Renaissance Day

Thursday, February 22nd - Renaissance Day for 5th grade.

First room - Gutenberg's Printing Press. The kids practiced stamping out a quote from people in the Renaissance period - each letter one at a time. They quickly appreciated the wonder of what the printing press meant for the world!

Second room - The Illuminated Letter Workshop. Each kid practiced drawing the first initial of their name as an illuminated letter - a type of embellished manuscript popular in Renaissance writings and found now as the first letter beginning each chapter in some books.

The Queen's Room - The students were treated to a banquet with the queen (aka The Vice Principal). She was great! She had them toast her beauty and perform for her entertainment.

Banquet food and apple juice in a goblet

She had the girls dance ballet, the boys tap dance, and all do the chicken dance! So fun!

Each side of the room had to perform a kick line dance. Jenna's side's dance was not acceptable and they were banished!

After they were banished, they had to bow and curtsey and ask forgiveness and re-admittance to the banquet.

Fourth Room - The Globe Theater. They took turns acting out a couple plays.

Fifth Room - The Sistine Chapel. They each practiced drawing on papers stuck to the bottom of the desks in the same method as Michelangelo. We love these curriculum days - such a fun and special way to learn!

Snow!

Tuesday, February 20th - Second snow day of 2018 for Kevin. Still just a delay for the kids. He was glad to have a 4 day weekend due to Presidents' Day and the snow day.

I just love these snow flocked trees at the kids' school!

After all of this, we could use another weekend!

Thursday, February 8th - We had Thursday family dinner and celebrated our niece's birthday. Then Kellen had a Kidz Choir rehearsal and I had a Bible study fellowship.

Friday, February 9th - I worked an 8 hour shift, then showered and got ready for church date night. Our kids love going to this every year! They wear their pjs to church and bring their sleeping bags for the movie time. Kevin and I enjoyed a peaceful dinner and errands at Costco.

Saturday, February 10th - Kidz Choir sang at a nursing home and handed out Valentines in the morning.

We went to Papa and Mima's house and enjoyed a snowy day of watching KU basketball and the Olympics.

Then, Kevin and Jenna were off to the Daddy/Daughter Ball. 

Kellen wanted to get in on the pictures too!

While they were at the ball, my date took me to the mall for Orange Julius to drink and Chick-fil-A to eat (complete with cow hats). Then we window shopped at Build-A-Bear and the toy store. He has so much to say when sister is not around! We had a fun time and good discussions.

Dancing! 

I love that Papa & Mima's church puts on this ball every year! It's free and so well done!

Sunday, February 11th - Kidz Choir sang at 4 church services (the end of the 8:00, and beginning of the 9:30, 11, and 5)! By Sunday night, we were all wishing for another weekend - only with nothing to do this time!

A Little Break

Friday, February 2nd - Kevin and I were thankful to be able to leave the kids with Papa and Mima and get away to Estes Park for the weekend. We had planned to stop for dinner at Chick-fil-A in Castle Rock, but were pleasantly surprised to see a Raising Cane's right across the street. There was one that opened in Nacogdoches when we lived there and we enjoyed it a lot. Simple menu, but there's nothing like their Cane's sauce!

Saturday, February 3rd - We slept in, watched the KU game, and then hiked to Gem Lake after lunch.

Kevin climbed up this rock with a hole and we took pictures of each other taking pictures. 

We made it! This is my favorite hike in Estes Park. 3.5 miles that I wasn't sure I could do since my foot surgeries. But, I did it! Longest distance since surgery.

Our squinty selfie attempt

While I was happy to have made it and to enjoy the scenery . . .

Kevin ventured out on the iced over lake. 

As we were hiking back, it started lightly snowing. Perfect!

The view from our deck at the Rustic Charm cabin of Wendy's Canyon Cottages. We stayed at another of her cottages for our 15th anniversary and recommend it! After our hike it was great to sit in the hot tub and watch the snow fall! It was so nice to sleep, relax, hike, hot tub, and watch Longmire episodes on Netflix.

Sunday, February 4th - We stopped for lunch at the Chuy's that opened in Westminster last summer. It's one of our favorites from our Austin days. While the atmosphere was too loud, the food was delicious!

Many thanks to Papa and Mima for keeping the kids and entertaining them well - they made Valentine Ginger Bread houses and went bowling amongst other things.

After we picked the kids up from Papa and Mima's, we decided to fulfill the kids' dream of having a little furry pet and we first got supplies for . . .

 and then purchased . . .

a hamster!

Meet Hallie, born 10-31-17, a Winter White Hamster. She blends in with the bedding we got for her. The kids are thrilled! Me, not so much. But, I've been assured that I don't have to have anything to do with her.