OH, for the Love of Rest

So what did you do Valentine's weekend?  We took a break from our world and headed down to Marietta to visit my Aunt Cyndi and her family-cameraless.  I always forget something when I pack, and that was it this time.  Although I don't have camera documentation, we had a good time.  We did not know, but it was my cousin Sofia's birthday.  She turned 9 on Saturday.  So our plans for a double-date changed to a family outing.

Things are hectic in a house with 5 children ages 9-17.  It's a good hectic, never a dull moment.  We enjoyed going to church with them.  Sometimes it is nice to just go and listen to the lesson with no responsibility in the preparation of them.  We both left spiritually enriched.

At school on Friday, I like to do a "heart attack" with the kids.  I had kids in all states of getting an assignment finished, so I let the one's who were done, have a bit of fun--that also motivates the others to focus and get done. ;)

I had them pick one teacher or adult in the building that gives them a bright spot in their day and to tell them.  On a construction paper heart they wrote their message...then with great stealth, they snuck through the building without getting caught to deliver their message-the attack.   Have you ever seen a pack of 12 year-olds make it through a school building without a peep...it is so fun to watch the twinkling eyes.

My favorite message I received was from one of my boys.  He said, Mrs. Crawford you are a bright spot in my day because you get my humor.  I love coming to your class and working on all the different projects.  Plus, I'm a lot nicer than my brother!  (who I taught 2 years ago)

 Tuesday, our students who wore their pajama inside out, and may or may not have flushed ice cubes...were successful in getting a snow day Tuesday.

 Teachers never complain about a break in the work week either.  I tell you what, 5:30 is always hard dragging the ol' body out of bed.

 Kyle took a personal day and we spent the day together.  We did some traveling around for Winter pics.

It is always good to spend a day together we ended our Valentine's on Tuesday with a dinner at Longhorn in Tallmadge since Kyle needed to get his temple recommend renewed at the stake center.  Super fun weekend and lots of love passed around from school to family.  What a great way to get through the blahs of gray winter skies.

Game Shows, Birthdays and Blizzard?

Kyle and I were in charge of the Ward Social this past weekend.  We broke out of 30+ year tradition.

 The break out, was not out of rebellion, but out of requests from the bishop and ward members.  To move it from Valentine's Day weekend, and to not have a chili cook-off.  We were met with mixed emotions.  Excitement and disappointment...needless to say, we broke tradition and people still had fun.

 It is amazing how much work and planning go into a social.  So about 3:00 we had made our third trip of the week to pick up the remaining things needed.  We were at the building at 3:30 setting up and getting things ready.  Our friends the Jeffery's showed up around 4:30, right as my panic button was just about ready to go, that we weren't going to be ready when people came in and made short work of what needed to be done.  So by 4:45 we had time to take a breather, just before the masses starting rolling in.

 We had around 70+ people come to the social.  They brought in their comfort food and desserts and you know, I didn't even miss the chili.  Then for entertainment we played game shows with everyone

 in the room.  My helper to get people signed up for games decided to pass the clipboard around that had my cheat sheets on it for while the games were going on.  Wonder if anyone one saw answers before the games started....
We played Not-So Newlyweds with four couples who have been married 30+ years.  It was fun to see the answers they gave.

 Kyle emceed the meeting and ran a couple of the game shows, on his birthday.  What a trooper.

 Then we played several minute to win it games with all ages.  Let's make a deal, and family feud.

 We ended up cutting what we planned short, so that we could clean up.  I think it was an overall success.  I told Kyle I hope we aren't in charge again next year!!!!  Planning big parties is not my favorite thing to do.  I ended up staying home Sunday, because my head cold got the best of me.

 As far as birthdays go, it was hectic all weekend.  Kayla and I did convince Kyle that he had to let us buy him a present.  It could be whatever he wanted, so we went over to Mansfield Friday night to get a few shirts.  He work one of them Saturday.

 Monday we went to Applebees to have half-priced burgers to finish celebrating Kyle's birthday.  We had an excellent time.

 Today, we are watching the first significant snowfall of the season.  It is beautiful.  It keeps coming and coming.  Not sure it will add up to a snow day tomorrow...

but one can always hope.