It's a wrap!

Dad waited until we got home this weekend to wrap his Christmas presents so I could do it for him!  He had wooden ornaments for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with a cash gift.  We started with the great-grandchildren and discovered that we had given one great-grandchild ornaments, but no cash.  Can you believe we guessed the right one on the first try and only had to open one of their packages!  It went down hill from there and the good news is - the presents are now all officially wrapped and we haven't laughed that hard in a long time!

Only Sam . . .

Sam has three district observations this year and his first one was this past week with his friend Helen.  They had their pre-observation meeting on Monday, the observation was on Wednesday and his post-observation meeting was on Friday.  He came home Wednesday just bummed saying it was his worst teaching ever - he even made the embarrassing mistake of writing "boob" on the white board rather than "book".  So he really wasn't looking forward to meeting with Helen on Friday. 

Fast forward to Friday and so many teachers were out sick that they had to cancel all art classes so the art substitute could teach in a grade level classroom.  Who had art?  Sam.  But during his art time, he had his meeting with Helen.  Helen brings a sub with her, also a friend of Sam's, Bev.  That meant that Bev had to teach art for Sam's class.  Sam actually had an art project that he needed done on Friday - he was working with his students on a surprise Christmas gift for their families and he had no idea when he would find time during the day to do it.  All of a sudden, he didn't have to find time.  Bev could do it during Sam's art time!  

Sam came home all smiles because once again, he got out of teaching art!  I honestly think in almost twenty-five years of teaching, he hasn't taught art yet!  He also got an excellent review from Helen along with a smile for the "book" mistake.  And the kids got their art project done so that I can come in tomorrow and help them finish up!  Yay, God!

Merry Christmas from the Africa Mercy in Madagascar!

Remnants of a Sunday afternoon . . .

Today I found the frosted chair - how did we not notice that for four days?  And the sprinkled floor, not to mention the frosted floor?  Obviously the dog wasn't doing her duty! 

At the Post Office yesterday . . .

Fortunately, I had just enough time to run to the Post Office yesterday morning before our Christmas Bible Study brunch.  Unfortunately, when I arrived, I found out that the Post Office didn't open for another 15 minutes!  Fortunately, the first person in line was my neighbor Tom who took my Christmas cards and said he'd buy my stamps, put them on, and let me pay him back later!  No "unfortunately's" there!  Thank you, Tom!

Y Aquatics Christmas Cookie Baking

Was it just two weeks ago that we were asked to host the Y Aquatics Team Christmas Cooking Baking at our house?  And while "No way on earth!" floated through my brain, "Sure!" came out of my mouth.  God was good, oh, so good, and we're here today to tell you all about it!

Micah and I started baking at 1:00 yesterday afternoon, doing cut-out sugar cookies, so that when the crew arrived at 3:00, they'd have something to do.  It was sweet to watch the kids "color" the cookies with frosting - check out the end results!

I do mean kids - somehow they all escaped before I took this picture!  Because it was in the kitchen that the serious action took place!

We made peppermint candy canes, chocolate covered pretzels, 5-ingredient fudge, chocolate caramel cracker bars, pretzel ring cookies and award winning chocolate chip cookies!  When we were utterly exhausted, Dominoe's delivered!  

And yes, we'll be swimming laps all week long!  

When the truth is stranger than fiction . . .

It is December and we are in Minnesota and while I was out with Annie, our dog, this morning - in the dark - I found a man picking up earthworms!  He proudly showed them to me!  And he's not going fishing!  Whoever lives in his aquarium is going to have delicious mid-winter snack!