And We Made It To Advent

 And just like that, it's Advent. Which, logically makes sense. But in all seriousness, it's strange. Since Lent came in with a global pandemic and everything has felt a little topsy turvy, it seems a little bit weird to be to Advent already. 

We decorated for Christmas on Friday. It was a lovely experience. Our decorations may not be the most exciting but they're ours and we are happy with them. 

The weekend was just all around, calm and lovely. I'll tell you, weekends are the most wonderful now that I am working. Perspective is just so wonderful. 

Thanksgiving Was Good

Thanksgiving here was low key but good all the same. Honestly, yesterday looked much the same as every other Thanksgiving for us, we never go anywhere. The strange part was we made traditional menu items instead of our typical whatever we want options. 

The day started with our mandatory pajama party viewing of the parade. We also had our monkey break because we love traditions. Honestly, I thought the parade wasn't all that different than normal... bright spots. 

We put our turkey in the rotisserie and it turned out just as delicious as usual. We honestly don't do anything but add a little bit of Canadian Chicken Seasoning and Lawrys Seasoned Salt before sticking it in. It just cooks in it's own juices and is really good! (And I don't like turkey typically!) 

We also got a special treat my parents sent. There is a chocolate shop in their town that makes the most delicious orange gel sticks. They sent us some as a Thanksgiving treat. 

We enjoyed the day and are very thankful for our health and happiness. 

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

We are coming in hot to Thanksgiving break. So far so good with staying in school. Our numbers at school have been very minimal, thankful families are being conservative with quarantining when necessary which has kept the school open. 

Most of the public schools and a few private schools in the area have transitioned to being online only for the next few weeks because cases are high. We are praying for this virus to go away and doing what we can to keep life running smoothly in a time of so much uncertainty. 

Our family is committed to doing what is needed to keep the school open and safe. All the classes have practiced Google classroom so if we should need to switch tactics we are prepared but we're hoping for the best at this point which is all we can do. 

The transition to me working has been really great. My job was initially supposed to be part-time, but on my first day, we were notified that Husband's office was closing until the new year. So since he is home anyway and can pick the kids up after school, I am working close to full-time hours while I learn and get acclimated. It's a whole new field to me and there's a lot I don't know yet, but so far, things have gone quite well. 

Every day, I get a little better. 

This week my phone switched to say my name and I got a fob to get in and out of the office without having to barnacle my way in. I had been arriving extra early and just waiting in the parking lot for someone to walk in with. 

Since I haven't spent as much time with the kids, I got a Thanksgiving cookie kit to do with the kids this weekend. Yesterday we gathered and created some cookies and I think they turned out pretty cute considering we are not professionals. My friend owns a cookie company and has these creative cookie kits monthly, but this was our first time participating. 

She included everything we would need, including instructions and there are even videos to walk you through the steps as well. Plus fun Thanksgiving glasses.

It was a fun and yummy activity and I am so thankful we got to spend some time together as a family doing something special. We're all looking forward to this week and some of the fun traditions the season will bring. 

We haven't decorated for Christmas yet. I was vetoed by one resident 8-year-old who is clinging to all traditions very hard in this year of upheavals. While I 100% would have decorated early and love seeing pictures of setups that are already in place, I can see how following our normal routines can be helpful as well. Whatever it takes to bring a little joy and order to the crazy right? 

What's Going On?

 Oh hey there. 

This week has flown by. 

Sunday night ended in an absolutely beautiful sunset. 

And thus my new chapter began! I spent the rest of the week here: 

This is my new cube. (Workstation? I don't know.) 

I wasn't looking for a job mind you, but it found me. And everything kind of fell into place more perfectly than I could imagine. So here I am. Working! 

It's different. But good different. 

Now I am off to enjoy my weekend! 

An Afternoon With My Girl, An Evening With My Family

Such an absolute gift we've been given with sunny days with warm upper 60s, even dipping into the 70s weather. Yesterday M and I spent the entire afternoon and evening outdoors which was wonderful! 

She helped me rake a bunch of leaves and got the pleasure of jumping in the pile. 

It was such a beautiful afternoon! Just little wisps of clounds, and it was raining leaves. Which felt magical instead of sad or gloomy, the way it does when it's quite crisp. 

She practiced her hula hoop some more. And we enjoyed our time so much that M asked if we could have a Solo Stove dinner. That had already been a plan of ours for this weekend so we just moved it up. You see, we have today and tomorrow off school for conferences so it was a Wednesday Friday! 

I got the fire going completely by myself. My first time doing it with no help! I was pretty pleased. 

 And we had a great time eating hot dogs and smores made with Halloween candy. We also sang some campfire songs which sounds absolutely ridiculous, and it kind of was. But in a super cheesy fun way that made my heart explode with happiness. 

These simple pleasures and time with my family is such a joy to me. 

Frozen Art

There's been a lot of art created at my house lately. M got an art kit for her birthday, similar to the one her brother got for his. And they draw and color for hours. We recycle a lot of paper at our house. 

This weekend she drew this picture. Sven. Anna. Elsa. Elsia. Olaf. Ania. Kristoff. (Elsia and Ania are the Barbie-like dolls that are the kid versions of the characters.) 

There's a lot to glean from this art. First, it just makes me happy that she's creating fan art. Secondly, on this election day, it serves as a good reminder to me. 

That no matter how much it seems like we are heading "Into the Unknown" the sun is going to rise tomorrow. And no matter what the outcome, hopefully, people will be willing to "Let It Go" and get through the next 4 years without a whole lot of diatribe and anger. 

Here's the best news of all... no more political ads!! YAY! 

And this drawing also just makes me want to color. So I might. There are certainly worse ways to pass the time.