In desperate need of updating!
Well, on Friday my kids visited the North Pole (via the Polar Express). It was pretty crazy! I only had fifteen minutes of lunch recess to transform the classroom into a winter wonderland. I moved around some tables and chairs, strung a strand of white lights from the ceiling, and draped a few streamers around. It really did not look well decorated at all. BUT… since I’m teaching second graders, they thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread! I was amazed when they walked into the classroom amazed (with a chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs”). Of course, I planned WAY too many activities to get done in a rather short amount of time, but the kids sure had fun! The last activity that I had them do was a creative writing activity. I had planned for them to complete the writing activity while eating their holiday treats that they all brought. This is where the day turned from crazy to uncomfortably chaotic. Every single paper that was turned in had cheeto fingerprints on it. Yuck! Plus, second graders are gross and messy! One parent had brought in pudding topped with crumbles of Christmas cake on top, and about five of those were dropped. The hot cocoa spillage was even worse! These kids do not know how to clean up after themselves. Plus, in the portable, we don’t even have a sink! To top off a disgustingly messy party, one of my kids must have eaten too much because on her way out to recess she barfed on the outside walkway. I spent my entire planning time (while the kids were in PE) trying to clean up from their disasterous eating. New rule in Miss Krippaehne’s classroom: No eating. Ever.
Then on Friday evening, Tessa took me to see The Sound of Music at the 5th Avenue Theatre for my birthday. It was so fabulous!!! I was slightly worried about the quality of the show because the original show scheduled for the holiday season (Dr. Doolittle), canceled its tour, so The Sound of Music was brought in as a substitute. What an amazing substitute! Granted, no one can take the place of Julie Andrews, but the lady who played Maria was pretty good. Even better was her real-life daughter who is five years old, adorable, and played Gretel. Imagine this non-actress, real five-year-old who totally steals the show because she is being real! Plus, that musical is just so fabulous anyway… we both cried (of course). Oh, and it was also great when the cast came out for applause after the show because I always wonder “what ever happened to the von trapp family… do they make it to Switzerland???” So it was nice to see that the people were all alive and well… even if it is only a show.
On Saturday I woke up early to sort Angel Tree gifts at church. The church does this prison ministry where we buy gifts (a want and a need) for 210 local children who have one or more parents in prison. Then comes the tremendous task of sorting the gifts according to family, household, and route (the high school kids deliver the gifts later). We had a fabulous team of volunteers, though, and were done in just over two hours.
Later on Saturday I went to Seattle for the Winter Solstice Celebration. It’s a very artsy demonstration of winter solstice. The event is held around the international fountain. They have actors portray each planet and carry a paper lantern (that looks like the planet they’re representing). They then walk (according to the planet’s relative speed and distance) around the fountain (which is turned off). In the bottom of the fountain are a group of fire people (some sort of club or organization) who throw, juggle, bang, and whip fire all around (representing the sun). This whole thing is choreographed to music and a bit of narration, culminating with all the planets coming in towards the sun and lots and lots of fire. Totally cool! Yay for Seattle arts!
When I was driving back from the mall on Saturday night, I saw a big flash of light and the power went out. Then before I knew it, I had driven over the down power line (scary)!
Sunday morning was Voices of Christmas at church… the music was pretty good, but some of the stories were a little long. The drama in place of the sermon was fabulous, however. I think I pay much more attention when they have dramas in church. Plus, the real donkey was totally awesome!
I spent most of the day on Sunday downtown bopping around the city, enjoying the 28-degrees, cold, windy, chilly, winter air. I got some Christmas shopping done and ate lots of good food.
On Monday I slept in (enjoyed that very much). Then I spent most of the day in Southcenter doing more Christmas shopping. It was crowded even on a Monday!!
Tuesday I woke up early and went to visit my student teaching teacher in Tacoma which was totally fun. I miss that school so much and would go back and teach there in an instant if they had any openings!
Then later my mom took me downtown for my birthday and we went to see the Count Basie Orchestra at Benaroya which was totally amazing! I was especially impressed by the drummer (who played an eight-minute solo during one of the songs) and the bassist (who never gets enough recognition, but I’ll bet very few people could move their hands as fast as he could). It was also fun to see the variety of soloists during the concert. My favorites were when two or three brass players would be standing in front at the same time, improving individually, but using each other’s themes within their solos. The way that the soloists listened to one another showed just how talented they all were! There was one trumpet player who I actually worried about… his head looked like it would explode when he hit long, high notes. They also had a vocalist sing for several songs and she was amazing!!!
Anyhoo, the rest of break is pretty much set for me. I will be volunteering at the Stupider Mall (Seatac… er, FW Commons) giftwrapping tomorrow. Friday I volunteer to make a million paper snowflakes at church. Then I bake. Saturday we’re having our usual Christmas Eve party, then church. Sunday it will be family blah, blah. I’m not totally excited about Christmas this year because without Kelsey here it will probably be sort of stupid. After Christmas is the Young Adult Gourmet Dinner, a day of planning, and then the Young Adult Retreat (yay!!!!!). That takes me up to New Years! So if I don’t update until next year, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. Eat cookies. Be warm. Exude joy. Make music. Believe in Magic.
Then on Friday evening, Tessa took me to see The Sound of Music at the 5th Avenue Theatre for my birthday. It was so fabulous!!! I was slightly worried about the quality of the show because the original show scheduled for the holiday season (Dr. Doolittle), canceled its tour, so The Sound of Music was brought in as a substitute. What an amazing substitute! Granted, no one can take the place of Julie Andrews, but the lady who played Maria was pretty good. Even better was her real-life daughter who is five years old, adorable, and played Gretel. Imagine this non-actress, real five-year-old who totally steals the show because she is being real! Plus, that musical is just so fabulous anyway… we both cried (of course). Oh, and it was also great when the cast came out for applause after the show because I always wonder “what ever happened to the von trapp family… do they make it to Switzerland???” So it was nice to see that the people were all alive and well… even if it is only a show.
On Saturday I woke up early to sort Angel Tree gifts at church. The church does this prison ministry where we buy gifts (a want and a need) for 210 local children who have one or more parents in prison. Then comes the tremendous task of sorting the gifts according to family, household, and route (the high school kids deliver the gifts later). We had a fabulous team of volunteers, though, and were done in just over two hours.
Later on Saturday I went to Seattle for the Winter Solstice Celebration. It’s a very artsy demonstration of winter solstice. The event is held around the international fountain. They have actors portray each planet and carry a paper lantern (that looks like the planet they’re representing). They then walk (according to the planet’s relative speed and distance) around the fountain (which is turned off). In the bottom of the fountain are a group of fire people (some sort of club or organization) who throw, juggle, bang, and whip fire all around (representing the sun). This whole thing is choreographed to music and a bit of narration, culminating with all the planets coming in towards the sun and lots and lots of fire. Totally cool! Yay for Seattle arts!
When I was driving back from the mall on Saturday night, I saw a big flash of light and the power went out. Then before I knew it, I had driven over the down power line (scary)!
Sunday morning was Voices of Christmas at church… the music was pretty good, but some of the stories were a little long. The drama in place of the sermon was fabulous, however. I think I pay much more attention when they have dramas in church. Plus, the real donkey was totally awesome!
I spent most of the day on Sunday downtown bopping around the city, enjoying the 28-degrees, cold, windy, chilly, winter air. I got some Christmas shopping done and ate lots of good food.
On Monday I slept in (enjoyed that very much). Then I spent most of the day in Southcenter doing more Christmas shopping. It was crowded even on a Monday!!
Tuesday I woke up early and went to visit my student teaching teacher in Tacoma which was totally fun. I miss that school so much and would go back and teach there in an instant if they had any openings!
Then later my mom took me downtown for my birthday and we went to see the Count Basie Orchestra at Benaroya which was totally amazing! I was especially impressed by the drummer (who played an eight-minute solo during one of the songs) and the bassist (who never gets enough recognition, but I’ll bet very few people could move their hands as fast as he could). It was also fun to see the variety of soloists during the concert. My favorites were when two or three brass players would be standing in front at the same time, improving individually, but using each other’s themes within their solos. The way that the soloists listened to one another showed just how talented they all were! There was one trumpet player who I actually worried about… his head looked like it would explode when he hit long, high notes. They also had a vocalist sing for several songs and she was amazing!!!
Anyhoo, the rest of break is pretty much set for me. I will be volunteering at the Stupider Mall (Seatac… er, FW Commons) giftwrapping tomorrow. Friday I volunteer to make a million paper snowflakes at church. Then I bake. Saturday we’re having our usual Christmas Eve party, then church. Sunday it will be family blah, blah. I’m not totally excited about Christmas this year because without Kelsey here it will probably be sort of stupid. After Christmas is the Young Adult Gourmet Dinner, a day of planning, and then the Young Adult Retreat (yay!!!!!). That takes me up to New Years! So if I don’t update until next year, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. Eat cookies. Be warm. Exude joy. Make music. Believe in Magic.