Mid-January Faves

We haven't had snow since early December and I'm actually so ok with that although that might be changing come tomorrow.......

while I'm excited it's a long 3-day weekend, I'm not super excited that it's getting colder again with the possibility of snow but then again it IS winter!

I'm sharing FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the week......and then linking up to join with others who do this.  Susanne is our gracious host.

FIVE FAVES

• THE STUDENTS:  Here's what I shared on Facebook.  Friday was just a super special day at work.  So thankful:

This day was probably one of the best days in our classroom that we've had in the last few months. It was one of those days where the children were all engaged in play( which is their work, remember, because they are preschoolers). It was a day where some children who often have difficulty, did not. It was a day where we worked well as a team and "rolled with it" when one of us decided to just randomly move the furniture around. ( not me!) As i observed from an area where the children couldn't really see me, I saw every.single.child ( there were 9) engaged in either parallel play or associative play and even some cooperative play! Sharing was happening and continues to be a challenge for some but today i heard words!! I heard "here, your turn". I heard "come on, let's do it!" Some of us played a board game and no some of them didn't verbalize, but they communicated in other ways. In positive ways! Yes, we have MANY days of three steps forward and two steps back, but today was not one of those days. I'm beyond thrilled to be a part of these precious preschoolers lives and to be with the team we have. It was a day where we had fun and where learning occurred while doing the very important job of playing. My heart will treasure this day. #childsplayiswork #specialEdpreK #luvmyjob

image courtesy of allover Albany

• SMALL GROUP BRUNCH!  I had 6 women in the small group I lead (autumn semester) and only 3 of us could attend the brunch we scheduled for this past Saturday. We ate spinach  frittatas and sweet scones (black cherry) at this place pictured above. It's right on the edge of town near the airport.  We all shared a pot of the honey chai tea (new to me...it was delicious!) and really enjoyed getting to know one another a bit more in a social setting.  I'm thankful for these ladies and one is turning into a very good friend who loves to hike when she can with me!  She also recently accepted an aide job in the classroom down the hall from me and helps our classroom out from time to time. I'm so thankful for our continuing friendship.  

• HELP! Dave had a training to go to on Saturday for the youth group he helps mentor, so Courtney and I decided to tackle some cleaning jobs. We started in the master bedroom...she helped me thoroughly dust, vacuum, and re-arrange the furniture.  It was wonderful to have her help as I can' t move the bed and Dave's dresser or bookshelf by my self any longer.  My dresser is forced to stay where it is but the whole room looks fantastic.  Sadly, I didn't think to snap a pic. I'm so thankful she gave up part of her Saturday afternoon to help with this project.

Courtney at the start of the trail
Ushers Road State Forest
12 January 2020

pine and leaf strewn trail through hemlock, pines
 and ferns

• SUNDAY AFTERNOON HIKE:  Saturday saw temps in the low 60s!!  It was glorious.  Sunday started out sunny and warm but by the time church was over around 12:15, the temps were starting to go back into the high 30s.  Courtney had said it was good weather to take a walk in the woods (I was shocked!  This is the oldest daughter...the one who said she was never gonna hike again at age 14 on our last camping trip...and never did....until recently) Anyways, I asked her if she wanted to check out a new-to-me trail about 15 minutes north of our home.  It's smack dab in suburbia and yet is this pretty patch of state forest with a blazed trail that goes through a wetlands and over a small creek.  The clouds were starting to come out and cover the sun so we made fast work of the 1.4 mile loop.  It was a wonderful afternoon to get in a nice hiking work-out followed by lattes from St*rbucks. This makes 2 completed hikes for my 2020 goal of "hike 10 new to me trails before June".  I'm thankful my daughter suggested this.

over the creek just past the wetlands

the little creek that cuts through the state forest

tall pines along the trail

Courtney hikes the end of the loop looking for the next blaze....
...this part wasn't well marked...do you spy the blaze??

• SAFE TRAVELS!  Our youngest, Claire, left Thursday morning to drive back to New Hampshire.  The university won't let anyone move back in to their dorms until Sunday morning so she's crashing for a few nights in her friend's apartment outside of  town. I can't believe she's starting her 2nd semester of junior year! Claire's moving into her own dorm room as she and her two roomies had a chance to all have their own rooms, so the three of them will be very busy on Sunday morning! I'm thankful she arrived in NH safely and that she had a nice sunny day to drive up.

What made you thankful this past week?? 

Whatever you have planned for the weekend, I hope you find it a relaxing one.