Holy Week Faves

I'm officially on Spring Break!! I don't go back to work until April 9!

Here in NYS most of the public and private schools are closed today to observe Good Friday and almost all of them are closed all next week for Spring Break.  I'm thankful we are closed today at the prek agency because it means my husband and I can travel to NH to see our daughter perform tonight in the UNH Ballet Company Spring Show.  We are very excited.

For now, let's share some blessings from the past week.  We're sharing FIVE FAVES and linking up at Susanne's site.

Trail leading into Hannacroix Creek Preserve

• FIRST SPRING HIKE! Saturday morning hike.  First one since early November.  Joined my friends Kathy and Cindy for a great morning work-out.  Very easy trail. Sunny. Blue skies, and temps in the high 40s.  We are thankful that the hiking season has begun. It was gorgeous and we were the only hikers in the preserve!

sunny spot

Cold, crystal clear waterfalls

a bit of history

part of the old foundation of the paper mill

Kathy, me, Cindy

• HUBBY's HELP!  This is huge for me.  Dave surprised me one evening by folding laundry.  Huge help. This working woman is tired in the evenings and I am thankful for the help with chores.  Doesn't always happen. Am thankful when it does and yes, I told him so.

me with my long time friend and sister -in-Christ, Diane

• BRUNCH!  Sunday early afternoon.  Time of fellowship and catching up. (we hadn't been able to get together since last August!)  Long time childhood friend. Sister in Christ.  Prayer partner. Helpful shopper...she helped me pick out two cute spring shirts.  Super thankful for her.

Claire's Easter Basket

• EASTER TREATS: I stop giving my daughters Easter baskets when they turn 20.  Since Claire is only 19, this will be her last Easter basket.  Of course it's filled with all vegan snacks.  It was fun to put  together and most of the items were on sale!  She will be surprised with it tonight when we see her after the Dance Company show.  I'm thankful that even though she can't come home for Easter, we can see her.

the play scheme for my pre-reading group

our reading group rules.

• READING GROUP!  Although I'm only an assistant Special Education teacher these days, (and thankful not to ever have to assess, write IEPs or conduct Annual reviews anymore!), I have been given free rein to run a pre-reading group.  I have 4 students in group.  I also have 4 different students in a cognitive/academic group that I run every morning.  The reading group is fun and we now have some established rules, a sticker chart for following the rules and we have completed our first book.  The children were so happy at the end of group yesterday because I let them set up a play scheme using the animals and the big red barn.  And we also watched a short video of real farm animals.  I love my job and am so thankful to be at this agency.

That wraps up my faves.

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!