The Storyteller

Today I finished the book "The Storyteller" by Jodi Picoult. It was a great story about forgiveness and honesty as well as an intense description of what life might have been like during the time of the Holocaust. I am in awe of the strength of people particularly in times of great suffering. So inspirational!

Quick Fix When You Need a Dose of Love

Not much can top watching Ellen's generosity on her TV show. Watching one of these can shift me into a mood of gratitude in an instant! Here is one to get you started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGWdmJer1E0

Visiting My Aunt and Uncle

Today, Tony, the girls and I went to Washington, DC to visit my aunt and uncle. My Uncle Tom is in a retirement home for Christian Brothers (similar in nature to priests) in Prince Georges County. We picked him up and then traveled to visit my Aunt Barbara who is currently in a Washington DC rehabilitation hospital following hip surgery. They were both so grateful for the visit and my uncle, who doesn't drive anymore, was grateful for a chance to see his sister. 

Family Time

I so, so, so love having time together as a family. This time between Christmas and New Year's is one of my favorite times of the year. Even if we don't do much, we have a wonderful time with the slower pace and short to-do list. Looking forward to a few more days like this.

My Favorite Gifts of the Year

My homemade gifts from Maya....a story about a girl who starts a campaign to help children in Africa and a special note with a poem.

My favorite moments of Christmas this year

Waking up Christmas morning

Can we come down yet?

Putting together the puzzle

What? We are going to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter??

Looking through some old pictures

Christian and I

The Andreone/Fluette cousins (until February!)

Jules, Brooke, and I

My Dad and I

Delivering Packages for Santa's Anonymous

Today we spent our morning delivering presents to three needy families as part of the Santa'a Anonymous program. We love being able to give back and are so very grateful for all we have!

More Fun with Family

Hanging with the Kansas crew

So, so happy to have time with my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew tonight. Fun memories!!

Thoughtfulness

While we were in New York, Maya needed to use the bathroom. We were in the Chelsea Market and the line there was extremely long. As it was an emergency, we decided to take our chances at the Starbucks across the street instead. When we got there, we saw that the line had about 6 people in it with only one bathroom. Maya shot me a look like "I don't think I can make it Mom!". We waited as each person went in and by the time the person who was in front of her was next in line, Maya was really struggling. The young man in front of us heard our conversation and even though he had waited even longer than we had, he asked Maya if she would like to go in ahead of him. She responded right away "Yes, thank you!" It is always nice to be reminded of the thoughtfulness of others!

New York Trip

So happy to have been able to head to New York for our annual day trip before Christmas. It was a relatively warm day and we got to see some new neighborhoods this time....DUMBO (down under the Manhattan Bridge overpass) in Brooklyn and Chelsea in Manhattan.

Heading to NYC

Columbian and Thai food for  lunch

Yucca fries

Looking at Manhattan from Brooklyn

DUMBO carousel

DUMBO carousel

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge

Brooke checking out the street dancers

Inside Chelsea Market

Heading home with Combos, Orange Juice, and Harry Potter

A very tired Maya

Beautiful story about a child's dream

This story is so beautiful. It really touched me.

A Child's Dream Come True

Proud Mama!!

My girls did such a great job in their holiday program yesterday. They knew their lines and delivered them with great annunciation and attitude! I am so very proud of them (and my students too!)

Crafty Lady

I decided to try two projects from Pinterest for my student gifts this year: a dry erase board and S'Mores. They turned out really well and I am so excited to give them out tomorrow.

Me and My Snuggle Buddies---I LOVE them!

Christmas Tree!

One of my favorite nights of the year!