have all of them.   Then, everyone got a pop-it... and their picture taken by Mrs. H.  

When Ramsey got home from school, he told me about his day.  He said that, after he gave the pop-its to his friends, his "heart felt happy".      He's learning.  And, I love that.  :-)

SOARing Student

 Each week, a child can receive the SOARing Student Award from the principal.  This week, Ramsey was the recipient; one of five children at the school who received the special award.  

When he got off the bus today, he was so excited to show us this special honor that Eric and I didn't even know existed at the school.

During the school year, when children do good things for others, do well in specific things at school, or are making great strides, classroom teachers "acknowledge" kids with "SOAR Slips".   SOAR stands for Safety Ownership Achieving Goals and Responsibility.    

It's Ramsey's personal goal to get as many SOAR slips as possible. He "collects" them.  He was extra pleased with himself after receiving this.    

GREAT JOB, BUDDY!!   

The Best Reading Nook

 We bought a new wingback reclining chair for the living room.  It came in two boxes (two very LARGE boxes).   And, we all know who love big boxes?  KIDS!

Ramsey figured it would be the PERFECT fort, so he filled it with pillows and a blanket.  He grabbed one of his Dog Man books, a flashlight, and he went to town, reading up a storm.  

Star Student

 Since early October, Ramsey has been chattering about trying to win the "Star Student" award for his class.  Each week, he says, "maybe THIS week I'll be Star Student!".  

Today, Ramsey received the honor Star Student for Mrs. H's second grade.  

When he came home, you'd think he won the lottery, he was so thrilled!

Of course, he wanted a picture of him with his award.  :-)

After the picture, he ran to his backpack, grabbed some papers, then found his markers and crayons, sat at the table, and went to work.

Never before had I seen him rush to do his homework or any assignment.  After he started chattering away at what he was working on, I understood why; it was his "In the Spotlight" poster.  The poster lets the child tell all about himself/herself, so the other kids in his class can learn more about their friend.

Highlights from the poster:

Something that makes me laugh is:  "My puppy being a weirdo."

A cool thing you probably don't know about me is: "I sneak cookies when I'm hungry."

After Ramsey completed his poster, he let me know that he needed some pictures to take to the classroom.   As part of the Star Student honor, the student's poster is hung in the front of the classroom, with pictures of their family and favorite things.

The next day in school, Ramsey got up in front of his class, told about his life, and answered questions.  According to Mrs. H, he hammed it up quite a bit as well, getting lots of laughs from his teacher and the other kids.  (I am curious as to what he told them!! Yikes!!!)  

This little guy was so proud of himself.   We're proud of him too!

Reading to Recess

In "my day", we had the "Book It!" club, where we read books to earn personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut.  Now, it's called "Reading to Recess".   

As an additional [optional] assignment, Ramsey has a quota of books he needs to read, outside of school, in order to earn an extra recess, plus the personal pan pizza. 

Not all of the kids completed the challenge, but those who did reap the rewards!  These are the kids who made the October quota. 

 It pleases me that Ramsey loves to read.  Right now, his favorites are the Dog Man series and Star Wars short stories.

Two Goofballs

 Not even much I need to say here... these little clowns are a couple of goofballs!  Love them!

Also, throwing in a "cute dog" picture.  This is Jango, as he hangs out in my office with me while I work.  It's either under my desk or on the daybed - those are the perfect spots.  Aww!

Cracking the Code

To say that we LOVE Ramsey's second grade teacher (Mrs. H) is one of the biggest understatements of the year!  This whole post could be gushing about what an AMAZING teacher she is - and how much Ramsey adores her too.

She sends parents messages and pictures periodically about what the kids are doing in school that day.  It's fun to see what they're doing and what kinds of creative things are filling their days.

On this particular day, they played a mystery game, using clues to find puzzle pieces.

We so appreciate Ramsey's teachers and all they do for these kids to make learning enjoyable!