February Fave Five #1

 

It is the end of the work week.  And yet my weekend appears to be just as busy as my week was~ ~ sigh~ ~

but....this is one of my favorite weekly memes. Actually it is just about the only weekly meme I regularly participate in!  It is compliments of Susanne from Living to Tell the Story.  The point of it is to write about, or show in pictures, or both, 5 favorite things that blessed us this past week.  I love doing this because it helps me to thank the Lord for them as I write about them.  I usually have many more faves from a week but the 5 I show usually top the list or are special in some significant way.  To play, simply head over to Susanne's.

This tart holder.  I received this as a Christmas gift from the teacher I work with.  He gave all of his staff these tart holders with soy beads.  The soy beads I received are nutmeg although they smell more like cinnamon, which I love for the winter months.  I have been admiring this in the morning sunshine that streams through our dining room window.  I also like the colors of the mosaic pieces on this holder.  It goes well with the colors of my dining room which is primarily Shaker style furniture.  The best thing about the tarts is that they are flame free!  And once they are melted, you can let them solidify and re-use it the next evening.  Believe it or not, the soy beads I have melted in the top of this, have been used 5 times thus far and the scent is still fairly strong.  The next time I melt it, I will pour it out once I am done and add fresh beads.  One of my fave things is to light the little tea candle in this holder during dinner and all through the evening, our home smells like a cinnamon stick.  A great way to end a busy day!

This adorable Valentine card.  My 11 year old, Claire, made this.  She had the current issue of American Girl magazine out last weekend and was reading an article about how to make homemade Valentines.  I bought her card stock in "girly" colors, some glittery heart stickers, ribbon, and glue.  She created this one for a friend at school.  This will be the last year that the classes exchange valentines. (in our district, the 6th graders don't exchange).  The "cupcake" slides in and out of the little pouch on the left.  She says she is only making hand-made cards for "special girl friends" and the boys get store bought ones! lol...the rule at the school is if a child is bringing in Valentine's there must be one for each student in the homeroom. Participating is optional. She has always participated.  It is "bitter-sweet" to me because this is her last year for this and she is my "baby".  She did a great job, didn't she?!

This free cosmetic bag and treats from Clinique!
On Thursday (my day to leave the classroom at 11 a.m.)
I had lunch at Panera's with a friend.
We then headed over to BonTon to purchase Clinique items.
I needed a new facial cleanser and foundation.
Because we spent over $20 we received this free gift!
There were all kind of little treats tucked inside.
My friend, Lynn, wanted my lipstick
and I wanted her free cleanser
...so we swapped!
The fave part for me? 
Spending 1 1/2 hours relaxing over lunch
and getting caught up on each other's families/lives/what God is teaching us
and then enjoying some time at the make-up counter.
It helps me get through the winter months!!

• The 6 year old boy I teach vocabulary to, READ ALL ON HIS OWN on Thursday a.m. at school!!

This little guy has been in our kindergarten class for 2 years (this is his 2nd year).  He has something called PVL which is similar to Cerebral Palsy.  He is 6 years old but developmentally he is more like a 3 year old, especially in the vocabulary and math components of learning.  The problem with PVL is that often the student cannot recall previously learned vocabulary.  Also, he tends to have trouble with his vision.  So....although he has been "practicing" sight words by repeating them after me, he is not really "reading" them. I print each sight word on a card and we keep his cards in a ziplock baggie in his special bin of activities that I use to work with him. He has never been able to read them. 

Well, Thursday a.m. he did!  Usually he will recall a word if I give him the sign for it (I use sign language a lot to reinforce new vocabulary words or to help teach English) or a verbal cue like the beginning sound or blend.  However, little D. "read" the words "snow", "the", "I" (yes, he still has trouble recalling the alphabet!), "big" and "little".  This is HUGE!  I wish I had it on video (altho I wouldn't be able to show you!)......I was "over the top" thrilled and this moment definitely makes my fave five list! 

• Cooking dinner for our Youth Pastor and his wife, followed by 2 rousing games of Clue. 

 What fun my family had last Saturday evening.  Our church has, on full-time staff, a fantastic Youth Pastor. He is from Indiana and has now been with us for one year.  I love his wife...she is an awesome lady! He is just amazing with teenagers...and loves all of them...from the 6th graders right on up through to the seniors!  

We enjoyed the evening meal together and then my daughters wanted to play a board game with them.  and they LOVE board games.....hoo-rah!  Claire chose Clue (she will be in the youth group beginning in the autumn as then she will be in 6th grade so it was good for her to get to know Rob and Jen).  We laughed, ate M&M's and this delicious banana-pineapple dessert that Jen brought over.  It was a wonderful time of food, fun, and fellowship....and that always makes my fave five list!

Oh...I have another one! another answer to prayer:  some friends of ours just found out that they can adopt a little boy! We are so excited for them and are thanking God for answers to prayer!!  that was also a fave moment!!

Your turn!

What is at least one fave thing, or fave moment, from your week??