2023, December 4-10

We have met the winter chill with resolve. We still need more snow, snow, snow (thanks to Breagh Isabel for the music)! 

Can you tell how many deer are hidden in the brush in the picture below? The girls rolled their eyes when Hallie had to take more pictures of deer.

Fergus has adopted Mike's lap blanket as his own. 

Doesn't matter who (if anyone) is using it, he'll eventually lie down on it. 

And he'll sit on Mike's lap by itself if Mike sits down. He seems to miss having Mike around. 

Grandma O sent Kai this sweater, and when the doggo came back this week, he even wore it! Pics to follow. P.S. It is from Hallie's favorite grocery store.

 

Looks like Mike caught his first bit of sniffles from the littles he's teaching despite taking precautions. He's been making a Starbucks-inspired "medicine ball" tea blend with honey and lemonade, all toasty warm to soothe his throat. 

The cold weather has brought interesting effects on the vehicles. One morning, Mike came out to steam evaporating off the car in the morning sun. The photo doesn't capture the moment very well. 

Mike continues to get reacquainted with local friends and neighbors as he goes to different schools. This week, he went to one school where a mom we knew from gymnastics was another sub and to another where our next door neighbor works as a speech therapist. One of the kids at one of the schools caught him on camera when they both were making silly faces. He's been enjoying the work while continuing to hunt for something more permanent.

 

Helping out with the kids in Special Ed sometimes means play time in the sensory room. 

Hallie and Priscilla went white elephant shopping, and they found some cool Hello Kitty-themed items. 

Here is Hallie leaving with Landon at the crack of dawn to go get Dutch Bros. Landon was only five minutes late for school. Hallie got a sticker to prove they had gone.

And finally we have the promised pictures of Kai in his sweater.  Isn't he adorable?! ALDI should pay him an endorsement fee. 

One of the 5th graders he helped gave Mike this picture. Thanks, dude! 

Hallie and Eliza joined Gma and Gpa M at the high school for the annual holiday concert choir concert. Hallie knows a number of kids from school who sing there. 

Here are Mom and Landon up late at night after sick Mike and healthy but young Eliza went to bed after Landon spent the afternoon and evening trying to do homework. Landon seems to come alive after 10:00 pm.

On Saturday Hallie went to an extended family Christmas party with relatives from all over the area. Hallie hadn't seen some of these relatives in over 30 years. Hallie had a really nice time. Grateful to everyone's kindness and generosity at the party.  

We spent a quiet Sunday at home wrapping presents, listening to music, watching Christmas movies, and visiting with family. It's been a bit of a struggle to get into the festivities of the season, but we take it one day at a time and try to remember the herald angels' promise of "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men."