2015 Week 50: It's beginning to look . . .

 It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas. . .

Some decorations have found their special place.

Others lay around waiting, hoping to be displayed.

Creative moments to lighten the last week of teaching, resulted in fun new ornaments from last year's photos.

Monday Night Meal at Steph and Karen's has the same effect, especially when this fun family is there.

My year-end letter, written the week of Thanksgiving, started out 2015--Year of the Robot. Half a page listed all the activities and involvements related to the robotics team Mike mentors. And, it's not over! Since then there have been new developments and activities--the possibility of moving the shop and growing the team, seeking more sponsors, inviting guest speakers, and promoting the program. 

Mike sharing at Inspire Academy

I had many fun photography opportunities. A friend asked me to take some photos to include in her annual letter. Well, "Dawling" Dorothy is full of fun even though not able to do or go as much as she'd like.

For six months she has been without most of her teeth, waiting on new ones. For one reason or another her dentures have been delayed, lost, postponed, refitted. . . you name it!

So she wanted to show the many faces she can make!

 The last day of class I tried to get photos of my students being normal, silly, and serious. Turns out latter is hard to do.

"Serios, por favor."

Sunday was a very full day!
Kayla taught 15 dance classes this semester at Cornerstone for the Arts in Muncie, mostly the young and very young. Twelve of her groups participated in the Christmas show. I found perfect seating to capture each performance on camera.

 For more cuteness you can see all my photos on Facebook at Kayla Kern's Dance Students.

Later that evening I was invited to Navidad Latina where I met many students from Latin American countries and took many more photos.

 Michael wanted me to take a picture of one of his meals. This is one of his favorite methods of cooking--roast everything in the oven on this one tray. ¡Muy delicioso!

Mike found time for sculpting creativity. At last he found an image that inspired him and was compelled to get back into his studio. Surprisingly this is the result of only three or four hours.

Only ten days to complete the preparations for the biggest celebration of the year! Let's enjoy every minute.

2014 Week 41: Fun Times

Michael found what he is able to do without bringing on the hip/leg pain. He had a very productive week, spending hours at the wheel throwing honey pots, yarn bowls, and chicken roasters.

I stay well occupied writing, teaching, helping. This was the view from the classroom window when I arrived. You can see highway I-69.

And here is the building as I was leaving later.

The moon was beautiful this week. Mike got up before dawn to watch the lunar eclipse. I did not.

I stopped to visit Kayla and Rebecca on my way to Muncie, and finally got to hold mi preciosa.

Kristie had an opportunity to help out with a program Malachi attended, so I stayed with the boys for a few hours Wednesday evening. We had fun playing together, reading books, listening to music.
And it happened to be Jude's second birthday!

Thursday was a busy day catching up and preparing to be gone Friday.
Mike had made plans for us to go experience the ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful day admiring a variety of art from the 1500 contributions to the event as well as touring the Frederik Meijers Sculpture Park. We were able to take the tour tram.
Later, back in town, we walked around until it became too much for Michael. The city was abuzz with excitement as the event was coming to a close and the winners were about to be announced.
Our focus was mostly on 3D pieces, and I will try to post some of the many photos throughout the week. However, I was drawn to this painting. Can you see a fourth figure?

Saturday afternoon most of the family came together to celebrate Kayla's birthday.

So we got to visit again with Rebecca!

Conversating with uncle Skye

Jude was more interested in the puppy.

Intense play

Another fun week is over, a new one begun.

2014 Week 35: Pain, Pets, Problems, and Precious Ones

Monday Mike tried another therapy session in Indy. He continues to have recurring episodes of excruciating hip pain which limits or interrupts exercise or physical activity.

I loved this scene at Stephan's that evening, everyone enjoying one another's company while waiting for dinner, and Nova the cat surrounded by light, laughter and love. Ah, the life of a pet!

I have wished that for Brutus, but haven't known how to make that happen. The decision to find him a new home, and the way it came about, was quite traumatic. But in the end turned out well and the actual move Tuesday morning went more smoothly than we could have anticipated.
We placed his breakfast in the cage and Mike stayed nearby talking soothingly after closing the door. In the car I sat next to him and kept him calm as he anxiously observed his changing surroundings.
His new home is with our former consuegra (co-inlaw), widowed and living alone. Already that first day he proved to be good company for her.

My first class was that evening and, among other activities, we had fun with some skits that help to associate the Spanish vowel sounds with a situation or scenario they will remember.

There were problems, however, that we are still working through. Tuesday I found out that I had been given a different edition of the textbook than the students. By Thursday although I had access to the internet, I could not figure out how to get the audio to work. Technology has transformed the class room.

A package came from my cousin this week. She found a very old Bible that my grandfather must have given to my mother. There is a sample of her handwriting as a child. I wonder how old she was?

Michael spent two and half days helping Stephan with their well problems. The water had ecoli, and needed to be chlorinated. In order to do that, Stephan had to locate the well, dig it out, disassemble, change some things, put it back together. They ran into beaucoup problems. Hmmm. . . it may have been a good deal to pay to have it done.

Friday afternoon Sam's three younger boys spent the night.

There they go, and here they come. . . over and over. . . back and forth. . . up and down.

Saturday 

"It's too early to let go of blankie. . . or maybe not"

This is the big weekend in Upland--yard sales everywhere. So we went down town, and stopped at a few. The boys picked up a few toys or treasures.  We stopped at Leah's to see how theirs was going.
The best part was to see little precious and her lovely mother and radiant grandmother!

I suspect that from now on my weekly blog will NOT be complete unless it has a picture of baby Rebecca.

Zion remembered the playground at the church so we ended our adventure with a play time there.

After they left, Mike and I had fun running around town on the ATV!

Come back for more about the town festivities next week.