Saturday, September 13, 2014

Celebration Saturday

Discover. Play. Build.

 I'm so happy that Ruth Ayres started a Celebrate Link-Up on her blog!!!  I will be joining the celebration every Saturday!! 

1.  My first celebration is that I got up this morning to chilly, fall-like weather.  Fall is my favorite season, so I'm loving it!  
 
2.  Monday night girls' night at our local Mexican restaurant was so fun.  This is the group that gathers every Monday night at my house for The Bachelor/The Bachelorette when it's on.  I've sheepishly written about our gathering on the blog before - not everyone approves of that show.  Wink.  But it's been such a fun girls' night for years now, and we love it.  Since there is a big gap between seasons, and we won't get to watch the start of another season until winter, we needed an excuse to get together on Monday night anyway.  With the start of school and all the busyness it brings, it was nice to get out and celebrate friendship.
 
3.  There was a day last week that started out rough, but my last 6th grade class came in and completely turned the day around.  They swarmed around me at the beginning of class, excited about the various books they're reading, wanting to tell me about them. One boy said the book he just finished for small group, Diamond in the Desert, was the best book he'd ever read.  Wow.  He was so excited about it!  I love that.  Another boy loved The Boy on the Wooden Box , the book he had read for the nonfiction piece of our unit on Social Injustice.  I love that kids are enjoying books that are so meaningful.


 The Boy on the Wooden Box  

4.  Early in the week, a fifth grade student brought in a page from a daily calendar that made her laugh.  I wish I hadn't left it at school!! I would've have scanned it and shared it here.  It pertained to empathy, our fifth grade theme topic.  It even enjoyed a play on words, a fish out of water.  I loved that she's looking for connections to empathy.  When I e-mailed her mom, telling her how much I enjoyed it, I got an amazing e-mail back about how much she is enjoying my class and how her daughter is talking about and looking for empathy in all kinds of places.  They even had a conversation about empathy around the book the mom was reading for book club.  That e-mail made my day/week!
 
5.  Speaking of e-mails, my principal copied an e-mail that was sent to her about how pleased a mom was that a concern she had about her fifth grade daughter was addressed by all her teachers.  She went on to say how happy she was that her daughter was in such good care.  My principal put the e-mail in our mailboxes with a thank you.  I thought that was so nice!
 
6.  My husband had dinner at OSU with our daughter, Katie, who just started her freshman year there.  He said she seems to be doing great.  That makes me happy!
 
7.  When he was gone, I came home from school to a surprise package from my husband on the kitchen counter.  I can't take a picture of the actual print, since it's rolled up, but here is the picture from Aaron Becker's website:

 
It's a gorgeous scene from his newest picture book, Quest.  Those who know me know I am a huge fan of Journey, and now Quest.  I can't wait to have it framed and hung in my classroom next to the print I have from  Journey!  
 
8.  On Sunday, the Adult Education Committee team on which I serve put on our annual Fall Kick-Off breakfast for our congregation.  I only play a small part of arranging and serving it, but I'm amazed at how 200+ can get fed a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, and coffee in a short amount of time so they can hear about the Sunday School and Wednesday Night Together class offerings this fall.  It's like a tiny version of the story of the loaves and fishes!!  It's all cleaned up within an hour so the second service can begin in the same room.  It's thanks to the folks who shop for all the food and serving items, pancake makers, table and chair setter-uppers, the youth group who serves the plates, fruit cutters, pan washers, and more. 
 
 
9.  My parents-in-law called last night.  They arrived safely home from a month-long trip to Europe.  They sounded tired, but so excited about their experiences.  We can't wait to see pictures!  They're such great role models for adventure!
 
10.  I love focusing on the celebrations each week.  It definitely helps you hone in on how much good there is.  Happy Celebration Saturday, everyone!
 











 

15 comments:

  1. There's so much joy in your words, Holly!! I love the idea of a Monday night girl's night. Spending time with friends is so important!! Also, Happy Fall to you too...it's also my favorite season. Loving the cool autumn weather!

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  2. Your voice in the writing shows much happiness for this past week, Holly. So glad to hear all about the special celebrations. That girls' night out sounds like you get a hug every week! Have a good weekend!

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    1. That's the perfect way to look at it - a hug every week! ;-)

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  3. What a great week, Holly! My girls night will be at the Garth concert tonight :) I'll have to post about it next week!
    Love that picture in Quest. I just used it with ELL kids, and they LOVED it! I'm so glad to have books like this to share with kids!

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  4. First, thank you for recommending this community! I already love it :) Second, I complete agree that that feeling of fall is almost rejuvenating! I'm definitely a boot, scarf, and pumpkin-everything kind of girl; it's like a new you comes out with the new season.

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    1. I'm so glad you checked it out!! You're going to love being part of celebrating each week. :-)

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  5. I believe that knowing your daughter is ok makes a heart lighter. You hubby sure knows how to make gifts to you. You had such a rich week. I am celebrating and smiling together with you.

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  6. What wonderful celebrations! And that is one terrific gift from your husband. He knows just what to get you! Fall is my favorite season too, though I'm wondering if we're just skipping fall this year since we already had snow this week!

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  7. One, fall is my favorite season as well and I was so excited this morning!! And I love the two books you have in here - Diamond in the Desert and Boy on the Wooden Box. Both are beautifully written.

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  8. I love hearing about all of your celebrations Holly. But I was particularly delighted to hear your husband had purchased this print for you. So thoughtful. What a guy!

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  9. Such a joyful post, Holly. It made me smile to read it. I love that you received such positive feedback from parents (and that your principal thanked you). Sometimes people forget that teachers need a little pat on the back once in awhile too!

    Here's to another great week!

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  10. What a busy and fun filled week. That print is so beautiful and what a perfect gift. Your husband is one smart cookie. I love to hear about the book love going on with your students! :)

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  11. A joyous week! I'll have to check out A Diamond in the Desert (a new title for me). I know how one positive email can lift a week or even a month. I always printed them out, so I could file them away. So nice that your principal shared a positive email with everyone. Girls night out and on a Monday for Mexican food - that's a winning combination. Have a great week!

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