carving

Last night,Brad and I were the last ones standing for preparing pumpkins and seeds for Halloween. We also watched the Timberwolves fall apart in their game versus Atlanta. They had a good lead heading into the 2nd half and lost by 18.

Texas won game 3 of the World Series. 

Overnight, Mother Nature decided to opt for a winter coat and we have the first snow of the season. Dress warmly everyone! 

Bunco!

I tied for biggest loser with Lisa Kotz at Bunco last night with 14 losses and 4 wins! I chose a reusable bag, a plastic wine glass & a pair of mittens and hat as my prize. 

Dinner was great with chili, cornbread and a yummy salad. Bunco is good for the soul. 

Beth, myself, Marci’s Oklahoma friend and Monica

winter gear getting, dinner with a bestie and meeting a lively pup

On Saturday, Katie, Osten and I traveled to Woodbury to get some winter clothing, have lunch and spend time together. We got both kids new hats, Osten a new coat and sweatshirt, Katie new socks and her Advent socks, Anders Christmas socks. We also got some skin care stuff and lunch at Zupas…yum! 

Then I went shopping at a funky recycled clothing shop in Minneapolis with my friend Maggie and I bought my birthday gift of a pair of pants, dress and apron. 

Home and off to a Halloween party of one of my students. Next, dinner at Melt Pizza in Stillwater with Julie and lastly to get place in Marine to meet her puppy Wilma. It was a full and amazing day! 

5 nights at Freddie’s

Last night Osten and his buddy Eli went to the movie 5 Nights at Freddie’s. I tagged along and got to hang out with two really nice middle schoolers. The movie was entertaining and had a good amount of action and pretty solid acting. 

heading to state Cross Country

Joe qualified for state Cross Country! Go Joe…

model A

We just got our Model A up and running! hip hip Horray! 

staff of dreams

 

Love my staff! At our staff retreat earlier in October. Maggie, Stephanie, Julie, Mitch, Markell, Michelle, Kai, me, Sara, Amy, Rainbow, Molly and Karen 

it’s going to be a great day!

The day is off to a great start. Got my walk in with Petra and the Vikings were victorious last night! They beat the 49ers who were 5-1 and they came in with a record of 2-4. Let’s go…

go Vikings!

 I’m about to go to bed, but I got the absolutely sweetest snap from Hayes Hauser saying “Go Vikings Momma”. They are currently beating the 49ers at the top of the 4th quarter 22-17. Go Vikings! 

eras

I got the chance to spend the afternoon with two friends at the Falls theater watching the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert footage from her LA show. It was very entertaining and fun to spend time with friends. 

day trip to EC

Brad and I went in a day trip to Eau Claire to see Anders and the Blugolds in action at the football game. When we arrived, the team was ahead 14-0, but they ended up losing. Half time was great and then we went shopping and took Anders to dinner at Jade Garden. I bought Brad a Baja Jacket that he mentioned wanting and he was super thankful. Then we took Anders shopping for socks. So fun to spend time together! 

fantastic day!

 

Started the day bright and early for a walk to the Falcon Center to work out, then a walk to school, taught the morning. Then a trip with my class to a road ditch to collect fossils from the Ordovician Period. It was a picture perfect day! 

Ended the day with dinner with Brad, Osten, Katie and I to a Thai Restaurant in Hudson. 

ooh la la…

 

gigantic marching band and a good day at school

 

Got to see Anders’ giant marching band photo and had a really nice day at school. 

Just saw this in social media and want to include. The Ren Academy is the alternative high school and I’m so happy to hear they are engaging with our community!

Taking a hike this past Monday,  at the beautiful River Falls Community  Forest, I happened upon a group of young people and their teachers from the Renaissance Academy. These young adults were not out there for a hike, these kids were working… chopping down and hauling out invasive Buckthorn!

Sweaty, dirty, scratched up AND smiling, they stopped for a moment, greeted me and proceeded to articulately and passionately explain what they had learned about the environmental impact of Buckthorn and how they were helping to make OUR ( residents of RF) forest better!!! Smart kids who love learning in a way that is personally meaningful while giving back to their community!!!

My hike proved to be so much better than just exercise.  It was a terrific learning experience for me on many levels, but perhaps most profound is how remarkable and resilient young learners are when given the right environment surrounded by people who believe in them.  Renaissance Academy is that place!!! As a former educator it was my honor to meet these kids and their teachers! I’m proud to say I live in a community that values education in all forms!!!! 

Way to go you Buckthorn Warriors! Keep up he good work Renaissance Academy

birthday celebrating RF friends

I lucked out big time moving to River Falls and finding a fun tribe of friends. We went out this evening to celebrate Gretchen and Sarah’s October birthdays at juniors. 

Sarah, Angie, me, Gretchen, Michelle, Kim 

cooling down

 

great time at confirmation retreat

Osten went to Luther Point Bible camp this weekend with the kids of Ezekiel Lutheran grade 7-8 confirmation. He reports having a great time. 

confirmation camp for Osten and US Bank performance for Anders

Osten is attending his first of 3 confirmation retreats at Luther Point as he’s preparing to confirm his Christian faith. Our friend Marci is with and shared this photo: 

Brad, Katie and I will be traveling to US Bank Stadium this evening to see Anders and the Blugolds perform. We’re meeting Anders and Ally before the event so we can dine and touch base. Should be a super fun day! 

we love nature walks!

 

Every week our class goes on nature walks. Many students write to me as middle or high schoolers and say these walks are the highlight of their lower elementary career. I also very much enjoy them! 

and that’s a wrap!

Osten’s football season came to a close tonight. They tied with New Richmond 6-6. So fun to watch them in action! 

3-2 heartbreaker

The MN Twins had an amazing season. They finished first in the American League Central. They beat the Blue Jays to advance to the second round of the American League Division Championship series.

They lost game 1 of the ALDS, won game 2, lost games 3 & 4 at Target Field to the Houston Astros. 

What a ride! Thanks for a great season. 

go #10!

 

Osten’s 7th grade football team is playing St. Croix Central in Hammond tonight. The heavyweight team won 14-6 and now Osten’s lightweight team is up 8-0 in the 2nd quarter. 

He plays defensive tackle this evening. 

Now we’re up 14-0. 

The Twins are playing and are down 6-1 game three of the ALCS.